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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 77gr SMK is the gold standard for 223 precision loads, but what about Barnes Matchburners? (Page 4 of 4)
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Quoted: I tried MP518 at 25.1 and 25.3 last night as well as 22.8 of Shooter's World Tactical Rifle. Also tried some more AAC 77gr OTM as well as a box of AAC 77gr SMK. The SMK was consistently 1.014-1.34". My best AAC OTM group was .936", but 1.5" to 2" was common. I think this Patriot Valley Arms barrel may prefer 69gr bullets as FGMM shot the best and my RMR 69gr mixed brass loads consistently shoots .9"-1.3" or so. That said, I think a couple things are going on with the Barnes. 1) I am just not a good group shooter. I have known that for a while, but I am not consistent. 2) I think the Barnes is not going to get to 1" consistently. I think a 1.3"-1.5" load for me with a good barrel will be doable (with my powders on hand). I will try 25.1, 25.2, and 25.3 of MP518 again after cola warrior northwest next weekend and just settle on one of them. I will then test it in my Geissele 10.3" and 12.5" barrels as well as Spike's/FN 11.5" barrel. I have 4K of these bullets and 8# each of H335, Shooter's World Tactical Rifle, MP518, and StaBall Match. I doubt I will want to try another powder unless pricing and availability changes and I do it after running through 2K bullets with the MP518. I should try StaBall Match again and maybe drop the loads a little from 25 and 25.2 just to see what happens. It all depends on what you want to do with the Barnes. If it's to use them for SHTF (which is my intent since it doesn't group that well for me either), is it really important to shoot sub-MOA groups? Smaller is obviously better, but I wouldn't toss and turn over it. FWIW: I get crazy high velocities with TAC, but the accuracy kind of falls apart. I hit 2900fps with TAC out of a 20" barrel with the Hornady 75gr BTHP. |
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Quoted: It all depends on what you want to do with the Barnes. If it's to use them for SHTF (which is my intent since it doesn't group that well for me either), is it really important to shoot sub-MOA groups? Smaller is obviously better, but I wouldn't toss and turn over it. |
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Not sure of the distances OP bullets are to be shot. For 100 and 200 yards at bench in .223/5.56 AR semiauto lighter flat base bullets may be worth consideration. In my 17" Lilja barrel (Wylde chamber 1:8 twist) I am finding the Berger 52 Grain FB Target Rifle Bullet to be the most accurate at those distances. Lilja cases (bench prepped), FGMM primers and a loading of H4895 it likes. I would need to look up the data. These flat based Bergers are better than 77gr SMK in that barrel out to 200. |
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Quoted: Not sure of the distances OP bullets are to be shot. For 100 and 200 yards at bench in .223/5.56 AR semiauto lighter flat base bullets may be worth consideration. In my 17" Lilja barrel (Wylde chamber 1:8 twist) I am finding the Berger 52 Grain FB Target Rifle Bullet to be the most accurate at those distances. Lilja cases (bench prepped), FGMM primers and a loading of H4895 it likes. I would need to look up the data. These flat based Bergers are better than 77gr SMK in that barrel out to 200. I tried the Hornady 60gr VMAX for the first time this weekend and they were good - but not outstanding. The Hornady 75gr BTHP turned out an incredible group. Maybe I'll get lucky and it groups just as well as the SMK for me. |
| Bone Frog Gun Club has their own line of ammo to include 77gr loaded with the Barnes Match Burner. They've posted some pretty incredible groups on reddit and social media, so I ordered a box of 50 to test in my barrels to see how it does. If it shoots well I may pull a bullet to see what the powder looks like and weigh the load. |
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Not sure why I haven't seen this before. Granted a load ladder wasn't done with each powder to find the best load, but adds some to the notion that the Barnes may not be a bullet to chase sub moa with. http://natoreloading.com/77matchcomparo/ I received the Bone Frog ammo as well as a new scope (MK6HD 3.6-18), but I haven't zero'd yet as I ordered the 18" SPR barrel Geissele released last Friday to go in my rifle instead the the Patriot Valley Arms barrel I just put in it  |
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Quoted: Not sure why I haven't seen this before. Granted a load ladder wasn't done with each powder to find the best load, but adds some to the notion that the Barnes may not be a bullet to chase sub moa with. http://natoreloading.com/77matchcomparo/ I received the Bone Frog ammo as well as a new scope (MK6HD 3.6-18), but I haven't zero'd yet as I ordered the 18" SPR barrel Geissele released last Friday to go in my rifle instead the the Patriot Valley Arms barrel I just put in it The initial impression of the Hornady Aeromatch is even worse! |
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Quoted: The initial impression of the Hornady Aeromatch is even worse! |
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Well, got my new 18" Geissele SPR barrel out for the first time today. Tested the Bone Frog 77gr Barnes match burner and in it. This was rounds 26-30 through the barrel. This was on a bipod with no rear rest. Bullet is capable, so I've got another load ladder to test through it. Attached File Attached File Also put a group through my Geissele 12.5" build. This has a PLxC with Griffin Mil reticle. Not a fan of the chevron for shooting groups. I 100% pulled the low shot, so I'll reshoot in both rifles on bags or in a sled at the indoor range soon, as well as my new load ladder in the 18". Attached File |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 77gr SMK is the gold standard for 223 precision loads, but what about Barnes Matchburners? (Page 4 of 4)
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