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Posted: 12/19/2015 2:08:41 PM EDT
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Hi,
So I'm abut to enter the world of handloading for the 5.56. The build I'm working (first 1 of those too) on has a 16" 1 in 7 twist barrel. I have WSR primers, Ramshot TAC powder, and once fired brass. I'm looking for maximum accuracy given the limitations of the barrel twist rate, powder, and barrel length. Can anyone recommend the best weight bullet (and type (FMJBT, etc.) if you can) for accuracy given the configuration and components I have to work with? I also have 1 lb of H335 but I was just thinking about starting with the TAC powder since I have more of it and see it mentioned often on reloading forums. This is my first go at rifle reloading although I've been reloading for pistol for a couple years, so go easy on me. 
TIA for any assistance. Any general comments that might help would also be greatly appreciated. I have 6 or 7 reloading manuals so I'm covered there for now. I'm just hoping to get real world advice from those who have worked up similar loads. I'll post results once I get some loaded up and hit the range. |
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Those are all good questions, so don't feel bad about asking.
You will want to get more than one reloading reference book and check the recipies for any loads you experiment with. I suggest checking from both angles; the powder folk's views', and the bullet folk's views, as a starting point. You will see some differences in charge weights between references. Sometimes it is just due to differences in the test rigs used for their book, sometimes it is due to lawyers and safety margins. Your 16" and 7 twist frames your starting point, as well as the gas gun. You should try and stay with AR loads as compared to bolt gun references. You will probably start with magazine length loads from the seating depth perspective. That is a variable you can play with after you gain experience. Your twist means you will ignore the short lightweight recipes because those are for rigs like prairie dog guns that use twists for those light short bullets. I will suggest a 77 grain Seirra Matchking as a good starting point. There are at least a dozen others you can play with and many other good ones. Learn to work up your loads and how to prepare bottleneck cases. This is where there are several differences between pistol and rifle. Read as much as you can get your hands on. You have an excellent starting point and good material in your post. You will find many articles and posts written for bbl lengths at 16 and 20 inches because of the number of rigs in the market at those lengths, so you are in good shape. You can still run match ammo loads at 16 even though they are typically developed in 20" Service Rifles. I also suggest you start the rig with some good standard match ammo before you run reloads as a begginer. May I suggest Black Hills 77 OTM Match as a good one that you can work your first reload goals as a match to this ammo. You will have the rig running with a good reference point and get used to precision shooting before you take on too many "firsts" all at the same time. Here are two links where you can see fairly standardized match loads and also read about 5.56 loading for a gas gun. http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/ http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm |
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While the 69 and 77 gr SMK's are great bullets, I will suggest the Hornady 75 gr HPBT-M bullet as a better starting point. They are as accurate but less expensive than either of those SMK offerings. They also load to magazine length.
Work you way up into the 23-24 gr of TAC in a Winchester case with the WSR primer. My barrels are 1/8" twist and I use 23.5 and seat to 2.235" to 2.245" OAL (the variability in tip length causes the variation in OAL, this is normal). I get 3/4 MOA accuracy at 200 yards for that load. Does that help? Remember, work up from a lower charge - your rifle could be different than mine (chamber, rifling, bore diameter, twist,...) |
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Wow! Just wanted to say thank you for all the help and answers! I kind of screwed up - all I have is 55gr FMJ bullets from RMR at the moment so I'll start with those until I have some cash to buy the heavier bullets. I wasn't aware TAC was meant for heavier bullets - thanks for telling me that. COSteve I'll definitely be looking at your loading combination.
Ran into the other new issue of crimped primer pockets last night. That was fun. 
Anyhow thanks again and when I have some loads worked up and targets to show I'll post up the results. |
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