Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
Well, my wife bought it for me for christmas. I never have the desire to own one but I guess it won't hurt to have one in the safe.
Do I really need this rifle.
- Thread starter Desert Fox
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,402
- 6,213
Wrong question, Rommel. The appropriate question is, "Now what can I do with this. Which powder? What bullet?" Looks like a pretty Skookum setup. What chambering for it?
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,342
- 924
+1, Wish my wife was as thoughtful to buy me a rifle of any kind. But I guess I can't complain since she doesn't hollower to loud when I do buy one she just doesn't speak to me for awhile and silence is blissful. :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:DrMike":3dc7oo1e said:
longrangehunter
Handloader
- Jun 19, 2011
- 1,483
- 7
Well DF, you might have thought you would have ever, but now you do! You're not new to loading up great ammo, so make it a project and show us the outcome. It will be fun to sit at the bench and load up and test the ammo in it. We'all want to see it come together, so break out the bullets and get down to it!
- Thread starter
- #5
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
DrMike":3pydi1mv said:
LOL, you're right DrMike. I'm in unfamiliar territory here. I need every help I can get. It's 5.56/223
longrangehunter":3pydi1mv said:
Hey buddy,
I need to know what's the best bullet/powder combination for this BEAST. It has 16"-7 twist barrel. The rifle will be use for home security and occasional coyote buster. What's the best reloading die to use. Is the RCBS small base dies necessary or a Lee Pace Seater is all I need. I kinda like the Lee collet bullet crimp.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,789
- 6,036
A. It's a gift from your wife so it's incredibly important. 
B. The AR-15/5.56 platform can be a LOT of fun, and useful.
You may or may not use it a lot, but it can be a terrific addition! I wouldn't be without one anymore. If we ever get a chance to shoot together, I'll show you how to "run" that gun!
Guy
B. The AR-15/5.56 platform can be a LOT of fun, and useful.
You may or may not use it a lot, but it can be a terrific addition! I wouldn't be without one anymore. If we ever get a chance to shoot together, I'll show you how to "run" that gun!
Guy
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,402
- 6,213
Guy Miner":1xkje2w9 said:A. It's a gift from your wife so it's incredibly important.
B. The AR-15/5.56 platform can be a LOT of fun, and useful.
You may or may not use it a lot, but it can be a terrific addition! I wouldn't be without one anymore. If we ever get a chance to shoot together, I'll show you how to "run" that gun!
Guy
Good points! And what an offer, Rommel! Work this out asap!
Wyo7200
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2014
- 565
- 1
Dang dude... She's a keeper and so is the gun.
Congrats!
Congrats!
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,908
- 1,791
Yes, now what was the question........
Enjoy that wonderful gift from your wife
Enjoy that wonderful gift from your wife
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,342
- 8,903
Rommel,
Awesome gift from your bride.
I'm sure you will have some great loads developed in short order. 55 gr BT, H4895, CCI #400 primers
would be a good starting point. Also take a look at the Nosler ,224 64 gr BSB bullet. It was designed for the Secret Service to penetrate windshields and door panels and still take out a bad guy.
JD338
Awesome gift from your bride.
I'm sure you will have some great loads developed in short order. 55 gr BT, H4895, CCI #400 primers
would be a good starting point. Also take a look at the Nosler ,224 64 gr BSB bullet. It was designed for the Secret Service to penetrate windshields and door panels and still take out a bad guy.
JD338
DF, I've got a 1-8 twist 223 and I've been shooting the 77 grain Tipped Matchkings over 24.5 grains of H4895, Lapua brass with CCI BR4's. It is fantastically accurate. Speed is unknown to me at this point but the accuracy I'm getting is insane for such an easy load. The BC on those 77's seems real good as well.
Never shot them from an AR but the TMKs work fine at normal COAL.
CONGRATS on the rifle and such a great gift.
Never shot them from an AR but the TMKs work fine at normal COAL.
CONGRATS on the rifle and such a great gift.
Whitesheep
Beginner
- Jan 6, 2015
- 167
- 1
The addiction begins Desert Fox. Those who never thought they wanted or needed an AR once they get one have to get another. Maybe next year your better half will bless you with an AR in 7.62x51.
My 1 in 9" twist SR556 likes 55 grain Sierra BTHP's over 23.3 grains of LT-32 seated as long as the magazine will hold. With a 1 in 8" you should be able to stabilize 77 grain and heaver bullets, but may have to go single shot.
Have fun!
