I have just aquired my 2nd AR (RRA 20"Varmint w/Leupy VXIII6.5x20x40LR) and it has a 1:8 bull barrel.  I have not yet shot it and would like to glean some real world info on what size bullets and /or loadings seem to do best for accuracy in this configuration before I spend a lot of cash on a lot of different loads.  I need a starting point.

I have read and understand "The Oracle" but as we all know, different rifles, no matter how similar, sometimes prefer different loads.

My intent is to use this rifle for long range 250yds+.

Any experience that can be shared would be appreciated.

For the range you stated (250+ yards), I would go with heavier bulets like the 75 Amax or the 77 Sierra. If you're shooting game and not targets, the lighter varmint loads will still be plenty accurate, although more wind sensetive.

Federal GM 77grn. SMKs or Black Hills 77grn. SMKs one of the two or both will probably shoot best...., until ya break out that Dillon reloader.

Mike

I have the same barrel.  Here is what it shoots best... all sub MOA.  The 77 is the best, the rest are all close.

BH 77gr SMK
BH 69gr SMK
BH 68gr
BH 52gr
Winchester white box 45gr varmint round.  (surprisingly well)


For long distance.... you are gonna want to do the 68gr+.  And like I said, my experience, and most I have read, favor the 77gr SMK's.

I just finished a 20" inch HBAR stainless build with Predator free float. I tried several different types of factory ammo, including the 75gr and 68gr Black Hills match, 60gr Vmax/BlackHills and Winchester 55gr and 52gr. The best groups were with the 60gr Vmax/BlackHills load. and I have purchased some Vmax bulllets to begin further load development. Remarkably, the second best was the 52gr. The remaining loads grouped about the same, around 1 MOA.

As usual, YMMV. Good luck.

Thanks to all who responded.   Ive got Black Hills 50vmax, 52HP, 55SP, and 68HP.  I'll run her tomorrow and see how she digests these.  I had a feeling that the 75 and 77 would be best, so I'll have to grab a box of each to try and post results when I can.

Thanks again.

The Hornady 75gr (loaded in BH 75) has a higher BC than the 77gr SMK.

I have the same scope and rifle but mine is 24" I assume you are looking for factory data.
Fed white box 50 grain flat base .75'
HSM 69 g commerical handloads .75"
Fed 69 grain Match .98"
Hornady 75 grain TAP 1.09"
X193 1.37"
3131a 1.43"
S&B 62 grain 2.09"
S&B 55 g 2.3"
Wolf 55g 2.62"
Win Sup 64 grain 3.38"
These are honest results and the above is the average of five, five shot groups.

Accurate Hand loads are easy to find ranging between .45" and .7" for bullets between 45g and 75g.

Just got back from the range with some interesting results.  Shot two, four-shot groups for each of the listed ammo.  All were Black Hills blue box.

68MHP      1.2" groups
55SP          1.0" groups
52HP          .7"  groups
50VMAX    .5" groups

I find it interesting that the lighter the bullet, the tighter the groups get.  All from a barrell that is supposed to like the heavier stuff.  I do understand, however, that these were shot at 100yds and longer ranges could skew these results.

All for your information.his