Best 5.56 grain for 1:7 SPR

Val84 · 2025-09-06T00:46:47-0400

Hey guys, I’m building my Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 into an SPR. It comes with a 16” 1:7 barrel that I’ll be throwing a suppressor onto soon. I’ve had a lot of fun shooting at my local range’s steel range up to 500 meters and would like to get better at it. My question is, what grain 5.56 is best for long distance shooting with my 16” 1:7 barrel? Also, is OTM good to go with? I’m wondering if the open tip affects accuracy.

Thanks in advance!

oldrifleman · 2025-09-06T01:23:14-0400

Get a quality 69-77gr match round ( Federal Gold Medal being the standard go to) 1-7 likes a long bullet. Remember that factory ARs generally are doing well to hold sub 1” groups, some can be spectacular but those have higher end custom barrels. But plan for between .75” and 1” at 100 yards.

tarheel7734 · 2025-09-06T01:27:01-0400

I run 77 grain in mist of my ar platforms sometimes I'll use some barns 70gr tsx as well

bfoosh006 · 2025-09-06T10:33:15-0400

77gr for me as well.

Buy an assortment of brands and see which one your barrel likes.

surgeon260 · 2025-09-06T10:54:05-0400

I like the 80.5 Berger.

oldrifleman · 2025-09-06T12:16:04-0400

surgeon260 said:
I like the 80.5 Berger.

I love the 80.5 Fullbores, spectacular bullet! I use those in 1:7 223 bolt gun.

matt33 · 2025-09-06T13:29:11-0400

My particular results have been Berger 73, Berger 77, and 77 Sierra matchking, 69 SMK, in that order.

You'll need to experiment to see what your barrel likes best.

WeR0206 · 2025-09-06T19:00:03-0400

matt33 said:
My particular results have been Berger 73, Berger 77, and 77 Sierra matchking, 69 SMK, in that order.

You'll need to experiment to see what your barrel likes best.

Same. I would also add 73 eld-m’s to the mix

Val84 · 2025-09-07T00:11:03-0400

Sounds like right around that mid to high 70’s grains are the way to go… I actually have a bunch of 77 grain in .223, would that basically be the same?

oldrifleman · 2025-09-07T00:14:29-0400

77grain SMKs are my favorite 223/556 AR bullets. I go heavier for my bolt guns.

VargmatII · 2025-09-07T00:28:27-0400

Im thinking that the 77 grain SMK has a more than well proven track record. I shot steel out to 600 meters with no complaints with that bullet earlier this summer, and there are plenty of people here who has taken it further still.

Jsp556 · 2025-09-07T01:54:26-0400

matt33 said:
My particular results have been Berger 73, Berger 77, and 77 Sierra matchking, 69 SMK, in that order.

You'll need to experiment to see what your barrel likes best.

Those 73gr Berger’s are the cats meow.

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