AR15 reloading

N

NineDriver

New member
Hello all,
So I'm going to start reloading for my AR15 (see hornady 53gr v-max thread). This will be my first time reloading for a semi-auto rifle as I've always been a bolt rifle guy. I'm used to using the Hornady OAL gauge for determining my bullet's OAL. However, upon doing some research, it appears to me that on the AR-15 (or other semi-autos) that the mag will be the limiting factor for the OAL unless you want to single load? I plan on using a mag for multiple shots, hence the reason I bought a semi-auto...so, Is there a standard OAL that most people use? Do I go to whatever will fit the mag? Or max OAL? I'm kind of confused looking for clarification. Also, any other AR15 reloading tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
 
Be sure you are using a full length sizing die, or you'll be using a lot of fowl language. I use 2.25 for OAL in my ARs. I seem to have less feed issues.
 
cherokee, thanks for the tip. I bought some unfired LC brass but i plan on running them through the sizing die to be sure the neck/mouth are true.
 


Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947

Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.

It's true that AR's are not bench rifles, but good ones can shoot bughole groups with consistent ammo and clearly benefit from hand loading.
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947
Why load for an AR?


Because I think reloading for anything is very satisfying. Using something I put together that shoots small groups or thumps a coyote is rewarding. Granted I didn't make the bullet, powder, primer and case but I assembled them into an accurate component. My ARs may not be bench rifles but they are pretty accurate at 5/8" at 100 yds. The first shot is always a "one hole group" but after the second shot it opens up. LOL
Flyrodder
 
Tap is way over priced, and when u can load a box for 5-6$ that shoots great you can shoot more and more often. Mine shoots pretty consistant 1/2 moa and the occasional 3/4 moa group when i mess up out to 400yds. It never sees a bench.
 
Remington UMC 55g fmj = 2.0 inches at 100yds. Reloads useing 55 gr dogtown or varmint nightmare bullets and varget 1/2 to 3/4 moa.in two diff. ar's.
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947

Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.



I'm looking in to it because of ammo availability in my area. I have few decent sporting goods stores around me and I cannot find what I am looking for in them. Heck I went to three stores yesterday and not a single vmax bullet to be found!

I always used the lee loader kits ant they worked great, but it is not sizing properly for my AR. So I will be looking for a basic press.
 
Besides full length resizing, and OAL, what are going to be e major factors I should look for in feeding and cycling? I tend to load mid range on powder weight when loading. Will I need to go slightly hotter (not exceeding max of course) to work well?

Are ARs particular about powders?
 
I use small base dies and ball powder. 748 or H335. 40,50 gr V-max and 52 gr HPBT bullets in my 1/8 twist barrels. I have a Dillon 450 press and a balance beam scale to set the powder measure. You may not need a progressive press but I recommend getting a Dillon. They have great customer service and a quality product.
Flyrodder
 
The reason i reload for my ar is because i have never found a factory load that even comes close to what my reloads shoot.
 
Base loads can function well and give great accuracy. You dont have to load them hot to get good function and accuracy. Iv gotten great groups with .40gr v max and a base load of benchmark.
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947

Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.



True you can find a few decent buys here lately, but if you already have the brass it is considerably cheaper to reload.

There are also a lot of people that reload that do not shoot BR.

Most AR's are as accurate as most bolt guns IMHO.
 
Originally Posted By: RowdyRawhideOriginally Posted By: willy1947

Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.



True you can find a few decent buys here lately, but if you already have the brass it is considerably cheaper to reload.

There are also a lot of people that reload that do not shoot BR.

Most AR's are as accurate as most bolt guns IMHO.




It would be nice if all factory bolt guns would shoot as well as my AR RRA PP 20" barrel. I got lucky with the one I bought. My 22-250 heavy varminter shoots a hair better than my AR.Both shoot under 1/2 MOA @ 100 YDS.


Yes I reload for the AR cause it is fun and my loads shoot better than factory rounds.

DAB
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947

Why load for an AR?

Lake City 5.56ammo is cheap to shoot paper.

Buy some TAP or SSA for hunting.

You are not going to shoot 500 yotes in one day. I am lucky to get two shots on a good day.

I reload but for my bench rifles. It makes holes too but real close together. AR's are not a bench rifles.


A shotgun can put holes in paper. My handloaded AR will put them in the same place. Terminal performance is as much of a reason to handload as accuracy and cost savings. My choice of components is usually done to get a desired effect on game animals and varmints, not just put a hole in them. A box of store bought ammo is loaded to be safe in every gun of that caliber from your Grandad's Sears and Roebuck single shot to a current production rifle regarless of mag length or throat. Those boxes of ammo also don't measure every round to a 1/10 of a grain like I do or have the desire to be made perfect by someone running a machine at minimum wage who'll never shoot the rounds. I've had misfires and squibs out of factory ammo, not in my handloads. As for an AR not being a bench gun, you might want to tell Jerry Miculek and David Tubb and the AMU that
lol.gif
 
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