77gr .223/5.56 load recommendations?

I’m interested in starting to reload .223/5.56

I’ve got plenty of 55 gr factory ammo on hand, so I’m eyeing 77 gr for longer(-ish) range precision since decent 69-77 gr ammo is still pretty expensive. I figure I can reload for 60% of the commercial cost or less.

Right now I have a pound of Varget on hand, and 100 77gr Sierra Match King projectiles.
I’m interested in both cost-effectiveness and accuracy as I go forward. A projectile with good terminal effects would be an added bonus.
Longer, heavier projectiles from 69-77 (maybe heavier?) are my focus.

In my current level of ignorance, I’m considering buying more 77 gr SMK in bulk and either Varget or CFE 223 (CFE 223 seems to be about $40/lb around here, while Varget is over $50/lb).

But I don’t know what I don’t know.

Input is welcome.

You can't go wrong with a 77 SMK. Load them at 2.260 OAL, and they shoot very well.

Varget is the most popular powder for 69+ grain 223 loads. It can be pricey, and sometimes hard to find. CFE223 meters well and a good friend likes it for his 77 grain loads. It is a ball powder so it is going to be more sensitive to temperature extremes, which is an issue if you are loading near max or worried about velocity variances at longer distances.

$40-50 lb powder is highway robbery but I guess that is where we are these days. I've seen TAC become available for ~$25 lb in 8 pound jugs lately and it performs well behind heavy bullets.

Reloder 15 and VihtaVuori N140 are good alternatives to Varget. Lately I have been shooting N540 in my bolt action. On my last test, 24.5 grains with a 77 yielded a 0.41" 5-shot group. I want to try and see if I can get another 0.5 grains because I think it will burn a little cleaner there, and clean up the deviation in velocity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

Right now I have a pound of Varget on hand, and 100 77gr Sierra Match King projectiles.
I’m interested in both cost-effectiveness and accuracy as I go forward. A projectile with good terminal effects would be an added bonus.
Longer, heavier projectiles from 69-77 (maybe heavier?) are my focus.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SecondsCount

You can't go wrong with a 77 SMK. Load them at 2.260 OAL, and they shoot very well.

Varget is the most popular powder for 69+ grain 223 loads. It can be pricey, and sometimes hard to find. CFE223 meters well and a good friend likes it for his 77 grain loads.

---

I think a big question is how you plan to meter the charges, and if you are planning to do single stage or progressive. Are these for a bolt gun or carbine? I figure Imma gonna drop charges for a carbine, and I do not currently have a bolt gun in .223. So I am going to drop charges, and if I am doing this on a progressive, I want to use the powder check. So I want to use some kind of ball powder since I will just meter the charges and load the rounds on a 650, so I also use the powder check. But I am just loading general use rounds, and use some at three gun.

The way I figure it is that you can load 77gn for the same effort.

If you are going to weigh each charge I say get started with the Varget, but if you meter it there can be bridging and other inconsistency, so I would for sure use a powder check if you are on a progressive.

I bought a bunch of SMK77s one day when I found them in stock, and I have a bunch loaded into nice once fired LC cases. Now I am curious about these RMR 75gn BTHPs (ETA: I forgot the link...), since they are like half price. I will probably get some and load them into random cases I bought, when you miss at three gun you just shoot again, and it not typically because of the cartridge... :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mmc45414

...

I bought a bunch of SMK77s one day when I found them in stock, and I have a bunch loaded into nice once fired LC cases. Now I am curious about these RMR 75gn BTHPs (ETA: I forgot the link...), since they are like half price. I will probably get some and load them into random cases I bought, when you miss at three gun you just shoot again, and it not typically because of the cartridge... :cool:

---

I have been running the 69 3GH with a glimpse of success. Some five shot, 100 yard groups as small as .25" and then they fall apart, spreading out to as large as 2". Powder on the slower side works best for my tests.

It will be interesting to see how the 75 performs for you.

I’ll be loading on a Lee Classic Turret press, using either a Lee double disk powder measure or the Lee Auto Drum (I have both).
I generally weigh 10 or more drops for a given setting, and with other powders, usually have +/-0.1 gr variation.
The loads are for a carbine - a 16” Geissele Super Duty, to be specific.

