Expected Accuracy Of Reloads in Varminter

[scalce]

I built a varmint rig and have been reloading 55 FMJ BT bulk Hornady bullets on my Dillon 650.

I have sorted the cases by make but not weighed them.

What kind of accuracy should I expect from reloading this way?

I seem to be shooting only about 2 moa at 100 yards with my rifle.

Am I expecting too much from an AR with ammo loaded on a progressice press?

[spamlovr]

Originally Posted by scalce

I built a varmint rig and have been reloading 55 FMJ BT bulk Hornady bullets on my Dillon 650.

I have sorted the cases by make but not weighed them.

What kind of accuracy should I expect from reloading this way?

Every rifle will be a little different. You need to experiment with differetn powder charges until you find what your rifle likes.

I seem to be shooting only about 2 moa at 100 yards with my rifle.

Am I expecting too much from an AR with ammo loaded on a progressice press?

I have never used a progressive press, but I would imagine that as long as it is set up and adjusted properly, you should get good ammo from it. For shooting varmints, you need minute of varmint accuracy, and 2 MOA isn't gonna cut it unless you like making noise and not hitting critters.

How accurate is the rifle with premium facory loaded ammo? You want that to be the accuracy you can expect, if not better once you tune the load to the rifle.

You might want to have a look here for some more help:
AR15.COM

[ichy_trigger]

First off, get some premium factory ammo and set out to shoot a few serious groups and then you can base the rifles accuract off of that.

It depends on the twist rate of your barrel as to what weight bullet its going to favor in accuracy but 55 grains should be pretty middle ground for just about all twists. If your looking for the most from your rifle, your going to want to try different weights, different designs (boat tail versus flat base) Try some different brands, etc...

An AR thats built as a varmint rig should be able to hold 1 MOA or less easily. If it doesnt, your going to have to see whats going on.

Also check different powders as well, if you ask around, folks will be glad to let you know whats they have found that works best in their .223.

The basics to rifle accuracy though is consistency. All brass from the same manufacture at the very least and weigh each individual charge for the most in accuracy.

Ive been loading for 15 years now and I have yet to reload a single rifle round on my Dillon. For my varmint loads, its single stage all the way but no matter what you should get less than 2 MOA.

[scalce]

Any single stage presses that you recommend?

I am going to start loading for a 308 bolt action so I can use it for that as well.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by scalce

Any single stage presses that you recommend?

I am going to start loading for a 308 bolt action so I can use it for that as well.

Any of the major manufactures would work fine. ve been using a Lee single stage and get 1/4 MOA loads from it.

[trik396]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

Any of the major manufactures would work fine. ve been using a Lee single stage and get 1/4 MOA loads from it.

Ditto... but single stage is TIME consuuuuuuummmmmmmiiiiiiinnnnnnnng.

But that is what it takes for the "N"th degree of accuracy. As long as the shooter does his/her part.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by trik396

Ditto... but single stage is TIME consuuuuuuummmmmmmiiiiiiinnnnnnnng.

But that is what it takes for the "N"th degree of accuracy. As long as the shooter does his/her part.

Thats why I use a Dillon for pistol and single stage for rifle. I thought about progessive for rifle but I dont want to chance the accuracy, plus I tend to push my rifle loads almost to max and I want to weigh EVERY charge.

If I was shooting 3 gun, I would reload on the Dillon but for critters at 300-500 yards, no thanks.

[RobFMJ]

Originally Posted by scalce

Any single stage presses that you recommend?

I am going to start loading for a 308 bolt action so I can use it for that as well.

I'll throw in a vote for the RCBS Rock Chucker press... the thing's built like a tank...

Find a bullet your rifle likes and go from there. Try some different powders (IMR 4895 works like a charm for the 50-55 gr. bullet weight range for me).