My 1 in 9" twist SR556 likes 55 grain Sierra BTHP's over 23.3 grains of LT-32 seated as long as the magazine will hold. With a 1 in 8" you should be able to stabilize 77 grain and heaver bullets, but may have to go single shot.
Have fun!
longrangehunter
Handloader
- Jun 19, 2011
- 1,483
- 7
DF, I would stick with the heavier type bullets with what you have. VarGet, VV N140, N133 and RL-15 have worked very well for me in the past. I'd use anything from 62 grains on up to the 77-80 grain range. Just be sure to stay within the expected velocity range for a 16" barrel. I'm getting 2625 fps w/a 77 SMK from a 18" bbl, yet only 2400-2450 fps from a 14.5" using the same bullet but different powders, H335, and VV N140.
I just tested the RL-15 77 SMK load in a DD MK12 a few minutes ago, shot prone off a bi-pod at 179 yards. At the time I didn't know the yardage and the barrel was just cleaned, it took 3 rounds before it connected with the 8" round steel.
I just tested the RL-15 77 SMK load in a DD MK12 a few minutes ago, shot prone off a bi-pod at 179 yards. At the time I didn't know the yardage and the barrel was just cleaned, it took 3 rounds before it connected with the 8" round steel.
Attachments
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
...hell, go play w/ it, have some fun, tell the how much you love it & how much you love her. It's a gift, a very thoughtful gift, & I'm betting if you go out & enjoy it, you'll make her day...
- Thread starter
- #16
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
Well guys, I went to the range this afternoon braving the cold at 48 deg F ( that's right, it's cold for us Cali boys)and a 15 mph wind, to zero the AR. I didn't expect much. I have a box of 20 Hornady 55 grain Z-max that I thought I could waste to zero the rifle.
I set up the target at 50 yards and fired my first shot. I noticed that the impact was high left, I'm shooting for groups so I left the scope alone and fired the next round. I did not see another hole on paper so I thought I must have missed. The trigger pull on this thing is around 6.5 lbs. So I fired my third shot and again, looking at the target, I only see one hole although I noticed that the hole seems a bit bigger now. In my excitement I run to see the target and lo and behold, the three shoot were all clustered together. Man was I thrilled.
Here's the 3 shot group. The lower hole on top of the red was after the scope was adjusted.
Here's a 4 shot group with the Z-Max at 110 yards.
Here's the 100 yard group using my reload. 55 grain Nosler BT and 26.5 grains of BLC-2. This powder is dirty and generate a big flash at the muzzle. I don't like this powder for the AR.
The rifle seems accurate enough and very consistent. With carefully crafted ammo, this rifle will definitely shoot to it's full potential.
I set up the target at 50 yards and fired my first shot. I noticed that the impact was high left, I'm shooting for groups so I left the scope alone and fired the next round. I did not see another hole on paper so I thought I must have missed. The trigger pull on this thing is around 6.5 lbs. So I fired my third shot and again, looking at the target, I only see one hole although I noticed that the hole seems a bit bigger now. In my excitement I run to see the target and lo and behold, the three shoot were all clustered together. Man was I thrilled.
Here's the 3 shot group. The lower hole on top of the red was after the scope was adjusted.
Here's a 4 shot group with the Z-Max at 110 yards.
Here's the 100 yard group using my reload. 55 grain Nosler BT and 26.5 grains of BLC-2. This powder is dirty and generate a big flash at the muzzle. I don't like this powder for the AR.
The rifle seems accurate enough and very consistent. With carefully crafted ammo, this rifle will definitely shoot to it's full potential.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,402
- 6,213
Looks to be a great start for your work-up. Plenty good for self-defense, though I understand that you will want to make it right.
longrangehunter
Handloader
- Jun 19, 2011
- 1,483
- 7
See how fast that guy gets it done! Way to go Rommel, pretty soon I'll be looking to you for loads!
- Thread starter
- #20
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
Well Bud, I know the rifle will shoot. I'm used to high power scope and a 16 lbs rifle with less than a pound trigger pull. So shooting this 6 lbs rifle with 6.5lb trigger and a 6X scope making one hole 3 shot group got me so fired up. I know it's only 50 yards but it might as well 500 yards.
I've ordered some heavy bullet for this thing and I will use your recipe for Reloader 15. I want a powder thats burns clean and with less muzzle flash. Man this thing is a chore to clean.
I've ordered some heavy bullet for this thing and I will use your recipe for Reloader 15. I want a powder thats burns clean and with less muzzle flash. Man this thing is a chore to clean.