I’m currently debating between Varget and Benchmark, as I believe Bechmark is a ball powder, and may meter better. But I still have a whole pound of Varget on hand, so I’ll be able to see how it meters, too..

And thanks for the lead on the 75 gr RMR - those potentially look like a real bargain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mmc45414

I think a big question is how you plan to meter the charges, and if you are planning to do single stage or progressive. Are these for a bolt gun or carbine? I figure Imma gonna drop charges for a carbine, and I do not currently have a bolt gun in .223. So I am going to drop charges, and if I am doing this on a progressive, I want to use the powder check. So I want to use some kind of ball powder since I will just meter the charges and load the rounds on a 650, so I also use the powder check. But I am just loading general use rounds, and use some at three gun.

The way I figure it is that you can load 77gn for the same effort.

If you are going to weigh each charge I say get started with the Varget, but if you meter it there can be bridging and other inconsistency, so I would for sure use a powder check if you are on a progressive.

I bought a bunch of SMK77s one day when I found them in stock, and I have a bunch loaded into nice once fired LC cases. Now I am curious about these RMR 75gn BTHPs (ETA: I forgot the link...), since they are like half price. I will probably get some and load them into random cases I bought, when you miss at three gun you just shoot again, and it not typically because of the cartridge... :cool:

---

Benchmark is a short cut extruded powder, much faster burning than Varget. It will work for 77s but the velocity will be on the slower side.

It should meter pretty well but you'll get the occasional 0.2 grain variation.

I have an older copy of Sierras loading manual and they list an AR-15 starting load for 77 gr SMK @ 223 pressures at 22.6 gr of Varget at 2400 FPS, maxing out at 23.9 gr at 2550 FPS. This is out of a 20 inch 1-7 twist barrel in FC cases with Remington 7-1/2 primers. Bolt action rifle loads are higher, as would be 5.56 loads. Use this data at your own risk, I haven't tried these loads and cannot make any recommendations based on simply posting information out of a book.

5.56 loads aren't shown in my manual, nor any of the "newer" powders. I now see how obsolete this manual has become. Time to upgrade!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 358156hp

I have an older copy of Sierras loading manual and they list an AR-15 starting load for 77 gr SMK @ 223 pressures at 22.6 gr of Varget at 2400 FPS, maxing out at 23.9 gr at 2550 FPS. This is out of a 20 inch 1-7 twist barrel in FC cases with Remington 7-1/2 primers. Bolt action rifle loads are higher, as would be 5.56 loads. Use this data at your own risk, I haven't tried these loads and cannot make any recommendations based on simply posting information out of a book.

5.56 loads aren't shown in my manual, nor any of the "newer" powders. I now see how obsolete this manual has become. Time to upgrade!

---

Thank you! I have Lee and Lyman books, but was unable to find any data from Sierra, or directly referencing SMK (only “77 gr HPBT” or the like).

The above post reminds me of a question that’s been floating in my head…

Where does one find 5.56 load data?
My rifle has a 5.56 chamber (Geissele) - is there any difference in the physical dimensions of 5.56 vs .223? Since it’s not a SAAMI spec, I’m having trouble discerning the precise difference.
My Lee dies are labeled “.223 Remington” - can I make “5.56 ammo” with them simply by increasing the charge/pressure?

ETA- never mind on the dimensional differences - some Googling has shown that the cartridges are essentially the same.
I’m still interested in where one finds 5.56 load data, however

From the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

BULLET WEIGHT
77 GR. SIE HPBT
CASE
WINCHESTER
PRIMER
WINCHESTER SR, SMALL RIFLE
Manufacturer Hodgdon

Powder Benchmark

Bullet Diam. 0.224"
C.O.L 2.2600
Starting Load Grs. 20.5
Vel. (ft/s) 2,523
Pressure 37,400 CUP

Maximum Load Grs. 22.8
Vel. (ft/s) 2,763
Pressure 50,000 CUP


BULLET WEIGHT
77 GR. SIE HPBT
CASE
WINCHESTER
PRIMER
WINCHESTER SR, SMALL RIFLE
Manufacturer Hodgdon

