Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

[Tactical30]

I had just recently got into reloading, mainly for my .223 AR-15's, 6.5 Grendel AR-Platform, .300WM Bolt gun.

After reading 3 or 4 reloading books (Sierra, Hornady and Speer) I see there is tons of different things you could do to obtain accuracy. The Sierra book was the only one that had its little section just on Gas Gun reloading but what I was wondering how much do you have to do (reloading steps) to get the best accuracy out of your <span style="font-weight: bold">AR?</span>
I use the Forester BR Dies for the .223.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">The usual steps I do as follows when reloading .223:</span>

1.) Full Length resize new brass/used brass with Redding Wax (Forester BR Dies, Rock Chucker RCBS Press)
1a.) Clean excess wax/lube off.
2.) Trim brass (if Needed) on RCBS Automatic (motor) trimmer.
3.) De-burr/Chamfer, Flash hole deburr, Primer pocket clean (if used brass).
4.) Prime using hand held RCBS Priming tool.
5.) Throw powder (RCBS uniflow powder thrower) onto RCBS 5-0-5 Scale.
6.) Pour powder from 6" Frankford Drop tube
7.) Seat bullet (Forester BR dies)
8.) DONE into MTM case holder.

I know there are <span style="text-decoration: underline">MANY</span> other little tools you could use for reloading but im wondering if they are a waste of time for reloading for an AR. <span style="font-style: italic">Although I want to get the best accuracy.</span>
Im getting as good if not better accuracy out of my reloads as I was with the factory ammo so I dont know how much better you could get. Im usually shooting .5 - 1MOA @ 100yrds sometimes better, best 5-shot group at .35"

I shoot out of an 18" WOA bbl and I only target shoot. The Black Hills 69gr. factory bullet and the Federal Gold Medal Match 69gr. shot the best as far as factory ammo goes .
As I know started to reload I picked up a bunch of 69gr. and 77gr. Sierra MatchKing bullets to try with Winchester brass, Federal 205M Primers, Varget, Benchmark, BL-C(2), H-335, H-322, Win748, RL-15, H-4895, IMR 4198 is what I have for powders to test.
Enough to drive you crazy or addicted!

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

 

[DocB]

Re: Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

LR30,

.223s will respond well to simple case prep. Sorting cases by weight in 0.5gr increments is the fastest and easiest way to improve consistency. 69gr. SMKs work well with N-140 and WSR primers. Uniforming primer pockets and flash holes are one time only ways to also improve consistency.

HTH,
DocB

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

I've been loading since 1972, but never as much as I am now. Way pass the idea of it just cost less. Now it's a combo of cost and accuracy. Whether it's luck or just enough to get where I want to be is up in the air. I don't shoot 1K as much as I think it would be the ultimate challenge.

For the 100 yard range I have access to, simple brass prep, powder selection and some attention to detail has worked fine. Keeping range brass trimmed to feed is the biggest hassle. I guess if I were a benchrest, or 600 yard shooter, more would go into it. Also, when I start to shoot longer distances, more may have to be done.

Trim and clean the brass, load with a powder that meters well in a 550 (TAC, BLC-2), and whose burn rate is compatible with the pill weight,select a pill that shoots in a 1:8 twist barrel; and the rest is shooting technique. It's that simple., for the AR's. For bolt at 100 yrds., +/- .2 grans of powder has not seemed to make a difference., as long as 1/2 inch max groups are enough. Lucked up on a few loads that are .350 consistently, but that was, perhaps, by chance. Now that I know I can do better, a bit more care should make .250 groups a fairly consistent accomplishment.

I am impressed with the shooters who weigh cases,and separate them by headstamp, and lot numbers, and trikle to the exact charge weight. . I'm not there yet; it probably doesn't take that long. One member said it, I'd rather spend the time shooting, so progressive loading works for me.

 

[Jedi]

Re: Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

my AR stuff is loaded via full progressive LNL

BUy brass in bulk already trimmed/sized

600 rounds in hour pert easy

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

Jedi, I bet I have asked you this, what's your load question. Powder is really what I want to know? You know BLC-2 and TAC meter better than RL-15, so what's your progressive powder? I'm sold on TAC.

 

[Jedi]

Re: Getting the best out of your AR-15/ Reloading

BenchMArk