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5/3/2014 4:50:37 AM EDT
as i'm new to the ar-15 scene (with only about a year of research under my belt) i am also new to reloading. (zero reloads to date)

to the seniors out there. what ( in your opinion ) bullets (grain and mfg) are good for 1: plinking and  2: up to 100 yrds.

at the moment i have no intentions for joining a league or competitions.

i have a 16" barrel with a 1;9 twist. so i wanna keep between 50 and 68 grains.
5/2/2014 9:03:15 PM EDT
[#1]
Just about anything will work for 100yds. For plinking and some measure of accuracy, get the Hornady 55gr SP. They should give slightly better accuracy than FMJ while still being cheap enough to plink with.
5/2/2014 9:08:00 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Just about anything will work for 100yds. For plinking and some measure of accuracy, get the Hornady 55gr SP. They should give slightly better accuracy than FMJ while still being cheap enough to plink with.
View Quote



why would they be more accurate?
5/2/2014 9:20:50 PM EDT
[#3]
FMJs are usually mass-produced at extreme rates for military applications.  Accordingly, the concentricity, consistency in ogive shape, and uniformity in weight and surface finish are far from higher grade commercial or so-called match bullets.  All of these factors affect interior and exterior ballistics.  Shitty bullets don't fly right!!  Groups will open up dramatically when switching from a match bullet to what I call junk bullets.  "Minute of man" accuracy is much different than "minute of ground squirrel".  The military is not going to spend $20+ / 100 bullets to shoot up the battlefield and an occasional enemy soldier.
5/3/2014 2:29:23 AM EDT
[#4]
FPNI. OP, you'll want to go to the Armory tab and find the Reloading forum.
5/3/2014 3:24:12 AM EDT
[#5]
I've had good luck with the Hornady 55gr FMJs. You can get them at a decent price buying in bulk.



As far as ammo out to 100yds, it all depends on what you want to do with it. However, I had good luck with the 68gr Hornady MHP. You will need to work up a load for your rifle/needs.


5/3/2014 4:28:31 AM EDT
[#6]
You need to find the reloading forum, maybe this will get moved.

Based on your spec, i wouldnt reload, id shoot steel 55gr and forget about it. Its cheaper than your reloads and good enough.

Know this if anything, reloading is hard, time consuming work. Most people dont stick with it for that reason, especially if all they are doing is making the same thing they could have bought for less. In this case 55gr plinking ammo.

I buy steel for that reload the 60 to 77gr match, boutique whatever rounds i want because that is cheaper than a $28 box of 20.

Good luck op, reloading can be fun and productive. Lots of good folks in reloading forum to help you out along the way. Be safe.
5/3/2014 10:55:13 AM EDT
[#7]


Quoted:

as i'm new to the ar-15 scene (with only about a year of research under my belt) i am also new to reloading. (zero reloads to date)



to the seniors out there. what ( in your opinion ) bullets (grain and mfg) are good for 1: plinking and 2: up to 100 yrds.



at the moment i have no intentions for joining a league or competitions.



i have a 16" barrel with a 1;9 twist. so i wanna keep between 50 and 68 grains.
View Quote
Start with Hornady 55 gr FMJBT's. Easy to load and find. Good price too.



Also most accurate 55 gr FMJBT out there. Just about any load will shoot 1.5 moa.



Be sure to read the info at the top of the page. FAQ's, Tutorials, ect.
5/3/2014 12:17:58 PM EDT
[#8]
Any bullet will be very accurate at 100m.

You might be drawn to pulled bullets due to their cost, but if you're new I'd stick to newly manufactured bullets.

Use this for cheapest components: http://ammoseek.com/
5/3/2014 8:23:03 PM EDT
[#9]
i wasn't aware of this section of the forum, but im glad my post was moved. and from the knowledge i received so far. i think i'll stick around.

i see the name hornady came up a couple of times that a good thing.

since, i purchased the hornady l-n-l reloader with some dies. we shoot 9mm, .40 and now 5.56. so i dont think i'll get to bored with only loading one caliber. and we like to go to the range. but with the cost of ammo it's pricey for the two of us to shoot, let alone if we take one of our kids every now and again.

i know whats coming next...... get her to load some. i already tried that one.     lol

thanks........so far for the much appreciated knowledge.
5/3/2014 8:33:06 PM EDT
[#10]
Look at threads comparing Hornady FMJ v. SP in 55... FMJ's dont compete in accuracy but they are easier to load. I use M-die and now I can turn out a ton of the SP's.