Powder Varget

Bullet Diam. 0.224"
C.O.L 2.2600
Starting Load Grs. 21.0
Vel. (ft/s) 2,528
Pressure 42,700 CUP

Maximum Load Grs. 23.7C
Vel. (ft/s) 2,737
Pressure 50,700 CUP


I found it interesting that they show Benchmark giving more velocity. My experience is that I started having pressure signs before reaching max velocity. It really depends on your chamber.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

I’m interested in starting to reload .223/5.56

I’ve got plenty of 55 gr factory ammo on hand, so I’m eyeing 77 gr for longer(-ish) range precision since decent 69-77 gr ammo is still pretty expensive. I figure I can reload for 60% of the commercial cost or less.

Right now I have a pound of Varget on hand, and 100 77gr Sierra Match King projectiles.
I’m interested in both cost-effectiveness and accuracy as I go forward. A projectile with good terminal effects would be an added bonus.
Longer, heavier projectiles from 69-77 (maybe heavier?) are my focus.

In my current level of ignorance, I’m considering buying more 77 gr SMK in bulk and either Varget or CFE 223 (CFE 223 seems to be about $40/lb around here, while Varget is over $50/lb).

But I don’t know what I don’t know.

Input is welcome.

---

Google 77 gr service rifle load data. Highpower shooters cracked the code for 77 gr smk ar loads quite a while back and there is a ton of info available from their experience with this bullet and varget/rl15/4895/aa2520/tac/benchmark/vv540/....


Back in the 80's/90's when 308 was still a viable nra/cmp service rifle option the joking answer to new shooter inquiries on load suggestions was usually something like: 168 gr. Smk, lc brass and 42.5 grains of "something black" meaning any appropriate m14/m1 grand speed powder. Nowadays the internet and liability makes it harder to be so flippant with strangers but if you look at enough threads using the Google query I suggested you will see similar-ish patterns emerge for each of the powders listed above for reliable/accurate mag length ammo that should shoot at least 10 ring accuracy at 600 yds sling supported, developed by shooting a lot of rounds through a lot of different guns by a lot of different people and the answers being fairly consistent.

You should end up somewhere in the mid 2500- to low 2600's with varget and a 77gr and a 16" barrel. Depending on chamber , your lot of varget (there is a fair amount of variance experienced) , and what brass you are using the answer will probably be less 24.5 grs and likely in the 23- 24 gr range. Start low, work up use common sense...

I think a powder that drops well will be the most important thing. You might consider trickling a few and dropping a few with the same powder to see if the dropped charges are as accurate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mmc45414

I think a powder that drops well will be the most important thing. You might consider trickling a few and dropping a few with the same powder to see if the dropped charges are as accurate.

---

Thanks, I’ll absolutely validate by powder drop. Waiting on Lee powder-though die to arrive to test drops with Varget.

I use a Dillon 650 for my bolt rifle loads with a 77 grain SMK bullet. I am using a RCBS Chargemaster to trickle each load after priming and then seating with the Dillon. I am using one of the spiffy Whidden floating tool heads too, if that matters.

24 grains of Varget
2.26" COAL
Norma casing
Remington 7.5 primer

Out of my bolt gun 26" barrel with 1/8 rifling and a 223 Wylde chamber I am getting an average of 2782 ft/sec with an SD of 15.3. I am running this gun suppressed. Also, this is a .5 MOA load out of this rifle for me.

I am learning how to do repeatable case prep, and have now started annealing every loading. I just bought some Laupa casings and I am going to start using them when the Norma casings finally fail. They have 4 loadings through them now.

As always, YMMV and use with caution. FWIW, chasing the lands with this loading performed substantially worse than a standard 2.26 COAL. I got the the 24 grain charge by running a ladder.

I prefer the Tipped Match King (TMK) 77 grain bullet. In my limited experience, it flies well and offers better terminal performance than the SMK. I get good groups with 24.2 - 24.4 grains Varget. Please be cautious and work up slowly.

Thank you to all who have contributed.

