I'm just getting into reloading with my ar-15. 1/7 twist 16". I'm trying to shoot fairly long range so I'm going to get 75grn bullets for it and I'm really debating between winchester or lapua brass? My other question is what kind of powder would you guys recommend for the "best" out there?
Powder
- Thread starter gsxcorey
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Re: Powder
With a 1/7 you think 80gr will shoot well? I have shot 75gr match hornady it was very accurate. I am not going to get a longer barrel on this as I do plan on getting a rem 700 later on down the road. So with 1/7 16" what gr would you recommend for distance shooting (out as far as possible), 80gr boat tails?
Also with lapua do you think i would still have to sort it?
With a 1/7 you think 80gr will shoot well? I have shot 75gr match hornady it was very accurate. I am not going to get a longer barrel on this as I do plan on getting a rem 700 later on down the road. So with 1/7 16" what gr would you recommend for distance shooting (out as far as possible), 80gr boat tails?
Also with lapua do you think i would still have to sort it?
Re: Powder
Lapua brass is worth the money easily - IF you control other elements of the loading to make it worthwhile. It is foolish to use great cases if everything else is low precision and done quickly without careful setup.
So the answer to your question on Lapua brass is: Yes, it is worth it, all give more precise results, and will last longer, IF you do everything carefully. How careful do you intend to be?
Jim G
Lapua brass is worth the money easily - IF you control other elements of the loading to make it worthwhile. It is foolish to use great cases if everything else is low precision and done quickly without careful setup.
So the answer to your question on Lapua brass is: Yes, it is worth it, all give more precise results, and will last longer, IF you do everything carefully. How careful do you intend to be?
Jim G
Re: Powder
Well, I want to get the most accurate ammo I can. Of course I am learning. I have a press kit on the way and electronics hornady dispenser. I have a feeling I still need some equipment to work on the primer hole, etc. Still doing a lot of reading and learning though. I'll stick with the Lapua then along with 80gr. Back to this thread now...I need to decide on a type of powder. Any recommendations?
Well, I want to get the most accurate ammo I can. Of course I am learning. I have a press kit on the way and electronics hornady dispenser. I have a feeling I still need some equipment to work on the primer hole, etc. Still doing a lot of reading and learning though. I'll stick with the Lapua then along with 80gr. Back to this thread now...I need to decide on a type of powder. Any recommendations?
Re: Powder
gsx,
N-540 with the 80 gr. bullets and your short barrel length will give a better combustion completeness and load ratio than Varget. You'll have to single feed the rounds, because you'll have to load them long, 2.555". Get the Sinclair single feed ramp which will fit an AR magazine and a short spare magazine. You MIGHT reach 800 yds, but for best results stay at 700 or less. Like I said, the barrel length is killing your MV.
HTH,
Docb
gsx,
N-540 with the 80 gr. bullets and your short barrel length will give a better combustion completeness and load ratio than Varget. You'll have to single feed the rounds, because you'll have to load them long, 2.555". Get the Sinclair single feed ramp which will fit an AR magazine and a short spare magazine. You MIGHT reach 800 yds, but for best results stay at 700 or less. Like I said, the barrel length is killing your MV.
HTH,
Docb
Re: Powder
I'm fine with 700yards. Just curious, but could I load an 80 at a length that will work with mags or will all 80grs have to be loaded long and only work single fed? Thanks! Just want to make sure I get the right stuff right off the bat so I don't end up with too much brass/lead/powder that I won't use.
After reading it looks like 80gr smk with varget would be a great set up. Just curious if I 100% will have to load individually? Or can they be loaded at a length to use mags?
I'm fine with 700yards. Just curious, but could I load an 80 at a length that will work with mags or will all 80grs have to be loaded long and only work single fed? Thanks! Just want to make sure I get the right stuff right off the bat so I don't end up with too much brass/lead/powder that I won't use.
After reading it looks like 80gr smk with varget would be a great set up. Just curious if I 100% will have to load individually? Or can they be loaded at a length to use mags?
Re: Powder
GSX,
I caution you. Answer this question and it will lead to your ultimate happiness: Do you want to spend your time loading and "figurin'" or do you want to enjoy shooting? Which is more important to you?
We all have our "anal" side, and some of us will tell you that unless you trim your brass to the gnat's ass, weigh your powder to the 1/10000000 of a grain, seat your primers to the n'th degree, achieve concentricity to NO MORE than 0.002" inches, then your reloads aren't worth a hoot.
BS- Enjoy the ride and see for yourself how easy or hard you want to make it. Go to the extreme and try some WW and Lapua brass in the SAME magazine or loading block. See how much difference that brass makes to YOU at X yards. Try loading up and down half a grain in the same loading block and SEE for yourself how much difference it makes to YOU.
