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Berger .224 77 grain OTM with AR comp??

JimmyT

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Minuteman
Feb 25, 2017
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I want to try this combo in my 18” CLE barrel but do not know where to start with my loads. Any help on a start point??
 
For AR-Comp with Nosler 77gn Custom Competition (0.98 in long), 1x fired LC brass, Tula/Muron small rifle magnum primers fired out of a 16" 1:7 twist barrel:

23.8 gives 2671fps and sometimes just a trace of ejector swipe at around 75F temp. Mid-length gas system and an adjustable gas block, so it is not unlocking really early......

23.6 gives 2640fps.

Chargmaster for weight accuracy.

I plan on bumping the load up a bit for more speed until I get more pressure signs, as there is still some room in the case for more powder. But I assume the Berger is a longer bullet and will seat deeper in the case.
 
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I just tried the 77 gn Berger OTM with AR Comp. It's really accurate. With a CLE chamber, I was getting light ejector marks on the brass at 21.5gn of AR Comp. The average COAL was 2.255. I think Alliant's recommended load for the 77 SMK is 22.1gn of AR Comp at 2.260 COAL. I'm going to stay below 21.5gn though shooting the 77gn Berger with my gun.
 
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What kind of velocity are you getting below 21.5 grains of AR Comp?
 
This is 77 Bergers with 24.4 Varget set to 010 off lands. Getting 2867 fps
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My go-to for 75-80 gr bullets is 22.5 gr AR Comp. I’ve used several kegs of it with great results. 20” barrels normally run around 2720-2750 FPS.
 
I am having some success at 21.8 grains of AR Comp under the 77 grain OTM. Pushing 2580 out of a 16” Noveske barrel.
 
24.0 gr's of Varget with Sierra .77 BTHP with a 22" wylde 1-8 barrel. At 600 yards the best loaded round I have worked up. Fooling around with IMR 8208 XBR with some good results. The .75 gr Hornady ELD's seem to like that powder. Still working that load up.
 
I'm trying the same 21.8 grain of AR COmp under the Berger 77 grain OTMs and Nosler 77 Grain CC to see which one performs better in my rifles. More to follow...
 
I’m going to have to try this again on a different day. I was getting vertical stringing and average spreads of 10-25 FPS with the same load with both biUllets. I’ll try again with ten round groups at 100 yards with 21:8/22.0/22.2 of AR Comp to see if I can get something repeatable.
 
I thought the whole point of the valk was to send 80+ brainers down range. 77gr sierras at 2700 and less sounds like a run of the mill 223rem/5.56 load. Shit, most of thevmilspec 77gr is hotter I think.

Are you not having success with heavier/longer bullets?
 
Where does it say anything about the Valkyrie? I've been following this assuming it was for 223 but I may have missed something.
 
21.8 grains on the left and 22.1 on the right @100 yards. My barrel is hella finicky with bullets and I’m beginning to wonder if I should start working this load with a Douglass barreled 18” rifle instead. More crap to follow.
 

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My go-to for 75-80 gr bullets is 22.5 gr AR Comp. I’ve used several kegs of it with great results. 20” barrels normally run around 2720-2750 FPS.

Same here. I had a good load at 22.6gr that shot well out of my CLE match 18” barrel and was just starting to show pressure. Velocities were 2720-2740.

With my Wylde chambered 20” rifles I can push a 77cc/SMK or 75 bthp-m with up to 23.4gr without pressure. The 77’s run 2795fps SD 6.5, while the 75 run 2830 with 8fps SD.

If ya can’t get it to shoot with AR Comp just shelve it and walk away.
 
Went to the range today and shot 5 shot groups at 100 yards with Berger 77 OTM, Hornady 75 BTHP, and 77 SMK. All with 20.9 grains of AR Comp. I was having cycling problems and I think my gas block was coming loose. Didn't have any tools so only shot one group of each and headed home. Shot with a 20" barrel with CLE chamber.

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I'm cooking up some loads for another rifle with a CLE chamber and will shoot for accuracy this weekend... I let everyone know what happens. I have a sneakey suspision that my Noveskie 16" upper does not like AR Comp and the bergers...