I’ve been working up some 77 gr SMK loads and testing them.
I’ve been trying to drive the bullets to the 2630-2650 fps range from a 16” barrel, as I’ve been told that it’s the velocity range that seems to optimize accuracy.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

77 gr SMK BTHP
2.26” COAL
23.6 gr Varget
16”: 2,470 fps 1.875” group of 12 (7 inside 0.875”, 5 touching)
24.4 gr Varget
16”: 2,584 fps 1.75” group of 5 (4 inside 0.875”)
24.7 gr Varget
16”: 2,624 fps 1.75” group of 5 (4 inside 0.625”)

Even the 24.7 gr wasn’t showing any signs of excessive pressure. That last loading got me pretty much to the velocity range I was looking for, and seemed to optimize accuracy as well.

I’ve been toying around with the ideal of building a .223 bolt gun as a practice gun for PRS/NRL. One concern I have with the lighter bullets is ability to see hits. So for the hell of it the other day I grabbed an AR (18” JP bbl that had a 3-14x scope mounted), attached a bipod, and a box of 75 gr Hornady reloads with RL-15 to give it a try at distances ranging from 300 out to 717 yds.

I worked up a quick profile of the rifle and ammo in Strelock to get dope, then started banging away at steel plates ranging from 300 out to past 700 yds.

Between 300-576 I was getting first round and consistent impacts on 8-12” size steel plates. The plates were on straps or chains so they were reactive enough when hit. The 717 yd target was a 2/3 IPSC on a T-post and was a little more iffy to see impacts but I could hear them. There was some wind so I was trying to account for that, but the plate was surrounded by tumble weeds so had a difficult time spotting my misses for correction. Eventually I found the right wind call and started getting impacts but it wasn’t consistent. I figured I was getting close to the max range for that particular load.

No real moral to the story, other than than compared to other calibers .223 is not really “long range”, but inside of 600 yds I think it’s plenty capable of ringing steel even with a gas gun. Maybe I could improve on that with a bolt gun and playing around with my load (i.e. try Hornady ELDMs instead of bulk Hornady 75 gr pills). But at the end of the day spotting hits/misses is harder with lighter bullets than 6mm or 6.5mm. Especially in the winter when the ground is frozen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ECK

I’ve been toying around with the ideal of building a .223 bolt gun as a practice gun for PRS/NRL. One concern I have with the lighter bullets is ability to see hits. So for the hell of it the other day I grabbed an AR (18” JP bbl that had a 3-14x scope mounted), attached a bipod, and a box of 75 gr Hornady reloads with RL-15 to give it a try at distances ranging from 300 out to 717 yds.

....

---

Compared to a larger caliber, such as 6.5 Creedmoor, the 75 BTHP load is going to have about 50% more wind drift. In a bolt gun, you can go with the much higher BC of the 75 or 80 ELD. Run them out of a 24" barrel, and you'll see about a 20% difference in wind drift.

I shoot a 24" 1:7 Krieger, and the difference in energy on target between an 18 and a 24" barrel is definitely noticeable. The added velocity makes a noticeable improvement to the BC as well.

I shoot my 223 bolt guns about 10x more than the big guns. Lots of fun, even if it is a little windy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SecondsCount

Compared to a larger caliber, such as 6.5 Creedmoor, the 75 BTHP load is going to have about 50% more wind drift. In a bolt gun, you can go with the much higher BC of the 75 or 80 ELD. Run them out of a 24" barrel, and you'll see about a 20% difference in wind drift.

I shoot a 24" 1:7 Krieger, and the difference in energy on target between an 18 and a 24" barrel is definitely noticeable. The added velocity makes a noticeable improvement to the BC as well.

I shoot my 223 bolt guns about 10x more than the big guns. Lots of fun, even if it is a little windy.

---

Good point on the 24” barrel yielding more velocity and better BC bullets to buck the wind less.

Its lower on my priority scale (currently building another rifle in another caliber) but one of these days I’ll have to add a .223 bolt gun to the collection bc they are just too much fun.

