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Posted: 10/22/2016 11:47:07 PM EDT
I'm not new to reloading but over the years I've only loaded a few thousand standard 55gr FMJ's for AR's and some .308 for both a Remington 700P and a couple AR10's....not a ton of experience but I have the basics down.

I just got into SBR's within the last year and now have 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5 AR barrels to try to work up some loads for.  I just bought a couple thousand mixed lot 69-77gr Sierra Matchking bullets along with a couple thousand unbranded 62gr bonded soft points from RMR and I'm looking for opinions on powders that will push these bullets relatively fast.

With Black Hills factory 77gr Matchking (5.56), I'm getting 2414 fps in 10.5" and 2503 fps in a 12.5" barrel.

With Fusion MSR factory 62gr I'm getting 2515 fps in 10.5" and 2657 fps in 12.5" barrels.

Anyone have opinions on some good powders to try to approach these velocities in short barrels? I currently have H335, TAC, Varget, and H4895 on hand. I'm planning on buying a couple more powders to try and was thinking CFE223 and 8208XBR. Other suggestions?

I did a couple searches and didn't find much info!
Link Posted: 10/23/2016 12:08:46 AM EDT
[#1]
TAC, Varget and 8208XBR are my favorites for the heavy bullets.
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 12:04:14 AM EDT
[#2]
I prefer ball powders loading on my Dillon presses, so Tac, CFE, H335 and others will get top velocity and accuracy.  Stick powders meter with a bit more hassle,  Varget and Reloader 15 are great for heavy bullets.   BenchMark is also a fine choice for .223.  All that said, 75 gr Hornady BTHP and Tac is my got to load for heavies.
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 1:32:34 AM EDT
[#3]
I have switched to all 75-77gr bullets for 5.56

All loaded with cfe223.

Link Posted: 10/24/2016 1:12:46 PM EDT
[#4]
my mk262 clone with 23.2gr of 8208xbr in 1x LC09 brass, 2.245, nosler 77cc, wolf srm, light fcd crimp was 14 ft/sec faster than black hills 5.56 77gr smk out of my 14.5 and mine had zero signs of pressure where the bh was hot! my es/sd were also considerably lower. I almost matched bh's velocity with 80gr cc's seated 2.305" in stainless ASC mags with 23.5gr and still less pressure signs than the bh load and a awesome sd 6/ es 10.  it's my new toying around at 600yd load
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 3:03:55 PM EDT
[#5]
With the Fusion, it's a electroplated bullet; the plating tends to be thinner than a jacket and typically softer too.

It will be difficult to get as much velocity out of a true jacketed bullet.
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 5:54:02 PM EDT
[#6]
Hey Eagle,
        I can easily give you the benefit of having fired 1000-2000 rounds of handloads using MAX 5.56MM NATO pressure AA2520/TAC/H335/RL15/H4895/IMR 8208 XBR/Varget/N540 and probably a few other propellants under the 77GR. SMK & the 70GR. TSX bullets in 10.0"/10.3"/10.5" barrels. The same MAX 5.56MM NATO pressure loads that were fastest in the suppressed 18" Krieger/CLE barrel were fastest in the 10.0"/10.3"/10.5" barrels. Going into it on that basis should make load development easier. HTH



This is a thermal stability test I ran a few years back using an 18" barrel. You can get an idea of relative MV with the propellants used. The factory SWA 5.56MM load uses IMR 8208 XBR. Depending on which propellant you use, propellant temperature can yield a large difference in MV.


Link Posted: 10/24/2016 6:57:25 PM EDT
[#7]
I dont see any reason to work up loads specific to an SBR (unless you are talking subs for 300 BO which requires firearm specifics).

I work up my loads on a precision LR upper and sometimes test in other uppers.

Havent been dissatisfied yet.

Link Posted: 10/24/2016 8:02:04 PM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I dont see any reason to work up loads specific to an SBR (unless you are talking subs for 300 BO which requires firearm specifics).

I work up my loads on a precision LR upper and sometimes test in other uppers.

Havent been dissatisfied yet.

View Quote


I tend to agree with djryan13, it's not like a SBR is an accuracy tool. It's sole purpose in life is being as maneuverable and compact as physically possible. It's the ideal truck gun or interior home defense weapon.

I would be more interested in working up loads using Barnes solids or Hornady GMX bullets, but would probably stick with Hornady FMJ's.

