Ogive vs OAL Loading ar15 for precision @ mag length

[Quinc]

Ordered up an Hornady Comparator and I'm not quite grasping the ogive vs oal yet. Loading for an AR15 do I just go off the ogive and keep the bullets under 2.26? Going for precision will it make any difference if the oal is 2.23 vs 2.26 as long as the ogive is the same?

[joelogic]

I think you are going to be fighting mag length here. From precision you want to seat the bullet x" distance from the lands which would probably make the round longer than 2.25".

What distances are you going to shoot at? I only measure OAL and my rounds are always at least 1MOA.

[brando]

Bullet tips can often be misshaped and give inconsistent lengths unless you trim the tip (meplat). So given a batch of bullets (especially OTM), even if you seat them to the same depth, because of burrs at the tip you may be getting bad COAL measurements. Measuring the length of the cartridge from the base of the case to the bullet ogive is a far more precise way to measure as the ogive is more consistent and uniform. Of course, as stated above, this says nothing about COAL to mag length.

[Quinc]

Goal is 600 - 1000yards with 69-80gr bullets.

[joelogic]

80's are single feed.
AFAIK, 800yds is really pushing it with .223.

[Ahhnother8]

Goal is 600 - 1000yards with 69-80gr bullets.

Unless you have at least a 20", relatively fast twist barrel, and only plan on using the brass one time, good luck with the 1000. To get to 800 is pretty easy. Basically, you have five bullets from which to choose: 80 JLK, 75 Berger VLD, 80 Berger VLD, 80.5 Berger, and 82 Berger. Anything else is essentially a waste of time, as the wind drift will kill you. Just add lots of powder, seat any of these bullets to mag length, and let them fly.

As previously mentioned: OAL does not matter, as long as they fit in the magazine. Just keep the base to ogive measurements the same.

[Quinc]

80's are single feed.
AFAIK, 800yds is really pushing it with .223.

Dont tell that to this guy who pushed it out to 1 mile..

http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/shooting-223-mile-1.php

[joelogic]

One guy being able to do it has nothing to do with the partiality of it.

Your mind seems set so by all means, it's your money.

[RugerNo1]

Dont tell that to this guy who pushed it out to 1 mile..
http://www.longrangehunting.com/arti...223-mile-1.php

That is also a 28 inch bolt gun, not an AR15 like your OP stated.

Ahhnother8's info is something to keep in mind. I have the same wild hair that you have about pusing the .223 out to 1000 so I am curious about any progress you make.

Here some reading for your pleasure:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/05/223-remington-shooter-equals-gb-1000-yard-f-tr-record/

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/03/cartridges-223-for-palma-competition.html

[brando]

With a .223, anything beyond 600 yards is very difficult to spot splash, whether it's a hit or miss. Can it be done? Yes, but it's less than ideal. Take this video, for example, where I was taking shots on 10x17" steel at 630 yards. Visually, I couldn't tell if I was hitting or missing, only afterward did my buddy say he heard the hits ring.

[Quinc]

So no one uses a comparator when loading for there AR15?

My goal was to figure out the best way to load .223 for an AR15 and not to debate the effectiveness of .223 at long range..


However, I love a good argument; I am shooting a 26" 1-8 twist AR15. So far I have taken it out to 500yards with 55-62gr ammo and able to hit 4" clay pigeons with little effort.

I have a home made reactive steel target that I can easily see hits on out to 1000+. Maybe I will take some pics / video next time I take it out.

[Ahhnother8]

So no one uses a comparator when loading for there AR15?

How do you think we are getting the casehead to ogive measurement?

Last Thursday through Sunday, I fired four days of NRA service rifle highpower matches in Coalinga. Granted, the furthest we shoot in those matches is 600 yards, but I used 82 Bergers seated at mag length the entire time. So did a couple of the other high placing shooters.

With an 8 twist, you are going to need some speed to keep the bullets pointing forward at the 1000.