I started loading for my ar 10 its a RRa 26" barrel 1 in 10 twist . It's shoots factory match king sub MOA , I started with R 15 and 210 match primers . I worked up to 43.4 and 43.6 grains shoot both right at .50 . 168 match kings . Book max load is 43.3 . Volictiys i am getting are 1760 out of my hand loads with no signs of presher . The factory federal match king are running 1720 , now I have been reading more that book loads are made for bolt guns and that searria says to back off 1 1/2 grains off there max loads , that I might damage my gun ? Also I was told that I should CCI primes due to them being thicker where the fire ring pin hits ,so that I would reduce chances of slam fires , any help would be greatfull , right now I am stuck, until I get all my fact strait ,
Loading for a ar10 RRA
- Thread starter Birddog67
- Start date
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
Although I use CCI military primers in all my loads now, I used std CCI and Winchester primers in thousands of loads fired in AR's without 1 slamfire. I would not hesitate to go back to them if I run out of the mil primers.
Bear in mind also that the CCI mil primers are magnum strength according to CCI's website.
I have found that most books list max loads for bolt guns, and my AR's show pressure signs long before reaching the book max. Sierra and Lee seem to be more conservative in my experience.
Although I use CCI military primers in all my loads now, I used std CCI and Winchester primers in thousands of loads fired in AR's without 1 slamfire. I would not hesitate to go back to them if I run out of the mil primers.
Bear in mind also that the CCI mil primers are magnum strength according to CCI's website.
I have found that most books list max loads for bolt guns, and my AR's show pressure signs long before reaching the book max. Sierra and Lee seem to be more conservative in my experience.
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
I use the CCI Mil primers in my M14, and I think that is a little more necessary than an AR10. As mtrmn, I have use a ton of win primers in the AR10. The M14 has more moving mass....I wouldn't say that it couldn't happen in an AR10. I am not an expert at loading for the AR10 but I wouldn't think that RL15 would be the best choice of powder.
The MV's you gave are a bit confusing.
I use the CCI Mil primers in my M14, and I think that is a little more necessary than an AR10. As mtrmn, I have use a ton of win primers in the AR10. The M14 has more moving mass....I wouldn't say that it couldn't happen in an AR10. I am not an expert at loading for the AR10 but I wouldn't think that RL15 would be the best choice of powder.
The MV's you gave are a bit confusing.
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
300,
The right place to start with max and min loads are with the recommendations of the powder companies, not the bullet companies. Your loads are mild...almost too mild.
For instance, the min load with varget per Hodgon's manual for 168s is 43gr, with a max load of 46grains. Since you are getting amazing accuracy, I understand the temptation to stop there. However, if you wanna shoot at distance, you will have to bump up that load, and deep six the 168s...
Hornady and Sierra are overly conservative in their recommendations, and many of their recommendations for gas guns were written with rifles such as the M1 & M1A in mind. These rifles are sensitive to port pressures as damage to the rifles operating rod may occur. ARs have no such limitations. You only have to watch for pressure signs as you work up just like in bolt guns.
In any event, when you get ready for distance shooting, you will need to work up loads with more modern bullets. Your time will be better spent developing loads with 175 SMK (.490 G1 BC), Hornady 178s (AMAX .495 G1 BC, HPBT .530G1 BC), Hornady 208s & 225 ( .649 & .711 BCs respectively), the Berger 185, 210 & 230gr hybrid bullets.
What i like most about the AMAX is that it doubles as a hunting load while producing outstanding accuracy for target shooting.
Additionally, if you havent standardized on a powder, you really owe it to yourself to try the Hodgon CFE 223 & the Alliant 2000MR. Both of these powders will yield the fastest velocities in a 308, and are also flash suppressed, temperature insensitive, meter well, and are very well priced.
Best.
300,
The right place to start with max and min loads are with the recommendations of the powder companies, not the bullet companies. Your loads are mild...almost too mild.
For instance, the min load with varget per Hodgon's manual for 168s is 43gr, with a max load of 46grains. Since you are getting amazing accuracy, I understand the temptation to stop there. However, if you wanna shoot at distance, you will have to bump up that load, and deep six the 168s...
Hornady and Sierra are overly conservative in their recommendations, and many of their recommendations for gas guns were written with rifles such as the M1 & M1A in mind. These rifles are sensitive to port pressures as damage to the rifles operating rod may occur. ARs have no such limitations. You only have to watch for pressure signs as you work up just like in bolt guns.
