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Posted: 12/30/2009 1:38:01 PM EDT
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Since I am getting a Dillon 550, I am looking for an all purpose bullet for my Double Star M4 Carbine 1/9" twist. The gun will wear an EOTech with Troy BUIS. This is a home defense gun and will be used a lot for practice & plinking.
I was looking at the vast array of bullets in the 55gr range and was overwhelmed. I bought a box of VMAX to start with, as it seems to shoot well in evey AR at the ranges I freguent. I also plan on getting a box of Nosler Ballistic Tips since that is by far my favorite all around bullet. I was hoping on a suggestion for a cheaper bullet that might come close to the performance of the above 2 bullets, and not have the high price. I don't mind buying in volume after finding a lower end bullet that works. Should I try to find a cheaper HP instead of FMJ, in case I need some SHTF ammo? I do have some heavier bullets to try, but they might be a bit heavy for a short barrel 1/9" barrel. I have the following: 55gr Vmax 70gr Berger VLD Match 80gr Sierra HPBT Match (pretty heavy for 1/9") Any others I should try? Thanks! Gene |
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I really doubt that 80gr Sierra is going to work in your 1/9, and I have doubts about the 70gr Berger as well. I *think* that's a relatively long bullet. Try the Hornady 68gr BTHP. Good terminal ballistics, although I'm not sure I'd want to spend the money on them for just plinking. Perhaps a 55gr softpoint?
ETA: I take that back about the Berger, I checked the website and they say 1/9 is good to go for that round. |
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Quoted:
I really doubt that 80gr Sierra is going to work in your 1/9, and I have doubts about the 70gr Berger as well. I *think* that's a relatively long bullet. Try the Hornady 68gr BTHP. Good terminal ballistics, although I'm not sure I'd want to spend the money on them for just plinking. Perhaps a 55gr softpoint? ETA: I take that back about the Berger, I checked the website and they say 1/9 is good to go for that round. I also forgot about OL. I just read seating those long bullets to the short length needed for a magazine can cause pressure problems. That's one reason I love the forums. |
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VMax and BT bullets are varmint rounds, and won't have enough penetration, especially if your particular variety of two-legged varmints are big.
My SHTF mags are loaded with XM-193, but if I had to load some rounds up for defense, I like Hornady 55gr FMJBT. It's about the most accurate FMJ I've ever shot. I also have a 550B, and my varmint load uses Speer 50gr TNT. I've got 1K Bal-tips on hand but with component prices the way they are, I'm sitting on them. I also have 2K Nosler 77gr OTMs waiting for me to work a load up. |
| just load 55 [email protected] places have them in bulk like for 80 per K.Shooting them fancy boolitz can get spendy.Save those for varmints and vermin.they have 52 grn.holler points also.plinkin rounds,hornady has mucho bulk stuff right up the reloading shooters alley. widners has tracer pulls and bulk right now.on sale. |
Passed 62gr, the 1/9 twist will have a hard time stabilizing these heavy bullets, but your barrel might do the job just fine, 1/9 barrels are picky, you need a 1/7 twist for that heavy stuff tho... That's why I prefer 1/7, it can stabilize everything from 55gr up to whatever is thrown at you... or not, you dno't want a heavy bullet thrown at you... never mind. 
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