Current budget "long range" ammo of choice

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Current budget "long range" ammo of choice

Posted: 6/9/2017 10:47:09 AM EDT

I have a loaner rifle that I'm letting multiple people use for DMR matches this summer. Matches go out to 700 yards so I need ammo capable of getting there, but don't feel like slaving over the reloading bench for it like I do my own loads.

I'm looking for factory ammo capable of it (69gr +) without costing too much. It doesn't have to be super accurate as they will be shooting in a class where 1.5 MOA is good enough. I remember Australian outback 69 grain used to be had for $10 a box, but don't think it's around for that price anymore. Anything similar? Price matters to me more than accuracy as long as it stabilizes at distance. A friend ran the rifle with geco 55 this past weekend and while very accurate at short range, they were not able to hold the targets at 600.

Barrel they will be shooting out of is a 1-7.7 krieger so it should stabilize anything that fits in a magazine.

Posted: 6/9/2017 11:59:30 AM EDT

[#1]

Prvi Partisan has 75gr HPBT for around 50cpr. Magtech CBC 77gr is around 60-70cpr.

Posted: 6/9/2017 12:05:05 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
Prvi Partisan has 75gr HPBT for around 50cpr. Magtech CBC 77gr is around 60-70cpr.

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I guess the cat's out of the bag on PPU 75gr OTM

Posted: 6/9/2017 12:45:59 PM EDT

[#3]

I'd see how Hornady Steel Match 75's do in your barrel. Sometimes they're a bit picky, but they can shoot superb if your rifle likes them. If so you're in luck because they're about 40cpr. For my rifles that don't prefer it, I use Black Hills Blue Box 77gr SMKs, which I usually get for about 65cpr if bought in bulk. If 65cpr is getting up there, and HSM 75's don't do well for you, the above PPU/PRVI is a good option for the price.

Posted: 6/9/2017 12:47:33 PM EDT

[#4]

Thanks, will give that a try.

This is a loaner rifle that I'm letting new shooters try matches on so my accuracy requirement is not terribly stringent. Even 2 MOA may be acceptable. I feel like a premium barrel like that should be able to shoot at least one of those into 2 MOA.

Posted: 6/9/2017 6:59:16 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Prvi Partisan has 75gr HPBT for around 50cpr. Magtech CBC 77gr is around 60-70cpr.

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These are very good choices. Came here to post the same thing.

edit: and IMI 77gr razorcore

Posted: 6/9/2017 7:25:41 PM EDT

[#6]

I do DM courses throughout the year and bring back-up rifles and ammo for shooters just in case.

I use the PPU 75gr BTHP MATCH as well.

Haven't shot it in years though because of another cartridge I use now.

Posted: 6/9/2017 8:32:36 PM EDT

[#7]

I would look for sales on CBC 77gr or Outback 69gr as well. The PPU is a good deal but way less accurate generally. I have seen the CBC and Outback for 55cpr.

If you plan on shooting LR on a budget definitely look at buying a press. I am popping nosler 77's on LC brass for 27cpr and get more precision than I can validate.

Posted: 6/9/2017 8:48:01 PM EDT

[#8]

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CBC556C

http://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/500-round-case-556mm-77-grain-smk-otm-lr-mod-1-razorcore-imi-ammo-made-israe-0

Posted: 6/9/2017 10:49:44 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I do DM courses throughout the year and bring back-up rifles and ammo for shooters just in case.

I use the PPU 75gr BTHP MATCH as well.

Haven't shot it in years though because of another cartridge I use now.

View Quote

Me too

Attached File

Posted: 6/10/2017 6:07:29 PM EDT

[#10]

Steel match 75s are a little slower, but they are cheap and accurate. I also like not feeling the need to chase brass.

Posted: 6/12/2017 11:51:58 PM EDT

[#11]

The 69g Outback ammo seems to have disappeared.

Posted: 6/13/2017 12:48:46 PM EDT

[#12]

The 223 Hornady Black 75gr BTHP at PSA is 13.99 a box, and it has excellent reviews overall. Around 3/4 moa out of my 20" Larue barrel. Consistent stuff.

Posted: 6/14/2017 8:59:32 AM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:
The 223 Hornady Black 75gr BTHP at PSA is 13.99 a box, and it has excellent reviews overall. Around 3/4 moa out of my 20" Larue barrel. Consistent stuff.

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With its Low BC I don't see it being better than a 62 grain fusion. Inside 200 yards it probably doesn't matter much, But 300+ the lack of BC will cause it to fail quickly IMO.

Posted: 6/14/2017 9:32:38 AM EDT

[#14]

I also suggest the Horn. Steel Match 75gr.