Chill out and enjoy!
GSX,
I caution you. Answer this question and it will lead to your ultimate happiness: Do you want to spend your time loading and "figurin'" or do you want to enjoy shooting? Which is more important to you?
We all have our "anal" side, and some of us will tell you that unless you trim your brass to the gnat's ass, weigh your powder to the 1/10000000 of a grain, seat your primers to the n'th degree, achieve concentricity to NO MORE than 0.002" inches, then your reloads aren't worth a hoot.
BS- Enjoy the ride and see for yourself how easy or hard you want to make it. Go to the extreme and try some WW and Lapua brass in the SAME magazine or loading block. See how much difference that brass makes to YOU at X yards. Try loading up and down half a grain in the same loading block and SEE for yourself how much difference it makes to YOU.
Chill out and enjoy!
Re: Powder
I completely agree with you. Honestly i'm not trying to shoot competitively or hit a fly at 800yards. I just want a good solid 80 grain bullet to hit a good range. That's why I'm just wanting to make sure I get the right tools then I was going to load several different powder weights in from low to high and see what i'm the most accurate with and then go with it and enjoy it.
I really don't want to be loading individually all the time. That's why I'm asking, with an 80gr would i have to load individually? Or can you load an 80gr in lupua/ww brass so that a mag will take it?
I completely agree with you. Honestly i'm not trying to shoot competitively or hit a fly at 800yards. I just want a good solid 80 grain bullet to hit a good range. That's why I'm just wanting to make sure I get the right tools then I was going to load several different powder weights in from low to high and see what i'm the most accurate with and then go with it and enjoy it.
I really don't want to be loading individually all the time. That's why I'm asking, with an 80gr would i have to load individually? Or can you load an 80gr in lupua/ww brass so that a mag will take it?
Re: Powder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm fine with 700yards. Just curious, but could I load an 80 at a length that will work with mags or will all 80grs have to be loaded long and only work single fed? Thanks! Just want to make sure I get the right stuff right off the bat so I don't end up with too much brass/lead/powder that I won't use.
After reading it looks like 80gr smk with varget would be a great set up. Just curious if I 100% will have to load individually? Or can they be loaded at a length to use mags? </div></div>
The C.O.A.L. for the 80gr SMK's is 2.550" so your going to have to single load them. The 77gr will work in your mags.
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm fine with 700yards. Just curious, but could I load an 80 at a length that will work with mags or will all 80grs have to be loaded long and only work single fed? Thanks! Just want to make sure I get the right stuff right off the bat so I don't end up with too much brass/lead/powder that I won't use.
After reading it looks like 80gr smk with varget would be a great set up. Just curious if I 100% will have to load individually? Or can they be loaded at a length to use mags? </div></div>
The C.O.A.L. for the 80gr SMK's is 2.550" so your going to have to single load them. The 77gr will work in your mags.
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
Re: Powder
Awesome. I'll try the 77gr's with the lupua or winchester brass and see how it goes. I need to figure out if the lupua is worth the money now...decisions decisions.
Using that link you posted with the 77gr should i just start with their accuracy load and go from there? With the powder they recommend and all? I would think it would be agood starting point?
Accuracy Load Viht N140 24.1 2600 1156
BTW all thx for the replies. I know some of this is newbie stuff, but it really helps hearing as searches are allowing me to learn a lot, but a lot are opinions and it's hard to know what is legit and what is not. Always loved this forum searching around so I thought I would come here to fine tune my final decisions. Glad I did as learning about the single reloading moved me away from the 80gr (for now).
Awesome. I'll try the 77gr's with the lupua or winchester brass and see how it goes. I need to figure out if the lupua is worth the money now...decisions decisions.
Using that link you posted with the 77gr should i just start with their accuracy load and go from there? With the powder they recommend and all? I would think it would be agood starting point?
Accuracy Load Viht N140 24.1 2600 1156
BTW all thx for the replies. I know some of this is newbie stuff, but it really helps hearing as searches are allowing me to learn a lot, but a lot are opinions and it's hard to know what is legit and what is not. Always loved this forum searching around so I thought I would come here to fine tune my final decisions. Glad I did as learning about the single reloading moved me away from the 80gr (for now).
Re: Powder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome. I'll try the 77gr's with the lupua or winchester brass and see how it goes. I need to figure out if the lupua is worth the money now...decisions decisions.
Using that link you posted with the 77gr should i just start with their accuracy load and go from there? With the powder they recommend and all? I would think it would be agood starting point?
