show me your groups, factory vs handload!

[RustyFN]

hey rusty,

tell me about your AR.. is it stock? what have you done to it? I have an M&P 15, it shoots like 6 inch groups from a rest at 100y, all ive tried is cheapo factory ammo so far.

thanks - justin

Justin,

It's a stock AR. It's a Rock River 16" with 1:9 twist. I am shooting mixed brass, 24.8 grains of H-335, bullet is a bulk Hornady 55 grain FMJ-BT. It has been a good accurate load for me so far. That was the first time using the rest. I'm hoping to go to the range tomorrow and try to tighten it up a little more.

 

[crkr]

Justin,

It's a stock AR. It's a Rock River 16" with 1:9 twist. I am shooting mixed brass, 24.8 grains of H-335, bullet is a bulk Hornady 55 grain FMJ-BT. It has been a good accurate load for me so far. That was the first time using the rest. I'm hoping to go to the range tomorrow and try to tighten it up a little more.

Rusty,

That last 3 shot groups looks to be about 3/4 MOA?
Very nice for a stock RRA. I assume you are using optics as opposed to irons?

 

[crkr]

nra,

I have an older M&P 15T and it's stupid accurate for an off the shelf AR.

Last time I shot any factory ammo with it, it was MOA at 200 yds with Rem UMC 55 gr.

Most M&T have a 1/9 twist. What weight bullets are you shooting? Could it be you are shooting heavier bullets than it can stabilize?

 

[RustyFN]

I assume you are using optics as opposed to irons?

Yes. I can't see that far with the irons and these old eyes.

 

[Seedtick]

I don't have any targets around anymore to show it but back when I started loading I was tickled with how much better my stuff shot.

It doesn't really matter though, I was looking at the price of factory ammo a while back and if I didn't reload I wouldn't be doing much shooting.

The last time I bought factory 7 mag ammo it was around $10 a box. You could catch it on sale after hunting season and get it for $8. It's ridiculous what they want for it now!


Rusty,
You part your hair just like I do
right down the middle and W I D E....

Seedtick

 

[crkr]

Yes. I can't see that far with the irons and these old eyes.

ROFL - I feel your pain.

I used to qual with a mid 240s on the KD. Now I get a headache trying to focus on the front sight.

 

[cfullgraf]

I do buy a little factory ammunition for a new rifle. I like to "calibrate" the rifle for the velocity I get with factory ammunition. It is another piece of information I use in developing good loads.

But, I don't keep the targets, either factory or handloads groups. I got enough useless paper stored around my house. i do record the groups though.

 

[grubbylabs]

The only time I buy factory ammo is when I buy a new gun and have not had a chance to load for it. And then it is as cheap as I can find.

 

[RNG]

Hornady Factory ammo does ok but not near as good as handloads. Sorry - No pics of the factory stuff.

18" RRA upper w/YM NM Chrome BCG/Palmetto State Lower w/RRA 2 stage NM FCG & cheap optics- 69gr SMK w/25.5g w748 LC04 Brass.

10 shots 100yds.



20" Remington R25 (actually DPMS) .308 w/RRA 2 stage NM FCG & Cheap optics
168g SMK w/42.2g Varget Win Brass

Testing loads - 3 shots 100yds.



Regards,
Richard

 

[nra-for-life]

wow, my AR does not perform even close to the level of what you guys are showing. i consider myself a pretty decent shooter, i mean off a rest i can get moa, to sub moa groups with my bolt actions, but my s&w mp 15 just seems inherintly innaccurate compared to what you guys are showing me. time to try some different ammo i guess. ive been punching like 6 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[JDGray]

Heres one for you
Shot at 300yrds, Savage 10FP .308, Fed American Eagle 150gr Vs. Handloads. The factory ammo measured 6"

 

[RNG]

Nice

 

[nra-for-life]

JDGrey, nice improvements there!

 

[JDGray]

Thanks! The remaining factory ammo became trade fodder after that

 

[MattTheHat]

Factory ammo is like a frozen TV dinner. It's got everything you need in one convenient package with almost no effort. But you really don't enjoy it.

-Matt

 

[Jasper1573]

.308 at 300 yds w/ 175 SMK in LC brass

About the time I started reloading, I started shooting out past 100 yards, so I don't have any factory ammo comparisons to this, but I prefer shooting the stuff I reload even if factory ammo can match this example.