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/prod...rican-practice

77gr tmk sold in bulk. Shhhhhh

I've found 25gr TAC gets be good velocity and accuracy. I'm my latest build (a none free floated 14.5" Remington m4a1 barrel with a 3x optic) I'm averaging just over 1moa(2.25" @ 200 yards) off a stump.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 03RN

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/prod...rican-practice

77gr tmk sold in bulk. Shhhhhh

---

I also just loaded 1k of these 75gn OTMs from RMR, they are about half of what SMKs go for. No testing yet, still sorting a few things on the rifle they are planned for.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 03RN

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/prod...rican-practice

77gr tmk sold in bulk. Shhhhhh

I've found 25gr TAC gets be good velocity and accuracy. I'm my latest build (a none free floated 14.5" Remington m4a1 barrel with a 3x optic) I'm averaging just over 1moa(2.25" @ 200 yards) off a stump.

---

Slightly cheaper at Sheel’s:
https://www.scheels.com/p/sierra-mat...1=.224&start=1

And free shipping

I stocked up there a few weeks ago

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

Slightly cheaper at Sheel’s:
https://www.scheels.com/p/sierra-mat...1=.224&start=1

And free shipping

I stocked up there a few weeks ago

---

Those are hpbt, not tmk. It's also $160 vs $140 so they're not even cheaper lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mmc45414

I also just loaded 1k of these 75gn OTMs from RMR, they are about half of what SMKs go for. No testing yet, still sorting a few things on the rifle they are planned for.

---

I just finished loading 2 batches of them. 1k with shooters world tactical and 1k with TAC. I couldn't find a sub moa load for my SPR so I just loaded them with the best I could do and they do ok. Ateast trajectory will be closer to the TMK and better terminal performance than m193/855

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 03RN

Those are hpbt, not tmk. It's also $160 vs $140 so they're not even cheaper lol.

---

Whoops- I misread your post as SMK.

Thanks for the tip on TMK- that’s a great price - I may pick some of those up.

As to 77 gr SMK, Sheel’s beat Creedmoor by $5 per 500.

One day back in 2020 when nothing was available I logged into Brownells to show my friend what we were keeping an eye out for, and they had 77gn SMK in stock. With him leaning over my shoulder saying GET EM!!! I ended up buying 4k of them. He got some, I kept some, another friend got some, now I have 1k of them loaded into nice once-fired LC cases. I wanted the RMR to approximate them, so I loaded the same charge of CFE223. I will mostly shoot them at 3gun at a local club where there is a 200yd range they typically use every other month, sometimes with some pesky-small plates. Initially I plan to load up at least one mag of SMK in the case that we get there and the 200yd range is setup, since those will be the load the gun is most precisely zeroed for, and load my other mags with the RMRs. If the RMRs do well enough I will probably just save all of the SMKs for a rainy day.

My calculation is that I can load the RMRs in once-fired range brass I bought for about what 55gn steel case ammo currently costs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

Whoops- I misread your post as SMK.

Thanks for the tip on TMK- that’s a great price - I may pick some of those up.

As to 77 gr SMK, Sheel’s beat Creedmoor by $5 per 500.

---

No worries and good to know

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mmc45414

One day back in 2020 when nothing was available I logged into Brownells to show my friend what we were keeping an eye out for, and they had 77gn SMK in stock. With him leaning over my shoulder saying GET EM!!! I ended up buying 4k of them. He got some, I kept some, another friend got some, now I have 1k of them loaded into nice once-fired LC cases. I wanted the RMR to approximate them, so I loaded the same charge of CFE223. I will mostly shoot them at 3gun at a local club where there is a 200yd range they typically use every other month, sometimes with some pesky-small plates. Initially I plan to load up at least one mag of SMK in the case that we get there and the 200yd range is setup, since those will be the load the gun is most precisely zeroed for, and load my other mags with the RMRs. If the RMRs do well enough I will probably just save all of the SMKs for a rainy day.

My calculation is that I can load the RMRs in once-fired range brass I bought for about what 55gn steel case ammo currently costs.

---

That's exactly why I get them.

Here's my favorite 77gr hand load:

77 gr Berger OTM
24 gr IMR 8208 XBR
Length: 2.264-2.265 in
Primer: CCI #450 (SR Mag) (= CCI#41)
PMC once fired brass
Velocity: 2782 fps (18” barrel)

[Use at your own risk. Work up to full charge weight carefully]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 03RN

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/prod...rican-practice

77gr tmk sold in bulk. Shhhhhh

I've found 25gr TAC gets be good velocity and accuracy. I'm my latest build (a none free floated 14.5" Remington m4a1 barrel with a 3x optic) I'm averaging just over 1moa(2.25" @ 200 yards) off a stump.

