Reloading for the Budget AR

doc540 · May 4, 2014, 08:43 PM

thought I'd snag an upper from PSA and mount a Mueller on it for a fun project

shot it for the second time today

200yds, stock trigger, off a bag

69gr Sierra BTHP's, Varget, range brass, Federal primers

good starting point, but certainly no bolt rifle

Palmetto-Pride · May 4, 2014, 09:59 PM

1.5" @ 200yds is less than 1 MOA you can't expect much more than that from a AR....

doc540 · May 4, 2014, 10:07 PM

really?

how does the MOA thing work?

BrokenBottles · May 4, 2014, 10:52 PM

An inch for every 100 yards.
3moa at 300 yards would be 3 inches.

That's a really good group though, especially with a stock trigger, at least from what I've heard.

2ndchance · May 4, 2014, 11:05 PM

I think what he meant to say was, 1MOA @ 100yd is 1". 1MOA @ 300yd is 3". Continuing, 1MOA @ 700yd is 7". And so on. So your 1.5" group @ 200yd is a sub-MOA group. That is fantastic!

BrokenBottles · May 4, 2014, 11:36 PM

Lol, what 2ndchance said.
Thanks for clearing up what I said

Jim243 · May 5, 2014, 12:17 AM

Except for one flyer your 5 shot group is almost 0.5 MOA for 200 yards that is damn good shooting.

Jim

doc540 · May 5, 2014, 08:40 AM

who'da thunk it

That's encouraging since it was windy, the trigger is stiff, and I'm a new reloader to .223 target loads.

Well, that and the rap on PSA uppers is they're junky, too.

This is gonna be fun!

btw: notice the group above and covered with stickies. I made a click or two right adjustment, and they moved right but down a bit, too. oh, well

Palmetto-Pride · May 5, 2014, 06:44 PM

Please look at this video to help you better understand MOA.......

http://nssf.org/video/facts/MOA.cfm

jepp2 · May 5, 2014, 09:12 PM

If you are interested in improving the trigger there are lots of options. If you want to stay mil spec, Bill Springfield does excellent work link.

2ndchance · May 6, 2014, 08:46 AM

Trigger pull can be greatly improved by installing the JP Enterprise 3.5# or 4.5# fire control springs. It's amazing and less than $13.00.

Jay24bal · May 6, 2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Well, that and the rap on PSA uppers is they're junky, too.

I would not go as far as to say that. Depending on which upper you purchased, most of them are what I would call "above average" at least. Based on the MI fore end, there is a good chance your barrel is made by FN. I am not saying FN makes the best match quality barrel out there, but it is not "junky."

Now, AFAIK, no one really knows where the PTAC line of uppers from PSA come from if that is what you have.

And BTW, nice shooting. Sub MOA on your first foray into target ammo with a new gun is doing pretty well.

doc540 · May 6, 2014, 03:00 PM

Thanks!

NOW we're gettin' somewhere! Windy today, but the budget AR shot a great group at 200yds. Of course, there had to be the obligatory flier.

I do believe I have found a load it likes - 77gr Sierra BTHP over 24.7gr of Varget.

May 4, 2014, 08:43 PM	#1
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	Reloading for the Budget AR thought I'd snag an upper from PSA and mount a Mueller on it for a fun project shot it for the second time today 200yds, stock trigger, off a bag 69gr Sierra BTHP's, Varget, range brass, Federal primers good starting point, but certainly no bolt rifle __________________ Shooting more, typing less

May 4, 2014, 09:59 PM	#2
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	1.5" @ 200yds is less than 1 MOA you can't expect much more than that from a AR.... __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

May 4, 2014, 10:07 PM	#3
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	really? how does the MOA thing work? __________________ Shooting more, typing less

May 4, 2014, 10:52 PM	#4
BrokenBottles Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: The worst Lancaster in the U.S. Posts: 119	An inch for every 100 yards. 3moa at 300 yards would be 3 inches. That's a really good group though, especially with a stock trigger, at least from what I've heard. __________________ "Lube the hell out of your Llama. Run it wet and it should be a decent pistol."

May 4, 2014, 11:36 PM	#6
BrokenBottles Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: The worst Lancaster in the U.S. Posts: 119	Lol, what 2ndchance said. Thanks for clearing up what I said __________________ "Lube the hell out of your Llama. Run it wet and it should be a decent pistol."

May 4, 2014, 11:05 PM	#5
2ndchance Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 180	I think what he meant to say was, 1MOA @ 100yd is 1". 1MOA @ 300yd is 3". Continuing, 1MOA @ 700yd is 7". And so on. So your 1.5" group @ 200yd is a sub-MOA group. That is fantastic!

May 5, 2014, 12:17 AM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Except for one flyer your 5 shot group is almost 0.5 MOA for 200 yards that is damn good shooting. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

May 5, 2014, 08:40 AM	#8
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	who'da thunk it That's encouraging since it was windy, the trigger is stiff, and I'm a new reloader to .223 target loads. Well, that and the rap on PSA uppers is they're junky, too. This is gonna be fun! btw: notice the group above and covered with stickies. I made a click or two right adjustment, and they moved right but down a bit, too. oh, well __________________ Shooting more, typing less

May 5, 2014, 06:44 PM	#9
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	Please look at this video to help you better understand MOA.......http://nssf.org/video/facts/MOA.cfm __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

May 5, 2014, 09:12 PM	#10
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	If you are interested in improving the trigger there are lots of options. If you want to stay mil spec, Bill Springfield does excellent work link. __________________ NRA Benefactor Life member

May 6, 2014, 08:46 AM	#11
2ndchance Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 180	Trigger pull can be greatly improved by installing the JP Enterprise 3.5# or 4.5# fire control springs. It's amazing and less than $13.00.

May 6, 2014, 03:00 PM	#13
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	Thanks! NOW we're gettin' somewhere! Windy today, but the budget AR shot a great group at 200yds. Of course, there had to be the obligatory flier. I do believe I have found a load it likes - 77gr Sierra BTHP over 24.7gr of Varget. __________________ Shooting more, typing less

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