I finally got myself a press:D
I picked up a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP and am still collecting the necessary parts/tools to get her up and running / waiting on a .223 shellplate:(
Please suggest a load for my first run:D
Id like my first loads to be something I can be proud of accuracy wise coming out of a Colt 6920. The range I shoot at is 50-200 yards.
What brass, primer, powder and bullet are recommended for best accuracy for the 6920?
Also, I have a hoard of brass Ive been collecting over the past couple years but Im not sure which brand best suits my needs. I have a mixture of brass:Mostly Federal, Hornady and Lake City. Do I use what I have, or get something better?
OK, so after the long read, Ive learned my Hornady brass is better than my Lake City and Federal brass (assuming the info was correct) I would still like a recommendation from someone with personal experience on what brass, primers, powder and bullets have performed accurately for them in a 6920. Thanks.
A vast majority of shooters use Lake City brass with some using Lapua (it really does last longer if you take care of it and it is rather consistent).
An accurate load used by many for high power and other longer range work is the 77 gr SMK over 23.5-24.1 gr of Reloader 15 seated to 2.250" with match primers.
It’s not being a 6920 that determines what loads to use --it’s the barrel. It has a 5.56 NATO chamber, 16" barrel, and a 1:7" twist. Published loads for that chambering and barrel will be just dandy.
24.5 grains of TAC and 55 grain FMJs shoots pretty well for a value load. I’d focus on function, safety, and consistency before getting into the weeds over accuracy…
Mixed brass is okay for blasting ammunition for drills etc., but if your pursuit is the absolute best accuracy, do yourself a favor and stick with one manufacturer’s brass for each lot of ammo. Do not add variables when reloading for accuracy.
As markm suggested, the 69 gr. Sierra Match King is an extremely accurate bullet. It is the single best bullet in my Winchester 70 varmint rifle with 24.5 grs. of Varget. That is not a max load, and I downloaded it to 2910 ft/sec. (26 inch barrel) for five round groups in the .3s and .4s.
The 60 gr. Hornady V-Max with 26 grs. Winchester 748 or the same weight of Varget works great in a Colt HBar Elite with 24 inch barrel. Velocity runs 3050 ft/sec. and piles them into .5 inch easily. Deduct about 30 ft/sec. per inch for less barrel length.
26.5 grs. Varget or Winchester 748 will work with most any 55 gr. bullet. You’ll have to experiment a little to find what your rifle likes best.
75gr Hornadys, 77gr Sierras or Noslers are great, but don’t always “sing” till they get past 100 yds.
My LMT loves 55gr Hornadys(seated to 2.20), which are the most accurate FMJ I’ve found. Loaded over AA2230 or Benchmark they are economical and accurate. Other powders I use and like are 335, IMR 4895, and Re-15(heavy bullets).
Sierra 52gr Matchkings are very accurate too, and no, they won’t blow up using a 1/7 barrel.
Remington 7 1/2 primers are my favorite, followed by Winchester. Fiocchi and CCI are fine too.
May I also recommend a Possom Hollow qwik trim if you don’t have an easy way to trim your brass.
Using LC brass, I can get 6 reloadings out of it. FC brass, once before the primer pocket gets sloppy.
Most guns like those bullets. They’re great bulk bullets with good accuracy for a 55 gr. But they shouldn’t be depth sensative.
May I also recommend a Possom Hollow qwik trim if you don’t have an easy way to trim your brass.
I have one of those, but it chatters the heck out of the case mouths unless you get just the right speed in a drill. For blasting ammo it’ll do, but you can get untrue cuts if you’re not careful since it indexes off the shoulder.
Using LC brass, I can get 6 reloadings out of it. FC brass, once before the primer pocket gets sloppy.
That sounds like the OLD FC. The current AE stuff has been great for me… one of my favorite brass flavors to find.
They’re not real hot. I need to invest in a chrony, but I’m using 25gr of benchmark, imr4895, and 24g of 2230. I did make some hot stuff experimenting with some M855 replicas. Maybe that’s what I’m thinking of.
I went looking for some 69gr SMK’s today. They were out so the heaviest bullet in that flavor was the 52gr HPBT SMK’s so I picked some up. Also got some H322. Still need primers and Ill order those online tonight. Getn closer
What is a good method for prepping once fired brass? I have a sonic cleaner but what needs to be done as far as trimming and what tools work well for that?
Thank you guys for all for the load recommendtions!
Thanks. Its been a helluva ride so far. Ive fried my brain from all the reading and researching. Even had dreams about reloading last night! I can easily see how this can be an enjoyable hobby all on its own.
[ol]
[li]Tumble for 2-3 hours in a tumbler with a mix of corn and walnut medium with a cap of cheap car wax and a used fabric softener sheet to absorb heavy metals and carbon.[/li][li]Size and deprime in a Redding Full Length sizing die. Small base dies are absolutely not necessary whatsoever.[/li][li]Trim to 1.750" in a hand trimmer (I use a hornady camlock but most work the same)[/li][li]Deburr and chamfer case mouth[/li][li]flash hole uniforming tool just to remove the burrs left by some company’s case forming process where the flash holes aren’t punched well[/li][li]rcbs small primer pocket swaging tool to remove crimp in a few turns[/li][li]20-30 min in the tumbler again[/li][li]priming and loading[/li][/ol]
Brass that has been processed before is sorted by firings and I can skip steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 afterwards. I use Hornady oneshot case lube spray.
I can easily see how this can be an enjoyable hobby all on its own.