---

Are you sure that your load is 25.0 grains of TAC? That is 1.6 grains over book maximum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SecondsCount

Are you sure that your load is 25.0 grains of TAC? That is 1.6 grains over book maximum.

---

Sorry, 24gr. 24.8 is book max for 556.

I never got the Velocity I wanted from Varget with 77gr SMK. Accuracy was solid, but I was trying to get distance from it. When I tried CFE223 it was never accurate for me, and I tried for a bit with it. Maybe I just wasn't getting my life together right for it. I ended up with AA2520, and I got accuracy and distance from that. My exact load escapes me, but I think I was around 25.0gr, plus or minus one or two tenths. (Check the load manuals, obv.) That load ran like gangbusters out of my 18" SPRish thing, and I never bothered trying to find another load for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

I’m interested in starting to reload .223/5.56

I’m interested in both cost-effectiveness and accuracy as I go forward. A projectile with good terminal effects would be an added bonus.
Longer, heavier projectiles from 69-77 (maybe heavier?) are my focus.

---

When purchasing in bulk, the Hornady 75 grain BTHP Match has historically been found at a slightly lower price than the Sierra MatchKing and the Hornady bullet can be hand-loaded to nearly the same level of precision/accuracy as the MatchKing.

The Nosler 77 grain OTM can at times be found at a lower price than the Sierra 77 grain MatchKing and the Nosler bullet has better terminal ballistic properties than the 77 grain MatchKing, though it's never been as accurate in my barrels as the MatchKing.




Reloading For The AR-15: Hornady 75 Grain BTHP


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ed-1378834.jpg




Hornady produces three different versions of their 75 grain open-tip-match bullet in 22 caliber (0.224”). For this article, we’ll be looking at the projectile that is colloquially referred to as the “T1”.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...03-1378838.jpg


The T1 is available as a reloading component, with a product number of #2279 for the 100 count boxes. It’s also available in 600 and 4000 count boxes.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...dy-1378836.jpg


I use the Hornady 75 grain BTHP bullet to load match-grade hand-loads for my semi-automatic AR-15s chambered in 5.56mm/223 Remington. According to Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets by Bryan Litz, the Hornady 75 grain BTHP has an average G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.356 and an average G7 ballistic coefficient of 0.183.

The lot of T1 projectiles used for this article have a nominal length of 0.988” and I load them to a nominal COAL of 2.245”. When fired from a Colt SOCOM barrel with a 5.56mm NATO chamber, this COAL will create a jump to the lands of 178 thousandths of an inch. When fired from a Larue Stealth barrel with a 223 Wylde chamber, this COAL will create a jump to the lands of 115 thousandths of an inch and when fired from a Krieger barrel with a 223 Remington chamber, this COAL will create a jump to the lands of 78 thousandths of an inch.

The jump to the lands figures stated above where obtained using a Sinclair bullet seating depth gauge and a Forster 223 Remington 1.4636” head-space gauge. These figures are contingent upon a variety of variables, such as the particular chamber reamer that was used for your barrel, the number of rounds that have been fired through your barrel when the measurement is obtained, the particular lot of bullets used and whether you use a virgin case, a fired case, a resized case or a head-space gauge to obtain this measurement.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ed-1378837.jpg



WARNING!
Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be used for the actual loading of ammunition by the reader. No warranty, guarantee or assurance that these loads are safe is stated, suggested or implied nor should any be inferred. Usage of this information for the actual loading of ammunition may result in malfunctions, damage and destruction of property and grave injury or death to beings human in nature or otherwise. Don't even view this information in the presence of children or small animals.



