Re: 70gr Berger VLD instead of 75/77gr HPBT?
Aegg50 et al.
Last week I finally dragged out my AR-15 and shot my 70gr VLD test loads. It was raining so hard that a chrono was impossible (I had to hang my paper targets in plastic bags to keep them from falling off the poster). Despite the rain and lack of chrono, my OCW testing yielded some useful results, which I will share below. Temp was 60*F, and wind was 10mph from 6 o'clock, light fine, DA = 500ft. Rifle is AR-15 with 20" Noveske Medium profile barrel, built by Noveske Rifleworks; Timney 1 stage trigger, USO 1.8-10x optic (10x used for testing); bench supported shooting position.
I tested W748 w/ 24.2gr, 24.5gr, 24.8gr, 25.1gr, and 25.4gr. All were loaded to mag length (2.26") in a reloaded Winchester case and a CCI 41 primer. The brass was absolutely beat to hell in this test, so this load, at all charges, is HOT. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the OCW node on this powder turned out to be very narrow and the groups were 0.75" to 1.50" at 100yds. Not very impressive, but I'm sure the bullet was moving FAST.
Next I tested AA2520, another ball powder. This powder was again tested with Winchester cases and CCI 41 primers. Powder charges were24.5, 24.8, 25.1, 25.4. 25.7. Again, the brass was beat to hell, indicating loads are HOT. AA2520’s node appears wider than W748 however but groups were only a bit better than W748, at 0.75 to 1.0” at 100yds. Again, I’m sure the bullet was fast.
Finally, I tested RL15, an extruded powder that my AR absolutely loves. My go-to load is 77gr SMK over 24.2gr of RL15 and shoots 0.50-0.75moa out to 500 when the wind isn’t bad (MV=2700fps). With the 70gr VLD, I tested 24.1, 24.4, 24.7, 25.0, 25.3grs of RL-15. These loads shot AWESOME. 0.50 to 0.75” groups, with a VERY wide node (heck, nearly all 5 charges landed on the same POI). And, encouragingly, almost no pressure signs. Very impressed, again, with RL-15 in my AR.
My next step is to chrono and group test 24.7, 24.9, and 25.1 grains of RL-15. If any of these charges go into <0.75moa group AND chrono at over 2950fps, I’m done. I’m pretty sure I will get the precision, but I don’t know on the MV. I will probably also shoot 3 rounds loaded with 25.0gr of AA2520 (a charge that appears to be right at the center of the node) and 3 rounds loaded with 25.3gr of W748, just to see how fast they are moving and give them one more chance to show me something.
I hope the above is of some use. The 70gr VLD, with the right powder, appears to be a very impressive competition option.
If anyone has any Varget loads to suggest or any other powders, I'd appreciate them.
