Speed vs weight?

W

William Suter

Well-known member
I took my AR out yesterday with 6 different loads. Different powders and different bullets that range in weight from 50 grains to 75 grains. My rifle has a 1-8 twist and Wylde chamber. First off, the factory Hornady Black 75 grain shot the worse so they are out. The 69 grain SMK with R15 shot the best with 1 1/8" groups and the 55 BlitzKings shot 2nd with a 1 1/4" group. Granted, not the best groups by my standards but plenty good for what I plan to do with the rifle which is coyote and pigs and range time. The BlitzKing is probably a better hunting bullet over the SMK and a little faster than the SMK, but the SMK may hit a little harder. So which one would you choose or would you keep trying for a different load? On another note, I haven't looked for R15. It may be on the endangered list and I don't have much left.
 
You will have a difficult time getting your hands on any RL15. I would try IMR 4064 and the Sierra 55gr HPBT (#1390). I don't shoot my AR a lot as I am more of an old school bolt gun guy but I do have a load worked up using the above for my 223 and it is really accurate. I also shoot this bullet a lot in my 220 Swift and can attest to how well it does on coyotes.
 
I've favored Hornady bullets and a few Sierra bullets, for my best accuracy loads. The Hornady V-Max bullet design has more bearing surface on the sides of the bullet, which may be the reason for the increased accuracy. :unsure: The next closest bullet design is the semi-pointed bullet, in a Sierra, but it's not offered in their Blitzking, which is closest to the Hornady V-Max.

I used to have a RRA AR-15 in 5.56 Wylde with a heavy 16" barrel, in a 1:9 twist and it liked 45, 50 and 55 grain bullets. IMR-3031 seemed to produce nice groups with the 55 gr. V-Max. It would produce 1/2" groups at 100 yards with Winchester (white box ammo), at 3600 fps, which is their 45 gr. JHP bullets. This is as close to your R15, as I have to offer. :)
 
I just did a quick search and R15 is history. Some say Varget is really close but I tried the SMK's with Varget and results weren't that good. Oh well, I love a challenge.

Let me back up a little. I did see an 8 or 5 pound jug (can't remember) for $455. I'll keep searching.
 
Whatever trips your trigger, and 1/8" can change from day to day. And again 55 to 65 grain is a wash. In stead of investing in powders I'd try some flat base soft-points 55 to 62 grain. Sierra Game Kings and Instead of Blitz Kings
 
Having used SMK's for over 25 years in competition, I have taken Sierra at their word as far as SMK's performance as a hunting bullet and chosen to use them for their intended purpose (target shooting) with excellent results.
MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are not recommended for most hunting applications. Although MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are commonly used for varmint hunting, their design will not provide the same reliable explosive expansion at equivalent velocities in varmints compared to their lightly jacketed Hornet, Blitz or Varminter counterparts. SIERRA
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I would highly recommend H335 in the .223. Have used the same load in five different rifles (4 AR's and one bolt gun) with excellent results. Two "out of the box" PSA M4 uppers shot moa (5 shot groups) and another unknown upper shot the same, all on lower kits w/home tuned mil spec triggers.
The Savage shot .5-.75" groups and the Bushmaster Predator w/Timney 3.5# trigger, in which I worked up the load, shot .5 or better. IIRC all those barrels were 1:8 to 1:9 twist. Can't tell you how many hogs were shot with that load and more coyotes. The NBT is the only bullet I ever used for hunting and it was no slouch in accuracy dept. either.
1746207047333.jpeg
ETA: H335 flows like water through your measure, eliminating any need to weigh charges.
 
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That’s really sad to hear about the RL15. That has been my go to powder for the last 15 years in my .22-250 Ackley. Absolutely the best speed and accuracy of any powder I’ve used. Before I cut the barrel off for my Suppressor I was shooting 60 grain Bergers at 3800 fps with a 26” barrel. After I cut the barrel to 21” it’s running 3650 fps with those same 60 grain Bergers. And here’s a 5 shot group right after I bought my suppressor.

I still have about 7lbs of RL15 left so I’m good for a while.

Good Hunting Chad
 

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I found another really good load with a 55 grain Sierra SP and AR-Comp. Its another Alliant powder that's no longer available. Just my luck.
 
many years ago I loaded up some 6x55 Swede with some Sierra matchking140GR hpbt for antelope hunting. Man they would group really well however, shot 1st antelope in the neck and he run like he hadn't been hit, stopped and I put another in the boiler room and he DRT. The 1st shot to the neck didn't expand and that was the last time I used SMK for hunting. Sierra doesn't recommend neither do I, LOL
 
1-8 twist hmm the 69 and 77grs SMK should have the correct length for accuracy, the 55grs and below should be too short (according to the miller formula, unless it's not a lead based bullet).
Powder ? H335, CFE223, 60 to 69gr personal preference is H335....... IMR 8208XBR for the Heavies (77 -90grs) although CFE223 does work well.
might try the H335 with the Sierria 62gr Gameking (somewhere close to 25.2grs should be joy with the 60ish grainers)
 
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