Howdy y'all. I've got a brand new barrel on the way and was wondering if you guys had some favorite bullets or heavy loads. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you for your time. -Ben
I have an AR with a Spikes 1/7 twist barrel. I've tried the Nosler CC 77 grain and the SMK 77 grain. for some reason the rifle likes the Nosler better, which is great since they're cheaper. It also likes the SMK 69 grain. As for powder I've tried Reloader 15, Ram Tac, and BL(C)-2. I think the R15 was the most accurate and the BL(C)-2 was the least. I use the loads for 3 gun and the farthest I shoot is about 300 yards.
As far as my eye can take me. But in all seriousness, I'd love to load some for as far out as 600 yards for accuracy. I'd love it even more if they shot just as well at 100 as they did at 600 yards. Price isn't too much of an issue, which isn't to say I'm stingy, but I don't want to spend 60 cents per bullet on something like a Barnes TSX for target shooting.
I've got a .223 Ackley Improved barrel on the way for my T.C. Encore. I'm also wondering, with such a fast twist rate, is there a minimum bullet weight that I should be using? I'd planned on using 69 grain bullets and up, but was wondering if I'd run into issues using lighter bullets.
Like Sloughfoot says, for bullets that'll feed through the magazine, 75 or 77 grain BTHP seem to be the most popular with Sierra Match Kings probably topping the list, although Noslers and Hornady are also good. For 600 yards, some folks like the 80 grain BTHP, but they must be singly fed. Reloder15 and Varget are two popular powders.
Reloder 15 somewhere between 23.5 and 24.5 grains.
77 Sierra MatchKing seated to 2.255" COAL.
For dedicated 600 yard loads, take the 80 Sierra or the 82 Berger, set it up 0.025" to 0.035" OFF the lands, put it in front of 23.5 to 24.5 grains RE-15, and commence to 1/2 MOA shooting.