Handloads for multiple rifles

[Sincerd]

of course you can work up loads for each, or loads then try to measure and average out. What do you guys do to pick a load for say... 5 different 223 rifles of various lengths 10.5-18". Especially when the upmost accuracy is NOT required.

I guess I could just pick a load or any other better ideas?

 

[Gustav7]

of course you can work up loads for each, or loads then try to measure and average out. What do you guys do to pick a load for say... 5 different 223 rifles of various lengths 10.5-18". Especially when the upmost accuracy is NOT required.

I guess I could just pick a load or any other better ideas?

I did this for my AR's a couple years ago. It was also my first attempt at a real "load development", although my methods have obviously gotten better and more efficient since then.

Basically what I did, was took my most accurate rifle, which for me was easy, as I have two fun AR's and one precision based AR. I did the load work up for that and once I settled on a bulk load, I tested them in the other two and settled on that.

I used bulk Hornady 55g FMJ-BT and H335 in a variety of cases. Obviously I did not chase any high node, but I think I kept it around 3000fps, something like that. It would, and still does shoot around 1MOA in my "precision" AR. Don't really care how accurate it is in the other AR's. It functions flawlessly so I'm cool with it, and I can crank them out pretty quick. Shoulder set back is around 0.004" I think, obviously thats an average given the mixed headstamps of brass.

So basically I have one bulk load, and one precision load specifically for my precision AR. Just how I've done it so far.

 

[supercorndogs]

I find 1 moa with bulk 55 FMJ's in mixed headstamp brass, a little tough to believe.

 

[pmclaine]

77 grain SMK and 23 grains plus or minus of 8208XBR.

Go shoot, be happy.

 

[Gustav7]

I find 1 moa with bulk 55 FMJ's in mixed headstamp brass, a little tough to believe.

I said around. I've shot 5 shot groups as low as 0.8, with the average probably somewhere in the 1.2 area. Most of the bulk brass is LC so I'm sure the better groups were with similar brass and the higher groups were with mixed. This isn't a competition and I'm not putting up pictures of groups bragging or something. I was just giving a generalization for how I did it.

Don't start nitpicking.

 

[Gustav7]

My blaster 223 load is 55gr Hornady SP's, range pick up brass and Ramshot TAC. Cheapest components i could find. I just adjusted the OAL so it would run smoothly in everything I had and picked a safe charge, even when the atmospheric or chamber got hot. Thats it. And it still shoots about MOA but that wasn't my intent. Pretty exactly how I load pistol.

I do like some TAC. It ended up being too temperature sensitive for my precision loads, but I'd use it in a heartbeat for bulk stuff. Hard to beat the 8lb keg price H335 though....although now I can't remember what TAC 8lb price is lol

 

[supercorndogs]

My blaster 223 load is 55gr Hornady SP's, range pick up brass and Ramshot TAC. Cheapest components i could find. I just adjusted the OAL so it would run smoothly in everything I had and picked a safe charge, even when the atmospheric or chamber got hot. Thats it. And it still shoots about MOA but that wasn't my intent. Pretty exactly how I load pistol.

Mixed head stamp? I have not tried an FMJ that shot MOA for me either. That was why I went to a better bullet for my blaster ammo. Like the Hornady SP, V-max, or Seirra 55 HPbt. That is mostly what i have right now. Mixed head stamp was a crap shoot for me, I would never even think about trying again.

 

[supercorndogs]

Just reporting my method. It works for me.

Just asking questions because you didn't specify if your "range pick up" was mixed head stamp? I wouldn't want to try someone else method without knowing all the finer points.

I have mixed years of LC, and had no troubles. Grabbing all the 223 brass I could find at the range and loading it. Didn't work out.

I am sorry Gustav what I said sounded accusatory and rude. What I should have said was, I don't think the OP should have an expectation that what ever brass he picks up at the range, and what ever FMJ he can find, will shoot MOA. Not to say that your doest, or it can't. For me it didn't reach the expectation of MOP {minute of Prairie dog} when getting out into the 3-400, range. So, I sorted head stamp and went to better bullet.