I had little trouble to hit a steel silhouette at 794yds.

525yds were easy hits.

IMHO, it is a overlooked ammo choice that people are missing out on.

I can still find it for about 40 cents a round.

And it doubles as a good SD round... given the 75gr Horn. bullet.

Not having to worry about finding all the spent cases was nice for a change !

Posted: 6/14/2017 10:02:39 AM EDT

[#15]

What's your average accuracy on the Steel Match?

Posted: 6/15/2017 9:22:54 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

With its Low BC I don't see it being better than a 62 grain fusion. Inside 200 yards it probably doesn't matter much, But 300+ the lack of BC will cause it to fail quickly IMO.

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.395 g1 is not bad at all for a .224 bullet. That's higher than the 77 SMK.

That's assuming the manufacturer listed BCs are accurate of course.

Posted: 6/15/2017 10:43:35 AM EDT

[#17]

IIRC the BC for the Hornady Black 75 interlock 5.56 bullet is .230 G1

Posted: 6/15/2017 10:57:11 AM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
What's your average accuracy on the Steel Match?

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I'm not who you asked, but I have been getting ~1 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards from a PSA Frnakenbuild. Off the shelf parts, Mil spec 8.5 lb trigger, shooting off a range bag with a cheap scope. I really don't care for optics on an AR, but age and injury have prompted the option of going that route.
I wasn't expecting much, but am very happy with the results.

Posted: 6/15/2017 11:16:33 AM EDT

[#19]

IMI 77gr

Posted: 6/16/2017 4:06:53 PM EDT

[#20]

Been shooting Black Hills reman 75gr OTM with great results for around $28-30/50rd box

Posted: 6/16/2017 4:21:18 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks, will give that a try.

This is a loaner rifle that I'm letting new shooters try matches on so my accuracy requirement is not terribly stringent. Even 2 MOA may be acceptable. I feel like a premium barrel like that should be able to shoot at least one of those into 2 MOA.

View Quote

I call the Prvi 75gr "80% Match" ammo. About 80 or 90% of the rounds will shoot under 1 MOA in a very pretty little cluster. The other one or two rounds will randomly open it up to 1.5 or 2.

Posted: 6/16/2017 11:33:36 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

With its Low BC I don't see it being better than a 62 grain fusion. Inside 200 yards it probably doesn't matter much, But 300+ the lack of BC will cause it to fail quickly IMO.

View Quote

75gr BTHP, G1 listed as .395. You might be mistaking the Gold Dot (.323) or that 75gr expanding round for short barrels. I'm referencing the BTHP.

Posted: 6/17/2017 1:06:45 AM EDT

[#23]

I use Prvi 75 grain .223 because I can get them locally for a decent price. I can get it to 1-2 MOA with my Colt 6920 barrel. I'm trying to avoid paying $1 per round. I do enough of that in the .300BLK world.

Posted: 6/17/2017 3:26:36 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

I call the Prvi 75gr "80% Match" ammo. About 80 or 90% of the rounds will shoot under 1 MOA in a very pretty little cluster. The other one or two rounds will randomly open it up to 1.5 or 2.

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Do we know what bullet that 75 grain is? Knowing ballistics on it is more important to me than its 100 yard accuracy.

Posted: 6/18/2017 8:32:19 AM EDT

[#25]

You can get some PMX Xtac match 77gr for $9.99/box from Primary Arms right now. People complain it's a little slow but it's been really accurate through my rifles. I'm sitting on 1700rds of ADI 69gr SMKs and when it's gone I'm switching to the PMC.

Posted: 6/18/2017 8:45:31 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

I call the Prvi 75gr "80% Match" ammo. About 80 or 90% of the rounds will shoot under 1 MOA in a very pretty little cluster. The other one or two rounds will randomly open it up to 1.5 or 2.

View Quote

This has been my experience as well. I've also noted a lot of variation in velocity from lot to lot. I have come to prefer IMI Razorcore, even if it is a bit more expensive. It shoots nearly as well as BH mk262 mod 1 out of my recce-ish rifle.

Posted: 6/18/2017 8:50:32 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
The 69g Outback ammo seems to have disappeared.

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It's completely gone.

Once it was discovered, it went quickly.

Posted: 6/18/2017 12:18:15 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's completely gone.

Once it was discovered, it went quickly.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The 69g Outback ammo seems to have disappeared.

It's completely gone.

Once it was discovered, it went quickly.

Excellent performance at a decent price. That stuff made me feel like a rock star at the range!

Posted: 6/18/2017 12:37:04 PM EDT

[#29]

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Quoted:

Excellent performance at a decent price. That stuff made me feel like a rock star at the range!

