First .223 reloads, 55gr FMJBT & TAC

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Slasher

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I finally got to get out and shoot my first reloads for my AR. I used a Lee Classic Turret press with Lee Pacesetter dies. I had once fired, through my AR, Federal brass, CCI 41 primers, Ramshot powder and Federal 55 grain FMJBT projectiles. I had hear how good 24.5 grains of TAC was for the AR and boy did it look that way with my groupings, see picture below. I loaded up 5 rounds each of TAC with 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5 and 26. The 23.5 only had four hits because the first one was on a different target and so was all of the 26 grain. The 25 grain group also only has 4 hits that I can see so I am not real sure what happened there. I know that this is a 100 yard target but these were shot at 25 yards because my range only has 25 yd and 100 yd stations. I am relatively new to all this so please give any advice you can for a new reloader.

55TAC.jpg

Thanks
 
Iron sights or optics? Offhand or benched? The squares on the target appear to be MOA. ???

I tried Ramshot with lighter bullets, but didn't have much luck. Works well with the 69s and heavier.
 
These all were iron sights with the front resting on a sandbag and the back on my shoulder.
 
I wasn't there so I can't say with certainty, but it appears your position needs a little work to become more consistent. At 25 even milspec ammo should easily group under one inch.
 
If you want to shoot good groups, buy something besides 55 Gr FMJ.

One group means nothing. See if it will repeat before you make judgments.

At 25 yards you should have some really tight groups with all the loads.
 
is your barrel getting hot? I've got a 20" thin barrel on a bolt gun and at 1 shot every 40 seconds or so it's only good for 3 rounds. the 4th starts walking. now granted an ar should hold up better than that, and by walking I meant 2 inches at 100 yds.

also, a lot of people here claim they can get 2" groups at 100 yds with iron sights. offhand. in high wind. with a live weasel chewing on their ankle. I'm not that good. perhaps you're not either?
 
I was doing okay till we got to the weasel.

I've shot MOA with irons (from the bench), but not with FMJs and I can't do it every time...or 75 percent of the time...or half the time...
 
Greyling22 you have hit the nail on the head. :)

I am not very good. I am pretty new to shooting and have no training and very little experience. I did not pick up shooting until about two years ago and I do not have much time to do it. I do love doing it and have enjoyed talking to everyone I have met since getting started. Everyone is so willing to share everything they know to help someone out.
 
Walkalong, what else would you suggest other than the 55gr? I only bought a 100 of them to get started and I will be done with those the next time I reload.

EddieNFL, what do you mean by position? I am new to all of this. If you have some links or something like that I would appreciate it.
 
55 Gr FMJ bullets, even the better ones, are just not accurate compared to any bullet with a nice square base.

The base is the most important part, along with the concentricity of the jacket.

Pick almost any 55 soft point or hollow point from a major maker and it will shoot significantly better.

Having a good steady "position" where you can repeat the shot each time with recoil being about the same and running in the same direction each time will make a big difference in group shooting.

Do you know the twist rate of your barrel? It should shoot 55 Gr fine though, whether it is 1 in 9 or 1 in 7.
 
what do you mean by position?
Click to expand...

WA hit it. It's all about consistency: same cheek weld, same spot on the shoulder, same grip...

When you move out to longer ranges variations really show up. We'll talk about laying on the rifle too long, breathing, follow-through, etc. another time.
 
what else would you suggest other than the 55gr?
Click to expand...

I would like to suggest using the popular 55gr V-Max as a replacement for the FMJ, or any of the brand name soft points or hollow points.
If the Federal FMJBT has an open base, they are not the best choice for developing accuracy loads. Great for plinking, but usually not as accurate as commercial SP or HP.
Buy a box of 55gr V-Max or Sierra HP and try them. Tac powder is a good powder and the rest of your reloading recipe is good too.
You should see a difference for the good.



NCsmitty
 
Slasher,
Being new to shooting and new to reloading you have a lot going on at once. My suggestion to you would be to pick your best load (charge weight). The 24.5 looks the best to me. Load up 50-100 of them and work on your shooting. In particular work out your NPoA. Natural Point of Aim. NPoA and postion go together. You will find your postion is your NPoA when done right. You can do a lot dry firing, no ammo expended. Shooting a .22lr can do wonders as well.
Don't keep jumping around on your load, that is just interjecting variables.
For me load development became an ever decreasing circle of is it me or the load. I would force myself to take the best load from a test and use it. My groups would shrink over time with no change in load.
The other thing is learn what causes shots to go off. Vertical can be breathing. Left-right can be trigger.
Some ranges have bad benches that move about and aren't real stable.
 
Thanks for everyone's response. I will for sure be getting some different bullets and working on my position and NPoA.

Thanks again.
 
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