 

[Steel head]

77 grain SMK and 23 grains plus or minus of 8208XBR.

Go shoot, be happy.

25.5 of w748 and a 69SMK also tends to shoot well in almost everything.

 

[Gustav7]

I am sorry Gustav what I said sounded accusatory and rude. What I should have said was, I don't think the OP should have an expectation that what ever brass he picks up at the range, and what ever FMJ he can find, will shoot MOA. Not to say that your doest, or it can't. For me it didn't reach the expectation of MOP {minute of Prairie dog} when getting out into the 3-400, range. So, I sorted head stamp and went to better bullet.

No worries, I appreciate the clarification. I probably should have specified the "around" 1 MOA with a little more emphasis. I wanted to make sure it was clear that its possible (in my experience) to make bulk ammo and not have to accept AK accuracy lol. To be fair, those 1 MOA groups were only with my better rifle that I clearly did load development for. The other AR's I don't expect that kind of accuracy out of.

I see your predicament as well...I'm definitely not expecting prairie dog accuracy regularly for what I do. Shooting 2moa plates with my Service Rifle and shooting coke cans and paper at 25-200yds and thats about it. My bulk ammo is shot with zero intention of accuracy 75% of the time.

I'm currently working up more of a varmint load with Nosler 55gr Ballistic tips though for groundhogs/yotes/etc.

 

[supercorndogs]

The 53g Nosler Ballistic tip and 53 V-Max have a pretty good B.C for the 55 class. I shoot the 53 v-max out of my bolt action 223. I use 8208XBR and WC844 for my blaster ammo. 25-200 varmint blaster ammo I use wc844, and Wolfe gold brass, its minute of Pringles can lid.

Wolfe gold brass is kind of crappy and inconsistent IMO.

 

[Gustav7]

Do you like using the WC844? Notice its any dirtier than H335 variant...I know they're pretty much the same(ish).

I'll check out the 53gr. I think I still have a box of 50gr Ballistic tips too.

 

[supercorndogs]

Its ok, its dirty, but it was cheap. I probably only ever used a pound or two of h335.

 

[Snuby642]

So this thread is also where I'm at today. I tried mixed headstamps and was disappointed.

Sitting here with 5 gallon buckets of cleaned and deprimed range brass.

My revised plan is to sort several hundred and work in batches.

Develope each batch as a separate load. I have very nice range brass and have decided that any precived premium brands will be sorted out for bartering and the lessor popular brands kept for volume batches.

I single stage and fully prep brass then load on the dillon.

This is my best load from this week and going to pull out all the fc 223 brass I can find.

52g speer and cfe223 at 2.20 coal.
I may play with seating depth.

Full disclosure 50 yard test.
16inch ar.

 

[Sincerd]

I get moa out if 2 rifles with fiiochi range dynamics. Used to be my blasting ammo till its went up to 60 cents a shot. Then I sold it all. Just dont feel like shooting 77 tmks for blasting ammo.

 

[LostInJersey]

I used bulk Hornady 55g FMJ-BT and H335 in a variety of cases. Obviously I did not chase any high node, but I think I kept it around 3000fps, something like that. It would, and still does shoot around 1MOA in my "precision" AR.

The Hornady 55gr FMJ-BTs/H335 is my go to pinking combination. H335 is very consistent and the 55gr's are more than accurate to ring steel.

 

[Gustav7]

I get moa out if 2 rifles with fiiochi range dynamics. Used to be my blasting ammo till its went up to 60 cents a shot. Then I sold it all. Just dont feel like shooting 77 tmks for blasting ammo.

I used to use the green box "Shooting Dynamics" all the time about 7-8 years ago. Reasonably priced and it was good stuff. Haven't bought .223 in years though.

The Hornady 55gr FMJ-BTs/H335 is my go to pinking combination. H335 is very consistent and the 55gr's are more than accurate to ring steel.

Great combo for sure. I'll be using H335 with some 50-55gr Nosler Ballistic Tips soon as well for anything of the Varmint nature.