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Posted: 7/18/2018 11:39:41 PM EDT
I do 6.5 Grendel and 556, but I seem to be so much more accurate with my Grendel over 556. Don't know if it is weapon or ammo, but I am thinking of just selling my 556 upper and putting the money towards better glass for my Grendel and just focus on one or build a new 556 upper. I reload for both. It is like I don't have to even put forth effort with the Grendel.
Is it better to just concentrate on one caliber? It is all AR platforms. I have to Grendel and they shoot extremely well. Both are Odin Works builds I did, the 556 is a Larue Stealth 16" upper and tried 77 SMK, 75/69 HPBT with CFE22 and 68 HPBT Hornady factory loads. Maybe its just me, but the Grendel using Hornady 123 ELDs over CFE223 has been an awesome combo for me. Really just thinking I should sell the Stealth upper and put the money towards better glass. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/18/2018 11:49:32 PM EDT
[#1]
It probably took me about a year to build, reload for, and find accuracy nodes in 3 ARs. 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 CM, and an AR308. I went balls out on all of them as far as optics and parts go. They all shoot lights out. I took each one and focused on one at a time to squeeze every bit of accuracy out of them. And now 2 never see any action. It's nice to have different calibers, but it's also nice to just focus on one caliber and get proficient with it.
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Posted: 7/19/2018 12:07:36 AM EDT
[#2]
556 is my SHTF, blasting, plinking weapons. Grendel is my hunting and most likely precision. I am toying with an Odin Works 556 build since the Grendel with them has been so outstanding. Not sure if it is the bullet, powder loan, or the weapon. I am thinking for proficiency's sake, better glass for the Grendel and work on that, then build another 556 at another time.
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Posted: 7/19/2018 5:32:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: WSAR15]
[#3]
Asterix: Given the 6.5 Grendel excellent performance at 200/300yds (123Gr SST better than 308 125gr SST) - I have delayed my 308 build and focusing on the 6.5 Grendel for now.
Equipping myself for: 223, 6.5 Grendel, 300BLK, 308 maybe 458 Socom but may sell the upper. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 7:09:10 AM EDT
[#4]
22, 26 and 30
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NM, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 7:59:40 AM EDT
[#5]
.224, .243, .308, .51
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Posted: 7/19/2018 9:44:39 AM EDT
[#6]
With multiple calibers, did it take a long time to get the right load dialed in? Maybe I am not being patient enough on the 5.56 one? Any load suggestions to try? I was really hoping that 77 SMKs or Hornady 75 BTHP over 25.5 grains of CFE223 would do the trick.
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CO, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 9:55:41 AM EDT
[#7]
223 Ackley, 22 BR, 243 Comp Match, 6.5 BR, 6 Grendel, 260, 6.5 SAUM, 300 Whisper, 308, 338 Lapua, 50 BMG, 510 Whisper.
Of those above, the 223 Ackley, 6 Grendel and 260 are shot through gas guns. All the others are bolt guns. If you use good reloading components, most any caliber will shoot inside 1 MOA with most everything. Getting inside 1/2 MOA takes more work. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 10:22:16 AM EDT
[#8]
5.56/.223, .243, 6.5CM, 300BO, and .308. Honestly .308 gets the least attention now, as I'm finding the other options more fun and useful overall.
As to how many calibers and the time/money involved, that certainly depends on the individual's situation. Free time is often harder to come by than the money. I'm semi-retired so I have more time now. My tools and supplies are pretty much obtained and paid for at this point, so powder and bullets seem to be the main consumables ongoing. I can't see myself going to just one or two calibers. You can achieve a plateau in that situation that can tend toward getting you in a rut. Variation and trying something new can keep up your enthusiasm and challenge stepped up a notch. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 10:27:17 AM EDT
[Last Edit: popnfresh]
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ronnoc:
With multiple calibers, did it take a long time to get the right load dialed in? I develop my loads at the range so it is much simpler. I don't care if they are .9moa or .5moa, they are for long range use. This is the entire load work up for my 147eldm load in my Grendel. 25 shots total Work up to pressure, look for velocity plateau, pick a charge in the middle (temp dependant).  Attached FileGood enough for my Brownells barreled budget build.  Attached File Attached File140 hybrid done the same way, same powder, same primer, same brass, even happens to be the same charge. 20 shots under 1moa, good enough, if it was a $600 barrel I would want better.  Attached File90smk load from my18 " WC 5.56 SPR barrel. Developed the same way with the same powder, same primer.  Attached FileI could post a few .308 loads as well, developed the same way with the same powder (W748), it isn't the powder BTW it is the method in my opinion. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 10:33:53 AM EDT
[#10]
What is acceptable precision for you?