Accuracy Load Viht N140 24.1 2600 1156
BTW all thx for the replies. I know some of this is newbie stuff, but it really helps hearing as searches are allowing me to learn a lot, but a lot are opinions and it's hard to know what is legit and what is not. Always loved this forum searching around so I thought I would come here to fine tune my final decisions. Glad I did as learning about the single
reloading moved me away from the 80gr (for now). </div></div>
I've never used N140 in my match AR but AA2520 and Varget worked well for me.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome. I'll try the 77gr's with the lupua or winchester brass and see how it goes. I need to figure out if the lupua is worth the money now...decisions decisions.
Using that link you posted with the 77gr should i just start with their accuracy load and go from there? With the powder they recommend and all? I would think it would be agood starting point?
Accuracy Load Viht N140 24.1 2600 1156
BTW all thx for the replies. I know some of this is newbie stuff, but it really helps hearing as searches are allowing me to learn a lot, but a lot are opinions and it's hard to know what is legit and what is not. Always loved this forum searching around so I thought I would come here to fine tune my final decisions. Glad I did as learning about the single
reloading moved me away from the 80gr (for now). </div></div>
I've never used N140 in my match AR but AA2520 and Varget worked well for me.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/
Re: Powder
You can also take a look at Ramshot powder, They make Ramshot TAC for heavier .223 bullets, I've been looking into them after reading a lot of good things about their powder and I suggest you do the same.
You can also take a look at Ramshot powder, They make Ramshot TAC for heavier .223 bullets, I've been looking into them after reading a lot of good things about their powder and I suggest you do the same.
Re: Powder
Varget works great. I wouldnt spend the extra on the lapua brass for a gas gun. You are going to trash it and loose it. In reality
you should just buy a bunch of once fired lake city sort it into groups by weight and fire away. I know a bunch of Highpower competitors who do just that with great success.
Varget works great. I wouldnt spend the extra on the lapua brass for a gas gun. You are going to trash it and loose it. In reality
you should just buy a bunch of once fired lake city sort it into groups by weight and fire away. I know a bunch of Highpower competitors who do just that with great success.
Re: Powder
I switched fro h335 to cfe223. I was amazed with velocity increase and accuracy. Although i am shooting 69 nosler cc's. I am bug holing at 200 and easily ringing 9" plate at 600.
I switched fro h335 to cfe223. I was amazed with velocity increase and accuracy. Although i am shooting 69 nosler cc's. I am bug holing at 200 and easily ringing 9" plate at 600.
Re: Powder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aloreman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I wouldnt spend the extra on the lapua brass for a gas gun. You are going to trash it and loose it. </div></div>
I put my open rifle case up to the right of my shooting position. It catches almost all the cases, and prevents them from getting any damage from walls and floors.
Dents in the rim caused by your rifle's ejection cycle can be easily removed via th (standard) expander ball in a sizing die.
But I agree, it is more of a challenge keeping your cases from getting lost of dinged when you are using a gas gun.
Jim G
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aloreman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I wouldnt spend the extra on the lapua brass for a gas gun. You are going to trash it and loose it. </div></div>
I put my open rifle case up to the right of my shooting position. It catches almost all the cases, and prevents them from getting any damage from walls and floors.
Dents in the rim caused by your rifle's ejection cycle can be easily removed via th (standard) expander ball in a sizing die.
But I agree, it is more of a challenge keeping your cases from getting lost of dinged when you are using a gas gun.
Jim G
Re: Powder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think the lapua brass is worth the extra cost over the winchester? I don't mind spending the money if it will yield more reloads or a noticeable accuracy difference. </div></div>
In an AR I doubt you'd see any difference between (expensive and hard to find) Lapua brass and Winchester (or some other commercial brand).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think the lapua brass is worth the extra cost over the winchester? I don't mind spending the money if it will yield more reloads or a noticeable accuracy difference. </div></div>
In an AR I doubt you'd see any difference between (expensive and hard to find) Lapua brass and Winchester (or some other commercial brand).
Re: Powder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ehparis</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think the lapua brass is worth the extra cost over the winchester? I don't mind spending the money if it will yield more reloads or a noticeable accuracy difference. </div></div>
In an AR I doubt you'd see any difference between (expensive and hard to find) Lapua brass and Winchester (or some other commercial brand).</div></div>
I agree 100%, if you are not shooting it out of a bolt gun, lapua brass is a waste of money
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ehparis</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gsxcorey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think the lapua brass is worth the extra cost over the winchester? I don't mind spending the money if it will yield more reloads or a noticeable accuracy difference. </div></div>
In an AR I doubt you'd see any difference between (expensive and hard to find) Lapua brass and Winchester (or some other commercial brand).</div></div>
I agree 100%, if you are not shooting it out of a bolt gun, lapua brass is a waste of money
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