AR Load Development - Krieger DCM 20"

[TAC308]

Hey guys,

I'm preparing to start with OCW. But I'm trying to pick the powder and bullet. For powders, I have Hodgdon H335, Varget and Benchmark to choose from. For bullets, I have SMK 77 gr. HPBT and Hornady 68 gr HPBT to choose from.

Before I start OCW testing, which powder and bullet would you guys recommend and why?

I only have the "AR-15" reloading information from Sierra (see below) and it even doesn't have info for Hornady's 68 gr bullet.

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Oryx]

You definitely won't find hornady data in the Sierra info, nor will you find Sierra info in a Hornady book... Just the way it is.

Either of those bullets will work fine in a DCM Kreiger, but for highpower, I definitely prefer the 77's. If you have both, see what the gun likes and try some different combos. Find one that works well and stick with it. It's good to have lots of experience with the same load for competitions so you minimize surprises. Varget and 77 SMKs work well in my experience , but I use a diff powder altogether.

 

[TAC308]

Thanks for the response.

I had excellent results from 175 SMK and Varget in my Rem 700... but thought the AR being a different caliber and semi-auto could possibly like something else....

I'm the type to just ditch the Hornady and go with what I'm familiar reloading with ;-)

 

[TAC308]

Crimp, or no crimp with the SMK 77?

 

[Erud]

If it's a 7 or 7.7 twist, I can almost guarantee that 24 grains of Varget with the 77's at mag length will shoot in the 1/2 MOA range if your rifle was put together properly. That wheel was in enter long ago, no need to waste time reinventing it.

 

[Erud]

No crimp.

 

[TAC308]

Thank you!

It's a 7.7 and I'm all about learning from those who have tried and proven!

 

[TAC308]

So, with no crimp should I use a neck size die?

 

[Erud]

Full length size every time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TAC308]

Okay. That's easy. Just FLS and no crimp...

And by the way, I'll be very happy if this stick shoots half MOA...

 

[Erud]

No problem. There are lots of other powders that will also work very well with that barrel and 77's. Varget just happens to pretty much be the standard for .223. If it won't shoot that load well, there's probably something wrong. As always, work your loads up carefully, watching for pressure signs, etc.

Good luck,
Erik