69 gr vs 77 gr

azairman86 · #1 03-18-12, 22:06

I am new to the reloading world and wanted some advice about what bullet to use. I have a Spikes Tactical AR 15 with a 16in barrel and a 1:7 twist rate. I'm leaning toward the Sierra Matchking bullets but can't figure out if the 69 grain or the 77 grain would be best for me. I'm leaning towards the 69 grain since I only shoot out to 200 yards, 300 yards on occasion. My only reservation with the 77 grain is getting them the right size to fit in my magazines. Is this a legit worry? Thanks for the help.

Damascus · #2 03-20-12, 14:02

Both bullets should perform great for you... However keep in mind that the 77's are quite a bit more expensive, and you will get less per box.
I personally prefer the 69's, since I can afford to shoot more, and they work fine for my on anything up to 500 yards.
Most people are reporting that the 77's shoot better when ranges go past 200 yards, especially in wind, but both bullets will serve you.

Also, don't overlook Hornady! Their 68gr. BTHP Match rounds are longer than the 69gr. Sierra's, so they have a higher B.C., and cost quite a bit less to boot.

You shouldn't have any problem working up 75/77gr. loads to fit the 2.260" SAAMI spec'd length for the .223 Rem. Anything heavier though, and it will not fit in the mag easily, and you will need to single-load each round.

azairman86 · #3 03-22-12, 06:34

Ok, that's what I was leading toward. Thanks for the input. It really helped out.

Alaskapopo · #4 03-24-12, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damascus

Both bullets should perform great for you... However keep in mind that the 77's are quite a bit more expensive, and you will get less per box.
I personally prefer the 69's, since I can afford to shoot more, and they work fine for my on anything up to 500 yards.
Most people are reporting that the 77's shoot better when ranges go past 200 yards, especially in wind, but both bullets will serve you.

Also, don't overlook Hornady! Their 68gr. BTHP Match rounds are longer than the 69gr. Sierra's, so they have a higher B.C., and cost quite a bit less to boot.

You shouldn't have any problem working up 75/77gr. loads to fit the 2.260" SAAMI spec'd length for the .223 Rem. Anything heavier though, and it will not fit in the mag easily, and you will need to single-load each round.

I can get 77 grai Sierra's for $118.99 per box of 500 and 69 grain Sierra's for 99.99. That is more money but not significantly.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/148...oint-boat-tail

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/148...oint-boat-tail

I use 77 grain bullets because they shoot better in my guns.

I have started using Nosler because they are even more affordable.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175...oint-boat-tail
165.99 a thousand for the 77 grain Noslers and 164.99 for the 69 grain Nolsers.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175...oint-boat-tail

Nightvisionary · #5 03-24-12, 19:15

I have used Hornady 68 and 75's, Sierra 69 and 77's, and Nosler 77's through my Spikes carbine.

Accuracy with the Hornady 68's were ok but the 75's were abysmal. Both SMK's shoot great but are too expensive. The Noslers work very well for me and are quite a bit cheaper than Sierra. I shopped around and got 1000 Nosler 77's for $147.99 shipped last November.

GunTotinRedneck · #6 03-25-12, 18:33

My Daniel Defense M4 with the 1/7 twist likes the 77gr. stuff a lot. Not a whole lot of a difference but I prefer the heaviest bullets you can find.

Damascus · #7 03-29-12, 16:24

I've never looked online to see how much cheaper the 69 SMK's are than the 77's, I'm only going by my local gunshop (I try to buy components there just to help out, when I can), which charges $18/50ct. 77's and $25/100ct. 69's.

Has anyone out there tried out the 69 or 77 grain Lapua Scenars? Or perhaps the Berger VLD line of .224" bullets? I've put everything out there through my rifles, except for those two...

Alaskapopo · #8 03-29-12, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damascus

I've never looked online to see how much cheaper the 69 SMK's are than the 77's, I'm only going by my local gunshop (I try to buy components there just to help out, when I can), which charges $18/50ct. 77's and $25/100ct. 69's.

Has anyone out there tried out the 69 or 77 grain Lapua Scenars? Or perhaps the Berger VLD line of .224" bullets? I've put everything out there through my rifles, except for those two...

I have tried 77 grain Lapua Scenar and I am using them for long range stages on serious matches. They are very expensive. I get slightly better accuracy out of them and better long range performance due to the higher BC. I don't buy bullets local because the prices are too high.
Pat

Damascus · #9 04-27-12, 13:15

I just ordered a box of 69gr. Scenars, I'll post how they do as soon as I get some loaded.
Here's the accuracy of rounds I routinely use in my rifle. Results may vary.
Average of three 5 shot groups at 100 yards using the optimum powder/handload that I have found :

Hornady 60gr. V-Max - 0.70" (25gr. TAC)
Nosler 60gr. Partition - 1.15" (25.75gr. RL15)
Wincester 64gr. PowerPoint - 1.47" (24.5gr. Varget)
Hornady 68gr. Match HPBT - 0.62" (25.25gr. RL15)
Sierra 69gr. Matchking - 0.67" (25.0gr. N140)
Nosler 69gr. HPBT - 0.8" (25.5gr. RL15)
Hornady 75gr. Match - 0.8" (24.25gr. N140)
Sierra 77gr. Matchking - 0.78" (24.0gr. RL15)
Nosler 77gr. Match - 0.93" (24.0gr. RL15)

I think Alliant's Reloder 15 is a great powder for .223 loads using 60gr. or heavier bullets - I think RL15 is often overlooked by many handloaders... A lot of my most accurate loads in .223 and in .308 Win use this powder.
All my AR15 loads use CCI Small Rifle Magnum primers and standard Win or RP commercial cases. All my loads are set at 2.265", which may be too long to fit in some magazines, but work fine in my older Pmags.
*these loads are what I use in my AR15, use these charges at your own risk! Advise that all loads be reduced a full 1.25gr. then work up*.