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AR hand loads

wapiti16b

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 16, 2014
726
144
New Mexico
I have a LMT Piston AR , 16 inch 1 in 7 Twist . What bullet weights should be the most accurate with this twist ?
I'm mainly reloading for Coyotes and would prefer a single hole , I hate sewing up hides .
Anybody have a good load to share for this application ?
Thanks !
 
You can use just about anything in a 7" twist, from 52 gr to 77 gr, and I have. I have tried to stick with the 77s in mine to take advantage of the twist, but I think the 69SMKs give me the best results consistently.

I can't help you with the coyotes, as I have never even seen one in the flesh, or ever shot at one. Check your ballistic program for energy with different bullet weights, but I am kind of sure that most 223 rounds would likely punch through if you are not using hunting bullets.
 
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I've found the 69g smk and sbk to work well also as does the 77g smk and the 73g Bergers , unfortunately heavier varmint bullets from most manufaturers seem to stop around 65 or 69 grains . I've gotten so so accuracy from 60g V-Max and somewhat less accuracy from 55,50 grain V-Max so I guess my next question is who makes a great varmint bullet over 69 grains ?
 
If you hate sewing a true FMJ is your only choice, look for some 55 grain pills and push'em hard, 3k should be no problem if you can get the right powder. I like shooting 68bthp or 69smk in range brass, 23.5 of Benchmark gets me 2850 out of my 18 inch barreled AR.