You're right about everything but the pressures. Take a look at Hodgdon's reloading data and compare 77 and 80 grain loads using the same powder. The differences in pressure are within statistical noise.
RPR 556 Alternative?
- Thread starter sevenplagues
- Start date
With the correct bullets, wind drift is essentially the same as 308 using typical match bullets. Which means nowhere near as bad as some make it out to be.
Hand loading narrows the gap between 6mm and 5.56. Factory 5.56 is definitely cheaper than 6mm but when hand loading both the difference is less.
Gotcha, thought you were saying that hand loaded 223 approaches factory 6mm costs.
I really like my RPR in 223/5.56 and am surprised it didn't sell well.
I have no use for the RPR in any other caliber because there are better options, but for 223 the RPR is great.
It has a lot going for it that you will not find in most other 223's
1) AICS pattern mags lets you run loads over 2.5" OAL when SAMMI spec loads are only 2.25" long... that leaves more room for VLD bullets and powder, that feed from a mag.
2) It already has a long throat... My rifle when new would jam the lands with 80 grain SMKs with an OAL of 2.505"
3) It has 1:7 twist rate... So the twist rate is ideal for those long heavy VLDs that make the 223 balistically identical a 308.
4) It is accurate... at least mine is... About 1/2 MOA with 75 grain Hornady ELDs or 80 grain SMKs and Varget powder.
5) I easily get 2900 FPS with Hornady 75 grain ELDs.
6) I finished in top 30 percent at Meaford PRS match last 2 years with my RPR in 223.
If there is a downside to the RPR 223 is the balance of the rifle is butt heavy and it will not balance on a baracade, so I would recommend a longer and heavier barrel to get that weight forward enough to balance at the back of the forend.
Plan on upgrading to Timney trigger.
I have no use for the RPR in any other caliber because there are better options, but for 223 the RPR is great.
It has a lot going for it that you will not find in most other 223's
1) AICS pattern mags lets you run loads over 2.5" OAL when SAMMI spec loads are only 2.25" long... that leaves more room for VLD bullets and powder, that feed from a mag.
2) It already has a long throat... My rifle when new would jam the lands with 80 grain SMKs with an OAL of 2.505"
3) It has 1:7 twist rate... So the twist rate is ideal for those long heavy VLDs that make the 223 balistically identical a 308.
4) It is accurate... at least mine is... About 1/2 MOA with 75 grain Hornady ELDs or 80 grain SMKs and Varget powder.
5) I easily get 2900 FPS with Hornady 75 grain ELDs.
6) I finished in top 30 percent at Meaford PRS match last 2 years with my RPR in 223.
If there is a downside to the RPR 223 is the balance of the rifle is butt heavy and it will not balance on a baracade, so I would recommend a longer and heavier barrel to get that weight forward enough to balance at the back of the forend.
Plan on upgrading to Timney trigger.
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I think the concensus was that other than the cratering problem, the RPR in 556 is a damn good rifle. Luckily there is an easy fix for that.
As far as alternatives, other than spending a lot more money, I don't think you will find anything that will compete.
Sportsman’s Guide has been selling these for $750 recently, I’ve almost pulled the trigger on ordering one on a few occasions. I think this would be the perfect rifle to introduce my wife or kids into precision shooting...no recoil, cheap ammo and easy to shoot.
I just looked, and they are currently out of stock...I think I’ll order one next time they are in.
So what’s the fix for these “cratered primers?” DIY fix or gunsmith work?
I just looked, and they are currently out of stock...I think I’ll order one next time they are in.
So what’s the fix for these “cratered primers?” DIY fix or gunsmith work?
They are discontinued so the 5.56 is gone for now. The easy fix for the cratering issues is a rem 7.5 primer. Or getting the firing pin bushed would be the correct way to fix the problem. Each rifle is different so get one and see if it craters badly then worry about fixing it.
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