I can get my Larue stealth barrel to produce groups in the .6-.9 moa range for 5 shots w/ the 77’s and 73 eld-m’s. I have to load the 77’s a bit short to get decent results. Closer to mag length and it would have 1-2 fliers opening the group up to 1.5moa. Decent results, but my Rainier match and Ultramatch barrels have produced groups in the .2-.3’s when working up a load. I have 4 5.56/223 AR’s that I load for precision, a 6.5creed gasser, 6.5 grendel and the parts for a 224valkyrie. All are a bit different, but the stealth and 6.5 Grendel barrel provided the greatest headaches for load development. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 11:00:05 AM EDT
[Last Edit: drfroglegs]
[#11]
Every caliber I reload is for precision, even my mil surplus rifles that are half a century old.
So I guess the list is... 223, 300AAC, 308, 6.5CM, 7mm Mag, 243, 7.7 Jap, 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x39 and some 45ACP I reload for precision. I'm sure I forgot one or two. I'm an extremely ocd engineer/scientist so I take everything to the extreme when it comes to reloading. It's almost therapy for me. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 1:20:48 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SuperJlarge:
What is acceptable precision for you? |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 3:55:19 PM EDT
[#13]
What twist is the 556? You might have a slower twist and the 75+ weight bullets aren't working as well.
I load for .223, .243, 6 Creed, 6.5 Creed, 7mm RM, .308 and 300WM. It's not hard to find a good load but the problem is you get people that spend the whole barrel life trying to find "the load" with 90 different bullets and powder combos. Some advice? Find a good load with one or two bullets and then load and shoot the rifles. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 4:02:28 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ronnoc:
With multiple calibers, did it take a long time to get the right load dialed in? Maybe I am not being patient enough on the 5.56 one? Any load suggestions to try? I was really hoping that 77 SMKs or Hornady 75 BTHP over 25.5 grains of CFE223 would do the trick. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 4:23:31 PM EDT
[#15]
1 in 8 twist
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 4:47:37 PM EDT
[#16]
For me it's really just my rifle rounds. 5.56, 7.62, 7mm, and 243. I just got done building my 224 valkyrie and from everything I'm reading online, finding an accuracy load is going to be a headache. It may be 1 of those "single load" type thing. I dont "mind" it... as I do it for my 80 gr smk hi-power rifle... but I'll have to find a magazine length friendly load as well.
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Posted: 7/19/2018 4:52:46 PM EDT
[Last Edit: wildearp]
[#17]
5.56, .300AAC, and .308
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Posted: 7/19/2018 5:52:02 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ronnoc:
1 in 8 twist |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2018 9:23:56 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01: That should work fine for the 75 and 77. Try a different powder. The one mentioned above works well too. |
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Posted: 7/19/2018 10:38:36 PM EDT
[#20]
I might give the 8208XBR a try.
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/20/2018 5:50:03 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By GSPatton:
Try 23.2 of 8208XBR with one of those boolits. |
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Posted: 7/24/2018 7:57:44 PM EDT
[#22]
Three...
6.5mm Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel. .223 is just regular loading, same with pistol. Will start 458 socom soon when I finally order a barrel. |
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Posted: 7/24/2018 10:44:18 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ronnoc:
With multiple calibers, did it take a long time to get the right load dialed in? Maybe I am not being patient enough on the 5.56 one? Any load suggestions to try? I was really hoping that 77 SMKs or Hornady 75 BTHP over 25.5 grains of CFE223 would do the trick. With upper-end barrels, the guns just shoot out of the gate for me, but I also do a full accuracy build checklist on all my AR work now, which cuts groups as well. * Barrel quality * Build Approach * Fire control * Optic quality * Mount quality and installation * Ammunition concentricity and component consistency To me, it's usually futile trying to make the ammunition work in a barrel that simply will not consistently deliver. For .223/AR15, I don't really care as much, since I'm only trying to hit plates within reasonable distances with it at the most, and almost all my time with 5.56 is spent at CQM ranges now. Every time I go to load for .223, I look at all my 6.5mm projectiles and Grendel brass, and think what it looks and sounds like when I connect with the 2, so I never load for .223 anymore. |
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