SP's all the way for me. Bought it bulk too...
5/4/2014 6:13:03 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
as i'm new to the ar-15 scene (with only about a year of research under my belt) i am also new to reloading. (zero reloads to date)

to the seniors out there. what ( in your opinion ) bullets (grain and mfg) are good for 1: plinking and  2: up to 100 yrds.

at the moment i have no intentions for joining a league or competitions.

i have a 16" barrel with a 1;9 twist. so i wanna keep between 50 and 68 grains.
View Quote


Hornady brand 55 grain soft point will fill both roles nicely.
5/4/2014 6:20:36 AM EDT
[#12]
delete

5/4/2014 6:53:07 AM EDT
[#13]
Hornady SP hands down.

You can usually buy in bulk for a great deal, or go to the reloading section of the equipment exchange and get them for around $105 per thousand shipped.
5/4/2014 9:14:37 AM EDT
[#14]

Quote History
Quoted:


i wasn't aware of this section of the forum, but im glad my post was moved. and from the knowledge i received so far. i think i'll stick around.



i see the name hornady came up a couple of times that a good thing.



since, i purchased the hornady l-n-l reloader with some dies. we shoot 9mm, .40 and now 5.56. so i dont think i'll get to bored with only loading one caliber. and we like to go to the range. but with the cost of ammo it's pricey for the two of us to shoot, let alone if we take one of our kids every now and again.



i know whats coming next...... get her to load some. i already tried that one.     lol



thanks........so far for the much appreciated knowledge.
View Quote
Thanks for the kind words, we have a good group here.

 







Be sure to do some reading in this tacked thread. (near the top of the page) You might want to bookmark it.




This is a listing of links to threads that answer many questions.




Several posters have mentioned the Hornady 55 gr softpoint.




It's a good bullet also for loading 223 for an AR. Yes, it feeds fine with the lead nose. Slightly more accurate than the FMJ.




But I always suggest the FMJ to start with. Seat bullet to mid cannelure with both bullets and OAL will be fine and nowhere  max near mag length.




If your not buying local, go up to Links to find a list of trusted venders.
5/6/2014 7:28:43 AM EDT
[#15]
djryan13    what is a M-die?
5/6/2014 7:37:02 AM EDT
[#16]
M-die it can put a slight step to the mouth of the case making seating flat base bullets  easier
5/6/2014 12:20:31 PM EDT
[#17]
One thing I will add is that the Hornady 68gr BTHP's are very nice, but they have a bearing surface that is a bit longer than the Sierra or Barnes 69gr OTM. The 69's should shoot just as well in your 1:9 and the Barnes Match Burners are cheaper than the Hornady and Siera bullets in most cases.
5/6/2014 1:51:01 PM EDT
[#18]
Speer 50-55 grain SP over 25.5-26 grains of 2520 with a CCI magnum primer. I use to have a RRA 1:9 16" that loved them.
5/6/2014 5:21:17 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:
why would they be more accurate?
View Quote

Accuracy is about consistency. Bottom line is the Hornady FMJBTs are more consistent in their physical properties that most other FMJBTs. Simple as that.

jonblack


5/6/2014 8:18:59 PM EDT
[#20]
Did Montana Gold stop making their 55 grainer?

5/7/2014 8:36:38 AM EDT
[#21]
This!

I reloaded for my bolt guns for awhileand enjoyed it.  I recently started to reload for my ARs.  I use the 55gr Hornady FMJBT with no issues.  Just finished 1000rds and cost is 22-23 cents per round.  About 1.5MOA. Fun plinking  ammo.
Quote History
Quoted:
Start with Hornady 55 gr FMJBT's. Easy to load and find. Good price too.

Also most accurate 55 gr FMJBT out there. Just about any load will shoot 1.5 moa.

Be sure to read the info at the top of the page. FAQ's, Tutorials, ect.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
as i'm new to the ar-15 scene (with only about a year of research under my belt) i am also new to reloading. (zero reloads to date)

to the seniors out there. what ( in your opinion ) bullets (grain and mfg) are good for 1: plinking and 2: up to 100 yrds.

at the moment i have no intentions for joining a league or competitions.

i have a 16" barrel with a 1;9 twist. so i wanna keep between 50 and 68 grains.
Start with Hornady 55 gr FMJBT's. Easy to load and find. Good price too.

Also most accurate 55 gr FMJBT out there. Just about any load will shoot 1.5 moa.

Be sure to read the info at the top of the page. FAQ's, Tutorials, ect.

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