Bolt gun to pair with AR

[MJY65]

I've really been enjoying shooting my JP LRP-07. Very good accuracy, quick follow ups, etc, but I'm getting the bug to work on some precision hand loading. Obviously, the AR platform does not lend itself as well to that part of the hobby. Between lost brass, damaged brass and OAL changes due to getting slammed into the chamber, I've pretty much stuck to factory loads.

My next project may be to get either an AI or TRG. I've read a bunch of threads on comparisons, so not really trying to rehash that part of it. Rather, are there many of you out there that switch between ARs and bolt guns on a regular basis, or do you tend to stick to one style for consistency?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

I shoot both type rifles often. Most range trips I will take a bolt rifle and an AR to the range. I do keep the brass separate from each other in both 223 & 308. I have found that when I reload I have identified a node in the powder charges that I can use in both but my overall lenghts are different.

 

[MJY65]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

The thing I've found with my AR is that chambering almost acts like a kinetic bullet puller. Being precise with the seating depth hardly matters because the bullet comes forward anyway. I hate to crimp on a bullet without a cannelure.

 

[sinister]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

Mike, your variable length problem sounds like your sizing dies are not giving you enough neck tension. In a self-loader this can lead to bullets seating deeper as they hit your feed ramps or the top dead center of your chamber as they're feeding, or kinetic energy and bullet mass is overcoming neck and seating tension and inching your projos forward towards your rifling leades.

You might want to mic your cases and see if a bushing neck-sizing die might help.

I swap back-and-forth between bolt guns and autoloaders.

 

[MJY65]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

Actually, I'm seeing the jump in factory loads as well. Fed GM 168MK will grow about .034 from a single chambering.

 

[sinister]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

Hmmm.

You could try Federal 175 Gold Medal Match -- their overall length is slightly longer than 168s (the projos should touch or only slightly jump). Do you know if JP used a 168 or 175 chamber finish reamer?

Military M852, M118, and M118LR all have a tar sealant in the neck which will keep the projo from moving.

 

[MJY65]

Re: Bolt gun to pair with AR

Good suggestion on the 175. Not sure which reamer was used.