accurace tips for reloading for ar 15

[huckberry668]

You can get match grade bullets in bulk. powdervalleyinc.com sells Nosler Custom Comp bullets in 1000s. Nosler CCs shoot as well as SMK but cost almost 20% less if you buy 1000.

Brass consistency counts when it comes to accuracy from rifle rounds. For AR15 the 5.56 NATO cases and 223Rem cases slightly differ in weight, internal volume (which cause load density differences), neck length and thickness. These can cause variations in the velocity even out of the exact same load. You'll need to do some head-stamp (556 vs 223 and maker) sorting and case preparation work if you're trying to squeeze every little bit of accuracy out of your AR.

[ireload]

Besides a good bullet. I believe case prep plays a big role on making good match ammo.

Having consistent:
Headspace
Neck tension
Chamfer/debur prime pockets
Uniform primer pockets

Agreed besides the quality/accuracy specific components (bullets, primers, and powder) that's been mentioned already.

[2shotjoe]

I always make a dummy round to make sure it drops in the barrel and extract.

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[billetmann]

prep work and consistency

[calixt0]

Ok I see a lot here that says consitancy... How important is it that I seperate all my brass? Should I seperate by headstamp, by weight or something else entirely?

[ExtremeX]

Ok I see a lot here that says consitancy... How important is it that I seperate all my brass? Should I seperate by headstamp, by weight or something else entirely?

[Quinc]

Ok I see a lot here that says consitancy... How important is it that I seperate all my brass? Should I seperate by headstamp, by weight or something else entirely?

I started down this route and then realized I wasn't a good enough shot yet to be able to tell the difference.

[cfm117]

As an NRA Highpower shooter, I only weigh my cases for 600 yds. 200 and 300 yard line is more forgiving. Consistency is what you are looking for. For all loads the standard prep is trimming, C & D, uniform primer pocket, debur flashhole for uniform ignition, no crimp. Seat bullets using competition seating die like Redding which measures from the Ogive and assures concentricity. Seat my 600 yd 82 gr Bergers .010 off lands and double check concentricity and adjust to .001 or under. Cant blast 10 and x's all day if i do my part

[Kappy]

I guess I'll ask the question... what is your goal? My goal is to bench my rifle and shoot 100yds to try getting a one hole group. Today, I got down to 0.456". It just fits under a dime. I also had two others which were .5160" today. Technically, I haven't reached my goal, but I'm getting somewhere. I'm doing better than most folks at my range expect with an AR. Most folks seem happy if they're getting MOA accuracy (some are happy if they get under 1.5MOA).

In my opinion, you won't get the quality groups of a bolt action rifle. A friend of mine routinely shoots about 0.4MOA with a nice bolt, bench rifle.

So... what distance are we talking? Are we talking benched?

Here was my gameplan.

Ammo: First, I've been through maybe two dozen recipes for this rifle. I was getting great results with a 40gr Vmax, but that wasn't going to do me any good when I went out to 300 or 500yds. I decided to start over with a heavier bullet (50-55gr). I was recently turned on to Sierra Blitzking 55gr. and Accurate 2520. I tried a few reciples with it today. I handload every round and use a competition seater die. I shoot a 5-shot group.

I have a good bench rest. I use a good Caldwell front rest and a pair of sandbags for the back.

I'm also using targets I made. They help me develop a good load. You can download them here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=631922

I hope that helps... but it really depends on what you mean by accurate. My final goal, btw, is to reliably get under 0.5" and have my better targets get down to 0.25-0.3" At the moment, I'm often getting 0.7" and my better targets in the 0.56" range.

[Kappy]

I am going to specifically recommend a competition seater die. Not only does it save me time, it lets you get consistent length.

I do like the plastic tipped bullets, like the Amax, Vmax, or Blitzking. They seem to run a little better for me.

[Quinc]

I guess I'll ask the question... what is your goal? My goal is to bench my rifle and shoot 100yds to try getting a one hole group. Today, I got down to 0.456". It just fits under a dime. I also had two others which were .5160" today. Technically, I haven't reached my goal, but I'm getting somewhere. I'm doing better than most folks at my range expect with an AR. Most folks seem happy if they're getting MOA accuracy (some are happy if they get under 1.5MOA).

In my opinion, you won't get the quality groups of a bolt action rifle. A friend of mine routinely shoots about 0.4MOA with a nice bolt, bench rifle.

So... what distance are we talking? Are we talking benched?

Here was my gameplan.

Ammo: First, I've been through maybe two dozen recipes for this rifle. I was getting great results with a 40gr Vmax, but that wasn't going to do me any good when I went out to 300 or 500yds. I decided to start over with a heavier bullet (50-55gr). I was recently turned on to Sierra Blitzking 55gr. and Accurate 2520. I tried a few reciples with it today. I handload every round and use a competition seater die. I shoot a 5-shot group.

I have a good bench rest. I use a good Caldwell front rest and a pair of sandbags for the back.

I'm also using targets I made. They help me develop a good load. You can download them here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=631922

I hope that helps... but it really depends on what you mean by accurate. My final goal, btw, is to reliably get under 0.5" and have my better targets get down to 0.25-0.3" At the moment, I'm often getting 0.7" and my better targets in the 0.56" range.

Have to semi disagree with that. I shot a 1" group at 500 yards with 80gr Noslers and 25gr of Varget. It was only 3 shots (all I had left for the day) but it shows that a AR is more than capable.

[damndave]

Quality components and consistency.

You need to do load development and figure out what your rifle likes best. Might take trying different powders, bullets etc,

[calixt0]

Ok. thanks for everyones info. I don't have a headspace gauge. I want to make sure I've got my full length sizing die set correctly.

As things are I can put in a resized case in the chamber and close the bolt on my AR-15 fairly easily but its not as easy as on an empty chamber or a brand new round. So do I need to bump the shoulder back a bit more or leave it as it is?

[huckberry668]

Ok I see a lot here that says consitancy... How important is it that I seperate all my brass? Should I seperate by headstamp, by weight or something else entirely?

You asked for 'accuracy tips'. Consistency is the name of that game. Whatever caliber or gun you're loading for.

[Breadfan]

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