Questions on long range/varmint AR

[GRP7099]

I am new to longer range shooting with the AR-15. I have been shooting and reloading for my 16" and 14.5" rifles for some time now, but use them mainly for 100 yards or less in our local 3 gun matches. I recently ordered an upper with a Wilson 22" stainless 1-8 twist barrel. I would like to know from shooters with long range use of the AR platform on what bullet weights work best for this length and twist rate and if there is a proper break in period for making the rifle accurate. I will be using it mainly on ground hogs at local farms with ranges up to 450 yards. Thanks.

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: Questions on long range/varmint AR

Don't worry about break-in, and at 450 yards your choice of bullets won't be critical either. At longish ranges, your 1 in 8" twist barrel will do well with 77gr smk or nosler cc bullets, but you'll likely do just as well with lighter bullets as well.

John

 

[GRP7099]

Re: Questions on long range/varmint AR

Thanks, I have a large quantity of 55gn ammo on hand that I am going to try too. Is there a big difference in the 75 compared to 77 gn in performance?

 

[scatterbrains]

Re: Questions on long range/varmint AR

I would look at hornadys vmax and noslers ballistic tips. Ilove the noslers for whackin groundhogs and I just started workining up some loads with the hornady HP bullets.

Im using .257 bullets

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Questions on long range/varmint AR

Those Wilson barrels are usually pretty nice. Still, I'd shoot one round and run a patch soaked with copper remover to see if you get excessive copper. If not, then just shoot it.

As far as the ammo goes, 52gr HPs out to 300 and 77gr HP beyond that.