First Time AR15 OCW Reload

browninghunter86 · April 7, 2012, 05:30 PM

First time reloading for my AR15. DPMS Oracle with AimPoint Red Dot scope and chambered for 223/5.56 with GripPod installed on it.

Bullet: MidwayUSA 55gr FMJBT w/cannelure
Powder: H335
Primer: TulAmmo 5.56 SR Mag
Brass: R P Range Pickup FL sized and prepped

I know I have to take it further to really help see best load but was making sure my reloading practice was ok for the gun and the shot ok.

Here is 25yd off bipod with red dot target

25.0 group had ONE FTF??

Jimro · April 7, 2012, 06:36 PM

Ok, I think you should have either used a scope instead of a red dot as the geometric center of your groups changed significantly with each target, OR you should look at 24.2, 24.4, and 24.6 to see if you identify the accuracy node. To me the shift between 25.3 and 25.6 was the least impressive of the bunch. You might also try to look for an accuracy node at a lower velocity.

Jimro

browninghunter86 · April 7, 2012, 06:46 PM

hmmmm. I thought 25.3 and 25.6 showed most promise. They are the exact same POI basically? Both groups hit right at bottom of target right at bottom of center crosshair line. This was using Dan Newberrys OCW method of load development.... My red dot covered the orange targets exactly the the edges so my POA was the exact same on every target.

I am new to this OCW and defianately to reloading for Ar15

jepp2 · April 7, 2012, 08:13 PM

25.3 looks like the best option to me. Any reason why you opted to use 25 yards as the distance? I find 100 yards to be much more representative of the group size than shorter distances. There isn't a 4x increase when going from 25 yards to 100 yards, it can be much more in my experience.

browninghunter86 · April 7, 2012, 08:19 PM

jepp2: used 25 because this was first time reloading for this rifle and caliber and wanted to just make sure I did everything correctly to make them safely shoot. I will work 50 yds next week and then 100yds after that. I have to find what size targets will allow me to see the target the same each time at those distances.

thanks for the post

steve4102 · April 8, 2012, 07:35 AM

As you stated you should go deep for a better sample.

As 25.3 and 25.6 are almost identical, I would go half way in between the two.

browninghunter86 · April 8, 2012, 09:23 AM

not sure since I do not have a chrony but those in the 25gr range should be moving pretty good for me in my 16" barrel I believe.

Jim243 · April 8, 2012, 09:30 AM

Nice going for a first try, looks like you have been reloading for some time. I would stay away from the mag primers for the 223 (burns the powder too fast) you might develop a better pressure curve with standard small rifle primers.

My standard load for 55 grain .224 bullets is 25.5 grains of H-335.

Again nice going and good luck.

Jim

browninghunter86 · April 8, 2012, 12:54 PM

Jim243: was recommended mag primers for the AR to help reduce chance of slamfires with reloads. Next get to take them out further distance to see how the same groups shoot

Thanks for the help. This is actually my first time reloading for my Ar15 and only been reloading my 308 for about 3 months now

Jim243 · April 8, 2012, 08:17 PM

Oh, what you want are CCI No.41/5.56MM primers not mag primers. They are made with a little heavier metal. Those are the mil spec primers.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/produc...imer_chart.htm

I have slammed the bolt on thousands of Winchester small rifle primers from my AR without one slamfire, but there is always a first time so not a bad idea.

Jim

browninghunter86 · April 8, 2012, 08:33 PM

these are kvb556M primers from tulammo. suppose to be thicker mil spec type primers from what my research came up with and other forum posts and suggestions from other reloaders.

http://tulammousa.com/products/non-c...boxer-primers/

April 7, 2012, 05:30 PM	#1
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	First Time AR15 OCW Reload First time reloading for my AR15. DPMS Oracle with AimPoint Red Dot scope and chambered for 223/5.56 with GripPod installed on it. Bullet: MidwayUSA 55gr FMJBT w/cannelure Powder: H335 Primer: TulAmmo 5.56 SR Mag Brass: R P Range Pickup FL sized and prepped I know I have to take it further to really help see best load but was making sure my reloading practice was ok for the gun and the shot ok. Here is 25yd off bipod with red dot target 25.0 group had ONE FTF??

April 7, 2012, 06:36 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Ok, I think you should have either used a scope instead of a red dot as the geometric center of your groups changed significantly with each target, OR you should look at 24.2, 24.4, and 24.6 to see if you identify the accuracy node. To me the shift between 25.3 and 25.6 was the least impressive of the bunch. You might also try to look for an accuracy node at a lower velocity. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

April 8, 2012, 09:30 AM	#8
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Nice going for a first try, looks like you have been reloading for some time. I would stay away from the mag primers for the 223 (burns the powder too fast) you might develop a better pressure curve with standard small rifle primers. My standard load for 55 grain .224 bullets is 25.5 grains of H-335. Again nice going and good luck. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

April 8, 2012, 08:17 PM	#10
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Oh, what you want are CCI No.41/5.56MM primers not mag primers. They are made with a little heavier metal. Those are the mil spec primers. http://www.cci-ammunition.com/produc...imer_chart.htm I have slammed the bolt on thousands of Winchester small rifle primers from my AR without one slamfire, but there is always a first time so not a bad idea. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

April 7, 2012, 06:46 PM	#3
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	hmmmm. I thought 25.3 and 25.6 showed most promise. They are the exact same POI basically? Both groups hit right at bottom of target right at bottom of center crosshair line. This was using Dan Newberrys OCW method of load development.... My red dot covered the orange targets exactly the the edges so my POA was the exact same on every target. I am new to this OCW and defianately to reloading for Ar15

April 7, 2012, 08:13 PM	#4
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	25.3 looks like the best option to me. Any reason why you opted to use 25 yards as the distance? I find 100 yards to be much more representative of the group size than shorter distances. There isn't a 4x increase when going from 25 yards to 100 yards, it can be much more in my experience.

April 7, 2012, 08:19 PM	#5
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	jepp2: used 25 because this was first time reloading for this rifle and caliber and wanted to just make sure I did everything correctly to make them safely shoot. I will work 50 yds next week and then 100yds after that. I have to find what size targets will allow me to see the target the same each time at those distances. thanks for the post

April 8, 2012, 07:35 AM	#6
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	As you stated you should go deep for a better sample. As 25.3 and 25.6 are almost identical, I would go half way in between the two.

April 8, 2012, 09:23 AM	#7
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	not sure since I do not have a chrony but those in the 25gr range should be moving pretty good for me in my 16" barrel I believe.

April 8, 2012, 12:54 PM	#9
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	Jim243: was recommended mag primers for the AR to help reduce chance of slamfires with reloads. Next get to take them out further distance to see how the same groups shoot Thanks for the help. This is actually my first time reloading for my Ar15 and only been reloading my 308 for about 3 months now

April 8, 2012, 08:33 PM	#11
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	these are kvb556M primers from tulammo. suppose to be thicker mil spec type primers from what my research came up with and other forum posts and suggestions from other reloaders. http://tulammousa.com/products/non-c...boxer-primers/