Nothing can be done to overcome a short barrel as far as velocity is concerned. All the loads posted so far have been hot by my standards. I wouldn't worry about it.
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 9:58:12 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


I tend to agree with djryan13, it's not like a SBR is an accuracy tool. It's sole purpose in life is being as maneuverable and compact as physically possible. It's the ideal truck gun or interior home defense weapon.

I would be more interested in working up loads using Barnes solids or Hornady GMX bullets, but would probably stick with Hornady FMJ's.

Nothing can be done to overcome a short barrel as far as velocity is concerned. All the loads posted so far have been hot by my standards. I wouldn't worry about it.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I dont see any reason to work up loads specific to an SBR (unless you are talking subs for 300 BO which requires firearm specifics).

I work up my loads on a precision LR upper and sometimes test in other uppers.

Havent been dissatisfied yet.



I tend to agree with djryan13, it's not like a SBR is an accuracy tool. It's sole purpose in life is being as maneuverable and compact as physically possible. It's the ideal truck gun or interior home defense weapon.

I would be more interested in working up loads using Barnes solids or Hornady GMX bullets, but would probably stick with Hornady FMJ's.

Nothing can be done to overcome a short barrel as far as velocity is concerned. All the loads posted so far have been hot by my standards. I wouldn't worry about it.


Would you believe that a 10.5" SBR can be an effective weapon out to 300yds with the right bullet and velocity? My testing shows that Fusion MSR will reliably expand at 290yds out of my 10.5" Noveske. 77gr TMK will do so at 250yds and a slew of other rounds will do the same at varying distances from about 150-250yds.

For plinking, I agree that FMJ's are the ticket, but for real world use besides plinking (hunting, SD, pest control, truck gun, etc) you're looking at 25 yds MAX before you're drilling .224 sized holes in your target in that same 10.5" barrel.

I'm looking to optimize loads for short barrels with the bullets I got a good deal on...but I still appreciate your opinion!
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 9:59:04 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Hey Eagle,
        I can easily give you the benefit of having fired 1000-2000 rounds of handloads using MAX 5.56MM NATO pressure AA2520/TAC/H335/RL15/H4895/IMR 8208 XBR/Varget/N540 and probably a few other propellants under the 77GR. SMK & the 70GR. TSX bullets in 10.0"/10.3"/10.5" barrels. The same MAX 5.56MM NATO pressure loads that were fastest in the suppressed 18" Krieger/CLE barrel were fastest in the 10.0"/10.3"/10.5" barrels. Going into it on that basis should make load development easier. HTH

<a href="http://s9.photobucket.com/user/leid/media/shooting/9fdbb42f-452d-4464-ab85-3e4fc467cc4f_zpsf1fd4a35.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/leid/shooting/9fdbb42f-452d-4464-ab85-3e4fc467cc4f_zpsf1fd4a35.jpg</a>

This is a thermal stability test I ran a few years back using an 18" barrel. You can get an idea of relative MV with the propellants used. The factory SWA 5.56MM load uses IMR 8208 XBR. Depending on which propellant you use, propellant temperature can yield a large difference in MV.

<a href="http://s9.photobucket.com/user/leid/media/shooting/723170e2-8b76-47e1-ab77-ff44449f3efd_zps92066df3.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/leid/shooting/723170e2-8b76-47e1-ab77-ff44449f3efd_zps92066df3.jpg</a>
View Quote


Much appreciated! This gives me some good data points to start from.
Link Posted: 10/24/2016 10:00:17 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
With the Fusion, it's a electroplated bullet; the plating tends to be thinner than a jacket and typically softer too.

It will be difficult to get as much velocity out of a true jacketed bullet.
View Quote



Good observation, thanks! We'll see what I can push the 62gr bonded to.

Thanks to everyone else for an opinion too. I'm less busy with other things in the winter (after deer hunting) so I'll be making a concerted effort to reload and test, then reload some more this winter...I've already started sorting and cleaning several thousand once fired brass in anticipation. I can't wait to get started!
Link Posted: 10/25/2016 3:52:19 PM EDT
[#12]
im a fan of either xbr or 4064 for my 77gr smk
Link Posted: 10/25/2016 5:06:52 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
im a fan of either xbr or 4064 for my 77gr smk
View Quote


Interesting, I just looked and I have a pound of 4064 on hand too. I'll load some up and see how it does.
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