In any event, when you get ready for distance shooting, you will need to work up loads with more modern bullets. Your time will be better spent developing loads with 175 SMK (.490 G1 BC), Hornady 178s (AMAX .495 G1 BC, HPBT .530G1 BC), Hornady 208s & 225 ( .649 & .711 BCs respectively), the Berger 185, 210 & 230gr hybrid bullets.
What i like most about the AMAX is that it doubles as a hunting load while producing outstanding accuracy for target shooting.
Additionally, if you havent standardized on a powder, you really owe it to yourself to try the Hodgon CFE 223 & the Alliant 2000MR. Both of these powders will yield the fastest velocities in a 308, and are also flash suppressed, temperature insensitive, meter well, and are very well priced.
Best.
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
tx flyboy ,so i should look at the powder manufactures for load data , like allient web site calls out for 45 gr of R15 with the 168 match point , but seria was telling me that 43,3 is max so i will be safe with the powder MFG Data ?I am AT 43.4=43.6 i just dont want any problems with gun failer ! i am also left handed and would not want bolt failer it would not be good ,also is it ok to be using federal match primers? or should i go to CCI ?
tx flyboy ,so i should look at the powder manufactures for load data , like allient web site calls out for 45 gr of R15 with the 168 match point , but seria was telling me that 43,3 is max so i will be safe with the powder MFG Data ?I am AT 43.4=43.6 i just dont want any problems with gun failer ! i am also left handed and would not want bolt failer it would not be good ,also is it ok to be using federal match primers? or should i go to CCI ?
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
300,
Absolutely, you should ignore the bullet manufacturers advise about powders they don't make...take the advise of the powder companies.
Also, unless you are shooting an M1A or M1 garand, sierra's advise will lead to you shooting a rifle with 30-30 ballistics...I presume you bought a 308 to get 308 ballistics did you not? Ignore their advise and move on...like everyone else.
As far as primers, I've used CCI & Winchester, and prefer Winchester as they tend to run smaller, and fit the primer pockets of surplus mil brass even with the crimp in place.
I've never used the federal primers myself, but everything I've read indicates their Benchrest primer cups are a little soft...again, i'm simply passing information I've read..I don't have any first hand experience with them.
Personally, as soon as i exhaust my supply of winchester primers, I will switch to Wolf primers...they are used by top benchrest & competitive shooters that reload and are known for their consistency.
My advise about primers is to use Wolf primers...Winchester has worked very well for me without a single misfire. CCI has performed well, but requires that i remove crimp from milsurp brass in order to ensure a proper fit. It too has not let me down.
Hope this helps.
Best
300,
Absolutely, you should ignore the bullet manufacturers advise about powders they don't make...take the advise of the powder companies.
Also, unless you are shooting an M1A or M1 garand, sierra's advise will lead to you shooting a rifle with 30-30 ballistics...I presume you bought a 308 to get 308 ballistics did you not? Ignore their advise and move on...like everyone else.
As far as primers, I've used CCI & Winchester, and prefer Winchester as they tend to run smaller, and fit the primer pockets of surplus mil brass even with the crimp in place.
I've never used the federal primers myself, but everything I've read indicates their Benchrest primer cups are a little soft...again, i'm simply passing information I've read..I don't have any first hand experience with them.
Personally, as soon as i exhaust my supply of winchester primers, I will switch to Wolf primers...they are used by top benchrest & competitive shooters that reload and are known for their consistency.
My advise about primers is to use Wolf primers...Winchester has worked very well for me without a single misfire. CCI has performed well, but requires that i remove crimp from milsurp brass in order to ensure a proper fit. It too has not let me down.
Hope this helps.
Best
Re: Loading for a ar10 RRA
It's should read 2720 fps with factory and 2760 with the reloads , I orderd new brass , so I will call allient powder and see what they say about the loads also looked up some Ar comp powder want to try 178 Amax some have said that they have had good accuracy out of ar platforms , and the powder is made for ARs some good loads,with decent velocitys will load some up for this weekend , and see what happens
It's should read 2720 fps with factory and 2760 with the reloads , I orderd new brass , so I will call allient powder and see what they say about the loads also looked up some Ar comp powder want to try 178 Amax some have said that they have had good accuracy out of ar platforms , and the powder is made for ARs some good loads,with decent velocitys will load some up for this weekend , and see what happens
