Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/27/2014 4:33:35 PM EDT
I am reading a lot on reloading for our AR15's. They are Sig M400's with 1:7 twist. All shooting is target. From my readings, looks like the Sierra Matchking 69gr or 77gr are the go to bullets for accuracy. Will be using one of the following powders, Reloder 15, Varget or TAC. The question is should I stay with a standard bullet or go with the cannelured? Could someone explain when one would use standard and when to use cannelure? Hopefully, explain in layman terms. As I said, I am learning as I go. I have a friend who is very well versed in reloading, just not with the .223 round. Any help would be appreciated. 
|
|
Quoted:
I am reading a lot on reloading for our AR15's. They are Sig M400's with 1:7 twist. All shooting is target. From my readings, looks like the Sierra Matchking 69gr or 77gr are the go to bullets for accuracy. Will be using one of the following powders, Reloder 15, Varget or TAC. The question is should I stay with a standard bullet or go with the cannelured? Could someone explain when one would use standard and when to use cannelure? Hopefully, explain in layman terms. As I said, I am learning as I go. I have a friend who is very well versed in reloading, just not with the .223 round. Any help would be appreciated. Sierra is all hollow point boat tail w/o cannelure. Stick with the non-cannelured bullets. Cannelured are generally fmj. Moreover, non-cannelured bullets are better for adjusting the seating depth. |
|
A bullet with a cannelure is made so the end of the case can be roll crimped into the cannelure. This is done on Mil bullets for the greatest loaded round strength. Prevents bullet setback. If you want accuracy before mil strength requirements, then use smooth bullets and case neck tension to hold the bullet in the case. We don't crimp precession loads for an AR, we use neck tension for the best accuracy. Which is why the bullets you mentioned are smooth sided. Sierra is giving us what we want. Proper neck tension is obtained by using a sizing ball .002 to .003 smaller than the bullet diameter. So a 22 caliber bullet for a 223 round uses a .224 diameter bullet. Sizing ball should be .221 to .222. Most dies come set up this way, but it's something a careful reloader will check. |
|
The cannalure serves a few purposed..
#1 as a place to roll crimp the case mouth into the bullet as previously stated to avoid set back. Like in tube fed magazine lever guns, revolvers, military ammo. #2 as means to lock the core and bullet jacket #3 as possible contribution to helping a bullet fragment Sierra and Nosler both offer a cannalured version of their 22 cal 77gr OTM's. Mainly for making the clone M262. Nosler actually supplied the first bullets for run of M262 because Sierra would not cannalure the bullets. Neck tension is also a function of work hardening of the brass from repeated sizing operations. So, being aware of neck tension when seating bullets... |
|
Quoted:
The cannalure serves a few purposed.. #1 as a place to roll crimp the case mouth into the bullet as previously stated to avoid set back. Like in tube fed magazine lever guns, revolvers, military ammo. #2 as means to lock the core and bullet jacket #3 as possible contribution to helping a bullet fragment Sierra and Nosler both offer a cannalured version of their 22 cal 77gr OTM's. Mainly for making the clone M262. This is the most succinct response. Even if a bullet has a cannalure I generally don't crimp in it for rifle. It's only really necessary for some heavier revolver loads. |
|
Quoted:
All shooting is target. From my readings, looks like the Sierra Matchking 69gr or 77gr are the go to bullets for accuracy. For best accuracy, the Sierra 52 gr MatchKing is very hard to beat. If you're shooting at 100 yards, you will be amazed how easy it is to get clover leaf groups with that bullet. Even at 200 yards, they are superbly accurate. Beyond there, the heavier bullets, with their better wind bucking ability (higher BC) , start to provide better groups. There are other bullets, too, by makers like Berger, that tend to be flat based which provide superior accuracy at the shorter distances. I picked the 52 SMK from one personal experience. |
|
Thanks to all that replied. Very good info and understandable. Will be reading, and most importantly, asking questions, as I move forward in the reloading hobby.
For best accuracy, it seems best to stay with the same brand brass. A friend and I split an order of PMC X-Tac 62gr. Would this brass be fine for reloading? Many suggest one particular brass over another. Never hear anything about the PMC stuff. Lots of good reviews for a factory load. Thanks again! 
|
|
Don't discount the 69 and 77 grain Nosler bullets, they are accurate and slightly lower cost than the Sierra's.
Also, avoid this trap; Hornady makes two 75 grain bullets, their 75 grain HPBT and the 75 grain AMAX. Both great bullets. BUT - the 75 grain AMAX bullet cannot be loaded to magazine length for shooting in an AR. If a person wants to single load this one, then it's a good choice. There are some people around that do seat the bullet to 2.25 to 2.26 inches COAL, but the result is a gap between the bullet's ogive and the case mouth. It's hard to understand whether they feed worth a hoot; I'm skeptical. Anyway, don't do that, especially as a new reloader. You might want to try the 52 and 53 grain MK's, and Hornady's 55 grain FMJ bullet. The Hornady bullet is a great accuracy to cost value. I'm not a huge fan of buying once fired cases, partly because it adds a headstamp to the mix that I don't want to segregate. I buy Winchester cases when available because the shoulders are harder than Remington, but I shoot a couple of cartridges for which Remington is the only current supplier of brass. I treat WCC cases and Lapua cases the same as Winchester. |
|
Quoted: Thanks to all that replied. Very good info and understandable. Will be reading, and most importantly, asking questions, as I move forward in the reloading hobby. For best accuracy, it seems best to stay with the same brand brass. A friend and I split an order of PMC X-Tac 62gr. Would this brass be fine for reloading? Many suggest one particular brass over another. Never hear anything about the PMC stuff. Lots of good reviews for a factory load. Thanks again! PMC is good brass for reloading. |
| Weather a rifle bullet has a canalure or not has never been a concern to me except for a tube fed 30-30 of course. If you don't intend to crimp it should not concern you either. There really is no set rule that says one is more accurate than the other. Even if there was your rifle may not agree. |
Armory Sponsor