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same here!

Luckily I managed to snag 2 cases before it was all gone

Posted: 6/19/2017 9:31:45 PM EDT

[#30]

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Quoted:

Excellent performance at a decent price. That stuff made me feel like a rock star at the range!

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I bought some of it up and honestly wasn't terribly impressed. My barrels just didn't like it that much. That being said, its good enough for my purposes. Too bad its gone.

Posted: 6/19/2017 10:34:39 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

It's completely gone.

Once it was discovered, it went quickly.

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I wish I could find more of it, I'm down to 1700rds.I need to start shooting my cheap stuff again but I like seeing the tight groups the ADI gives me

.

Posted: 6/19/2017 10:41:18 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wish I could find more of it, I'm down to 1700rds.I need to start shooting my cheap stuff again but I like seeing the tight groups the ADI gives me

.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

It's completely gone.

Once it was discovered, it went quickly.

I wish I could find more of it, I'm down to 1700rds.I need to start shooting my cheap stuff again but I like seeing the tight groups the ADI gives me

.

I've got 4 of those 200rd cases and roughly 11-12 20rd boxes. It approximates 69gr FGMM performance at half the price.

As silly as it sounds I've stopped shooting it and now stick to fgmm. Makes no sense, but the side of me that knows it's gone for good won't let me shoot it up.

Posted: 6/20/2017 10:41:05 AM EDT

[#33]

I'd go with a 75-77gr load.

The wind will kill a 69 quick.

Posted: 6/21/2017 5:04:13 AM EDT

[#34]

75gr Gold Dot. Has amazing accuracy (around 1 MOA from chrome-lined barrels), and awesome terminal performance to go along with it.

Posted: 6/21/2017 10:08:27 AM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
75gr Gold Dot. Has amazing accuracy (around 1 MOA from chrome-lined barrels), and awesome terminal performance to go along with it.

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I don't think the 75gr Gold Dot will be a good choice for long range, since from the below videos shows the 75gr GD ice picking at 1870fps, which is about 300 yards from a 16" barrel.
The 64gr GD isn't that much better at low velocity either.

Gold Dot 64gr at 1930fps
Gold Dot 75gr at 1870fps

Posted: 6/21/2017 1:24:04 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

I don't think the 75gr Gold Dot will be a good choice for long range, since from the below videos shows the 75gr GD ice picking at 1870fps, which is about 300 yards from a 16" barrel.
The 64gr GD isn't that much better at low velocity either.

Gold Dot 64gr at 1930fps
Gold Dot 75gr at 1870fps

View Quote

I would agree. And the lack of ballistic (external) data relative to match bullets makes it a poor choice for competition. I don't care about terminal performance at all in this application.

Posted: 6/21/2017 1:28:43 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'd go with a 75-77gr load.

The wind will kill a 69 quick.

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I agree and I run 77s out of my gun. But this is for a loaner rifle. If the shooter cared that much about wind performance, they can buy their own rifle.

The really the point of this rifle is to let some people I know who are interested in long range shooting/competition to test the waters out a bit in a local match series. As long as I can get a load that doesn't totally die at distance like 55s did, that's good enough.

I have a match upcoming and will be bringing a new [to competition) shooter. He reloads so I'm making him do the brass prep and I will load them with 69smks that I no longer use.

Posted: 6/21/2017 2:25:15 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

I agree and I run 77s out of my gun. But this is for a loaner rifle. If the shooter cared that much about wind performance, they can buy their own rifle.

The really the point of this rifle is to let some people I know who are interested in long range shooting/competition to test the waters out a bit in a local match series. As long as I can get a load that doesn't totally die at distance like 55s did, that's good enough.

I have a match upcoming and will be bringing a new [to competition) shooter. He reloads so I'm making him do the brass prep and I will load them with 69smks that I no longer use.

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And that is how you truly teach someone. Like the old saying goes, if you teach a man to fish, he can be self sufficient. If you give a man a fish, he is a dependent!

Posted: 6/21/2017 6:09:48 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've got 4 of those 200rd cases and roughly 11-12 20rd boxes. It approximates 69gr FGMM performance at half the price.

As silly as it sounds I've stopped shooting it and now stick to fgmm. Makes no sense, but the side of me that knows it's gone for good won't let me shoot it up.

View Quote

If it helps... just keep telling yourself ... "It uses a temp. stable propellant ... "

Posted: 6/22/2017 1:05:40 PM EDT

[#40]

I don't know what it costs, but I got 400 rounds each in trade of the 68gr and 75gr factory remanufactured Black Hills 223 loads and they've both been very good. I will be looking to buy some when I run dry.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Current budget "long range" ammo of choice

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