For this hand-load of the Hornady 75 grain BTHP bullet, I use virgin Lake City brass that has been weight-sorted, match-prepped and neck-sized. The cases are primed with Federal GM205M primers and charged with VihtaVuori N140 powder and as mentioned above, the T1 projectile is seated to a COAL of 2.245”. This process is conducted in a semi-progressive manner on a Dillon XL-650 press using a digital electronic powder dispenser and scale to dispense a powder charge of 24.1 grains of the VihtaVuori N140.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ed-1378839.jpg



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ed-1378940.jpg


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...2b-3083464.jpg



When chronographed from a 20” Colt A2 barrel, a 10-shot string of this hand-load fired over an Oehler 35P produced a muzzle velocity of 2638 FPS with a standard deviation of 4 FPS and a coefficient of variation of 0.15%. (The muzzle velocity was calculated from the instrumental velocity using Oehler Ballistic Explorer.) A 10-shot group fired from one of my Krieger barreled AR-15s, at distance of 100 yards using my bench-rest set-up, had an extreme spread of 0.526 MOA.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile..._1-1378995.jpg

No canines were harmed during the testing of this ammunition.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...02-1378967.jpg



….



Nosler 77 grain Custom Competition


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...01-2754471.jpg


Nosler introduced their 77 grain Custom Competition BTHP bullet as an obvious competitor to the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing. The shape and ballistic coefficient of the Nosler bullet is very similar to that of the Sierra MatchKing. The Nosler bullet does have one major difference from the Sierra MatchKing; it is constructed using the thinner J4 copper jacket.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...01-2754463.jpg


I recall an early Nosler advertisement for their Custom Competition bullet that included a phrase saying the bullet was “ideal for military and law enforcement,” hinting at the possibilities of improved fragmentation due to the thinner J4 jacket.

Thanks to the works of Dr. G.K. Roberts we know that the 77 grain Nosler bullet loaded to mil-spec velocities has superior terminal ballistic properties to that of the 77 grain Sierra MatchKing loaded in MK262. The terminal ballistic properties of the 77 grain Nosler bullet rival that of the Hornady 75 grain 5.56 TAP load. Unfortunately, there are no ammunition manufacturers that I’m aware of currently loading the 77 grain Nosler to mil-spec velocities.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ro-2754467.jpg


The Nosler 77 grain Custom Competion bullet is typically sold without a cannelure, however Nosler occasionally releases the bullet with a shallow cannelure similar to the one found on the 77 grain SMK loaded in MK262. The cannelured version of the 77 grain Nosler will be the focus of this report.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...02-2754445.jpg



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...01-2754485.jpg



For the first phase of testing, I hand-loaded the cannelured version of the 77 grain Nosler BTHP to a typical SAAMI velocity (approximately 2600 fps from a 20” Colt barrel) to establish an accuracy baseline. No case mouth crimp was applied at this phase.

As per my usual protocol, accuracy testing was conducted from a concrete benchrest at a distance of 100 yards. For this phase of testing I used one of my 1:7.7” twist Krieger barreled AR-15s . This barrel has produced sub ½ MOA 10-shot groups with my hand-load topped with the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing. The fore-end of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rode in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. A Leupold Competition Scope was used for testing. Wind conditions were monitored using a Wind Probe.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...p_-2925918.jpg

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...01-2754487.jpg



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ed-2754491.jpg


Three 10-shot groups were obtained which had extreme spreads of

0.797”
0.827”
0.812”

for a 10-shot group average of 0.812”. The three groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The composite group had a mean radius of 0.26”. This test shows that the Nosler bullet itself is capable of consistent sub-MOA accuracy at 100 yards when fired from a semi-automatic AR-15.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...ve-2754502.jpg



For the second phase of testing, I safely worked up a load for the 77 grain Nosler BTHP to a muzzle velocity of 2800 fps from a 20” barrel using a non-canister grade military powder which has a velocity-to-powder-charge ratio that is very close to that of the powder used in MK262. No case mouth crimp was used in this phase of testing either.

