What weight could I run?

hyrczyk · March 23, 2010, 08:22 PM

I'm just finishing my 11.5" AR pistol build with a 1:9 twist and am wondering what is the heaviest bullet I could run effectively. Mostly will be feeding 62gr fmj that I have nice loads worked up for that run great in my other ARs with 1:9 and 1:7 twist rates but would like a heavier round for defensive purposes and small animal problems up here that I may encounter. I was looking at Sierra hpbt and Hornady A-max both in the low to mid 70s for weight. I would probably end up using these also in my other AR carbines. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

Jim243 · March 23, 2010, 08:25 PM

You are going to be limited in length (weight) of bullet by the OAL max for your magazines (2.260). Else you have a one shot pistol. (LOL) Same issue for your other ARs.

Jim

DiscoRacing · March 23, 2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

You are going to be limited in length (weight) of bullet by the OAL max for your magazines

BINGO

70gr is a heck of a long bullet in .224
I load em for a VLSS

hyrczyk · March 23, 2010, 08:32 PM

I've run 75gr before (factory loads) in my other ARs and have been fine but those also have 16 and 20" barrel lengths-reason why I was wondering how they would be with the 11.5 barrel more in terms of stabilizing the heavier bullet being a short barrel. If I had to I could swap out to a 1:7 barrel once money permits. Like you said it could end up as a 1 shot if not careful and what fun would that be then-lol.

Jim243 · March 23, 2010, 08:40 PM

Factory loads are an horse of a different color as they say in the wizard of oz. I have never found a load using powder available to get a 75 grain A-Max (my favorite) down to fit in the AR's mags. I load them for my Mod 11 Savage, they work great but it's (rifle) made for longer 223s.

If you know what powder they are using, we could try to match the factory load.

Jim

hyrczyk · March 23, 2010, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the input. It's been a few years since I had those loads. I'll have to try and do some digging to find out what powder they used and who made them. I know they were a ballistic tip type. Has any one tried the 68hp?

Jim243 · March 23, 2010, 11:09 PM

No, but the 53 grain HPs are so accurate out of a 1 in 9 that it is spooky, and traveling at about 3,000 FPS they will get the job done, even out of a 11 inch barrel.

Jim

March 23, 2010, 08:22 PM	#1
hyrczyk Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: NE WI Posts: 24	What weight could I run? I'm just finishing my 11.5" AR pistol build with a 1:9 twist and am wondering what is the heaviest bullet I could run effectively. Mostly will be feeding 62gr fmj that I have nice loads worked up for that run great in my other ARs with 1:9 and 1:7 twist rates but would like a heavier round for defensive purposes and small animal problems up here that I may encounter. I was looking at Sierra hpbt and Hornady A-max both in the low to mid 70s for weight. I would probably end up using these also in my other AR carbines. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

March 23, 2010, 08:25 PM	#2
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	You are going to be limited in length (weight) of bullet by the OAL max for your magazines (2.260). Else you have a one shot pistol. (LOL) Same issue for your other ARs. Jim

March 23, 2010, 08:32 PM	#4
hyrczyk Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: NE WI Posts: 24	I've run 75gr before (factory loads) in my other ARs and have been fine but those also have 16 and 20" barrel lengths-reason why I was wondering how they would be with the 11.5 barrel more in terms of stabilizing the heavier bullet being a short barrel. If I had to I could swap out to a 1:7 barrel once money permits. Like you said it could end up as a 1 shot if not careful and what fun would that be then-lol.

March 23, 2010, 08:40 PM	#5
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Factory loads are an horse of a different color as they say in the wizard of oz. I have never found a load using powder available to get a 75 grain A-Max (my favorite) down to fit in the AR's mags. I load them for my Mod 11 Savage, they work great but it's (rifle) made for longer 223s. If you know what powder they are using, we could try to match the factory load. Jim

March 23, 2010, 09:04 PM	#6
hyrczyk Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: NE WI Posts: 24	Thanks for the input. It's been a few years since I had those loads. I'll have to try and do some digging to find out what powder they used and who made them. I know they were a ballistic tip type. Has any one tried the 68hp?

March 23, 2010, 11:09 PM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	No, but the 53 grain HPs are so accurate out of a 1 in 9 that it is spooky, and traveling at about 3,000 FPS they will get the job done, even out of a 11 inch barrel. Jim