5.56/.223 match ammo preferences

[MovedWest]

I'm in the beginning stages of preparing myself for centerfire rifle competition shooting. I don't know what distance I'll be firing, but I'm thinking standard NRA matches to begin with. Seriously, the last time I fired in competitively I fired rimfire @ 50' in NRA and ROTC matches. I'm looking for a place to start with ammo.

I'm wondering what most shooters prefer for ammo for practice and competition. Is there a difference in rules of which matches allow 5.56 or .223? What type of velocities are typical? What bullet weights are the norm?

Back in school we always used the white box bullets with "AMMO" stamped in black letters on the outside, but used Eley the week before and during our matches. Is there any preference on practice ammo vs match ammo?

Also I'm considering reloading and wondering if anyone else here reloads for .223 for their match ammo? I already reload 44 magnum so I wouldn't need much more equipment to begin. Is any brass preferred for reloading?

I'm posting this in general rifle as opposed to competition forum in hopes of getting more replies. Any advice is greatly welcomed. Thanks in advance!

-MW

 

[Canuck-IL]

Hipower is usually shot over a 200, 300 and 600 yard course altho you will find some matches done at 100 w reduced targets. Most use Sierra, Nosler, Hornady or Berger bullets, 69gr minimum (there are several good 52s also for 100 or maybe 200 yd), 77 grain commonly and 80 or 82 for 600 yards. 80s are single loaded so they are designed to be loaded longer than mag length.

White Oak is a premier upper manufacturer - their loads suggested are typical
http://www.whiteoakprecision.com/info-reloading.htm

Brass choices probably run toward Win and Lake City - most won't use Federal due to loose primer pockets after only 1 or 2 firings. Pretty much everybody reloads - the only commercially prepped ammo that is ever seen is Black Hills match - but that gets pricey quickly. Brass prep is a major PITA for rifle compared to pistol - you spend the winter months, at least in the northern climes, preparing your brass so that match week, it's just powder and bullet and you're good to go.

Poke around in the stickies at National Match and you'll find all the basic equipment and component questions answered.
http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
/Bryan

 

[MovedWest]

This is why I love THR!

This seems to be backwards to handgunning regarding bullet weights. I've always used my light bullets for longer range due to less bullet drop and higher velocities. From the looks of it the heavier bullets are used for longer range in centerfire rifle competition. Is that true for the most part?

White Oak is on my radar. It's a bit further down the road in my budget, but I'm strongly leaning towards them for my match .223 and .308 barrels. They've got a solid rep from what I've found.

Yes, I've heard necked down case prep is a rather "devoted" endeavor. Definitely a PITA from what I've read, but necessary unless you're idle-rich-level wealthy.

Thx for the links!

-MW

 

[Canuck-IL]

Heavy bullets are needed to buck the wind at 600 yards.

Other makers to consider are Northern Competitions and Compass Lake - also quality builders but, WOA are the most cost efficient and John Holliger (5 or 6 time IL champion) tests every upper himself before they ship - nice folks to deal with. I've got 982 rounds on my WOA w/o a single malfunction - all handloads.

Not sure about the 'necked down' reference ... for an auto loader you MUST full length resize all the brass - neck sizing only will jam you up. The pain in prepping brass is the FL sizing, then tumble again to remove the lube, then clean the primer pockets, then trim, chamfer and deburr - probably most if not all cases, then finally load. I also trim the inside flash hole burr on new brass.
/B

 

[taliv]

you've got to think ahead if you go with white oak. it'll be several months to get something. they're pretty backordered. compass lake is a good alternative. also, even though i give DPMS, RRA a lot of grief over their shoddy M4 style carbines, they both make excellent NM-style high power guns and support the sport. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their NM guns.

HSM also makes ammo that's pretty popular. fed gold medal match is also popular, though harder to find these days. Hornady TAP will work, but is hella-pricey

as was said above, reloading is the way to go if you're serious

 

[Canuck-IL]

As to build delays, it was rampant all over the industry immediately after the election - even if you ordered a primo barrel ($$$) that was in stock, you'd end up waiting on some of the smaller pieces. WOA may be getting back under control - I heard recently that they were again quoting lead times in weeks rather than months. Last year (pre-election) I was told 5-6 weeks and it arrived in just under 4.

Nice touches on the WOA vs some of the more common brands are the (optional) pinned rear sights, set-screw under the front post and the adjustment possible via set screws rather than pins for the front base. I also have an RRA NM that has been fine but, for the same bucks, you can get the WOA touches ... also RRA and DPMS had their own really impressive order backlogs.

One phone call to resolve - at least those 3 don't tend to quote smoke and mirrors.
/B

 

[taliv]

canuck, at perry 2 weeks ago, WOA said months not weeks. but RRA/DPMS had tables upon tables of guns for sale.

my service rifle is a RRA NM that i sent to WOA to get the sights pinned and put the front sight with windage on

 

[Canuck-IL]

... and RRA surprised me by having a wall full available for immediate sale but, rumornet indicated they are supposedly behind 50,000 units. Apparently what's 'in the books' vs 'what we have for folks with $$ in hand' varies more than one would think ... perhaps many of those on order are staggered military purchases??
/B