Since my Krieger barreled AR-15 has a 5.56mm Match chamber that is “a little too tight” for mil-spec pressure loads, I used my AR-15 with a 20” Noveske DCM barrel with a 1:7” twist for this phase of testing. This Noveske barrel has the “Noveske Match Mod 0 chamber which is designed to offer 100% reliability while retaining maximum possible accuracy. The chamber body is slightly larger than the 5.56mm NATO minimum, but within the 5.56 NATO tolerance. The throat is redesigned for proper bullet alignment with the axis of the bore. This chamber was developed to fire MK262 Mod 1 on AUTO in hot environments." This barrel has produced sub ¾ MOA groups with my 55 grain BlitzKing hand-load.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...26-2754515.jpg



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...03-2754454.jpg



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...02-2754453.jpg



Accuracy testing using the Noveske barreled AR-15 and the mil-spec velocity load of Nosler 77 grain was conducted in the same manner as described above in the first phase of testing. Three 10-shot groups were obtained from 100 yards. Those groups had extreme spreads of:

0.880”
0.857”
0.845”

for a 10-shot group average of 0.860”! These groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group which had a mean radius of 0.29”.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...fp-2754519.jpg



For the final phase of testing I added a taper crimp to the case mouth of the previously described load used in phase two. A 10-shot string of this load fired over the Oehler 35-P chronograph from my 20” Novekse barrel had a muzzle velocity of 2801 fps with a standard deviation of 12 fps.

Three 10-shot groups fired from 100 yards from the 20” Noveske DCM barrel had extreme spreads of:

1.033”
0.914”
1.241”

for a 10-shot group average of 1.063”. As before, the three groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius for the composite group was 0.31”.



https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...30-2754549.jpg




For comparison, Black Hills MK262 Mod 1 fired from my Lothar Walther barrel AR-15 had a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 1.098”. The mean radius for the 30-shot composite group of MK262 Mod 1 was 0.33”.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...02-1342450.jpg




https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile..._--2754563.jpg





https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...01-2754443.jpg






https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFile...05-1357735.jpg


…..

A goldmine of good information. Thanks!

FWIW I’ve been using the max load for 8208XBR and either the SMK or Nosler factory 2nds bullets over CCI#41 or S&B sr primers for years. I’ve forgotten the chrono data and the comeups are in my log book, but I can get good hits out past 600 yards with either bullet from my two 20” AR shaped rifles.

With 8208XBR being hard to source I’ve played with Hodgdon’s CFE Rifle and RMR’s 75gr match-ish bullet, they are useable at max loadings when lit by a magnum primer. But I still get the odd flyer that keeps me from being a glowing reviewer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rick R

FWIW I’ve been using the max load for 8208XBR and either the SMK or Nosler factory 2nds bullets over CCI#41 or S&B sr primers for years. I’ve forgotten the chrono data and the comeups are in my log book, but I can get good hits out past 600 yards with either bullet from my two 20” AR shaped rifles.

With 8208XBR being hard to source I’ve played with Hodgdon’s CFE Rifle and RMR’s 75gr match-ish bullet, they are useable at max loadings when lit by a magnum primer. But I still get the odd flyer that keeps me from being a glowing reviewer.

---

I have tried the 69 RMR 3GH but results have not been as consistent as a blem 77 SMK. One 5-shot group will be .5" and the next two will be 1.5 or 2". Still more consistent than a 55 FMJ, and they fly a lot better at longer ranges. Funny thing is, I bought some of their first run and blems, and I can't see the difference between them.

Thanks @Molon - that’s some really good gouge. I’ll keep an eye out for both of those projectiles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GyroF-16

I’m interested in starting to reload .223/5.56

I’ve got plenty of 55 gr factory ammo on hand, so I’m eyeing 77 gr for longer(-ish) range precision since decent 69-77 gr ammo is still pretty expensive. I figure I can reload for 60% of the commercial cost or less.

Right now I have a pound of Varget on hand, and 100 77gr Sierra Match King projectiles.
I’m interested in both cost-effectiveness and accuracy as I go forward. A projectile with good terminal effects would be an added bonus.
Longer, heavier projectiles from 69-77 (maybe heavier?) are my focus.

In my current level of ignorance, I’m considering buying more 77 gr SMK in bulk and either Varget or CFE 223 (CFE 223 seems to be about $40/lb around here, while Varget is over $50/lb).

But I don’t know what I don’t know.

Input is welcome.

---

This load has worked well for me in all my rifles in 5.56/223. 21.5 to 22 grains depending on lot of VV N135 with 77 smks loaded with CCI primers.