11.5” 1-7 twist AR bullet recommendation.

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02-27-23, 00:15
Twilk73

11.5” 1-7 twist AR bullet recommendation.

Been using 62gr gold dot factory ammo. Recently started shooting out to 300 yards and I want to reach out to 500. I’ve run out of the gold dot and I quickly learned how inaccurate the green tips I have an abundance of are.

Honestly, this is my HD gun and I want to pick an hd round that I can shoot and learn on.

Anyway, I’ve been doing some internet searching and it seems for hd and for accuracy the 69gr and up seems to perform better out of sbr’s.

So for my next ammo purchase should I be bumping up from the 62gr to 69gr and up.
02-27-23, 00:48
gaijin

77 gr Sierra Match King have a good reputation for terminal performance and accuracy.
They’re not Barrier/Blind “bonded bullets” so not designed to defeat auto glass, drywall, etc. and still provide excellent wound abilities.
They have performed very well in soft tissue and in the accuracy department.
There are a number of U-tube vids showing performance in gel.
02-27-23, 07:15
Twilk73

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaijin

77 gr Sierra Match King have a good reputation for terminal performance and accuracy.
They’re not Barrier/Blind “bonded bullets” so not designed to defeat auto glass, drywall, etc. and still provide excellent wound abilities.
They have performed very well in soft tissue and in the accuracy department.
There are a number of U-tube vids showing performance in gel.

Seems bonded is the most confusing part for me. When looking all this up bonded seemed to be less accurate, because of the coating used around the bullet to either seal it or bond the metal I don’t recall exactly. But at 100 yards it was more than an inch moa.

Further more what your saying is 77 grain won’t be bonded and because of that it won’t do a good job at going threw auto glass?

What about bullet drop? I’ma newbie, will the heavier rounds have more drop. I know my holds out to 400 yards with the 62gr.

Sorry I am just trying to avoid buying lots of ammo for testing.
02-27-23, 07:36
MegademiC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilk73

Seems bonded is the most confusing part for me. When looking all this up bonded seemed to be less accurate, because of the coating used around the bullet to either seal it or bond the metal I don’t recall exactly. But at 100 yards it was more than an inch moa.

Further more what your saying is 77 grain won’t be bonded and because of that it won’t do a good job at going threw auto glass?

What about bullet drop? I’ma newbie, will the heavier rounds have more drop. I know my holds out to 400 yards with the 62gr.

Sorry I am just trying to avoid buying lots of ammo for testing.

Federal fusion/gold dot 62 is a good balance of performance and accuracy.

I run 69gr rmr handloads in my 11.5 and got to 500-550yds reliably. Past that it gets sketchy and inconsistent

In my experience, they high BC heavies dont make as much sense with short barrels since you dont get the velocity to take advantage of it.

69 gr you get a good balance. Use bonded 62s for sd/hd, and 69gr match for longer engagements.

Stick with cheap 55gr for practice where high precision isnt necessary.
02-27-23, 07:53
markm

Even 55gr FMJ will get to 500 yards. 69 or 77 are ideal. 77s are a little easier to make sing.
02-27-23, 08:08
Wake27

I took 56gr MEN out to 550 reliably with my 12.5 last month. Heavier stuff will work better, but it was doable. It was basically DOA at 600, bullet wasn’t flying at all predictably at that point.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
02-27-23, 08:23
Pappabear

As stated, 69/77grain bullets will do the trick. I don’t worry about having the perfect HD bullet. I feel like you shoot a guy with an AR and it’s going to leave a mark. So I want the most accurate bullet and the one I most often shoot. Your SMK’S will do the trick.

PB
02-27-23, 08:46
ST911

Stuff to think about.

Weight is just weight. It may make things harder or easier depending on other variables, but it's just one variable. Same for bullet construction. The 62 GDSP is bonded, and is often an MOA+/- load in precision barrels. 300-600yds is farther than most people shoot, but for distance isn't far. About any decent bullet and barrel combination will get you onto B/C or bigger steel at those distances.

Don't expect bullets of the same weight to fly the same. For the 62s you mention, the GDSP and green tip you mention are hundreds of fps apart and dope is different.

If the green tip you're talking about is the recent production Winchester 855 from LC that's in the big-box stores, that's actually better you think and 500yds isn't a problem.

You didn't mention what optic you're using. As you stretch out, seeing is important. If you're trying to reckon rounds onto steel plates with a 2-4MOA aimpoint, there's more stuff to talk about. Also curious what barrel you're using beyond length.

Finding a load that's a good combo of inside close and outside -> 500 shouldn't be too hard.
02-27-23, 09:19
markm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST911

If the green tip you're talking about is the recent production Winchester 855 from LC that's in the big-box stores, that's actually better you think and 500yds isn't a problem.

That stuff shot REALLY well for me. If it didn't have the big-box retail price, I'd buy a bunch of it for stash.
02-27-23, 09:40
Twilk73

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST911

Stuff to think about.

Weight is just weight. It may make things harder or easier depending on other variables, but it's just one variable. Same for bullet construction. The 62 GDSP is bonded, and is often an MOA+/- load in precision barrels. 300-600yds is farther than most people shoot, but for distance isn't far. About any decent bullet and barrel combination will get you onto B/C or bigger steel at those distances.

Don't expect bullets of the same weight to fly the same. For the 62s you mention, the GDSP and green tip you mention are hundreds of fps apart and dope is different.

If the green tip you're talking about is the recent production Winchester 855 from LC that's in the big-box stores, that's actually better you think and 500yds isn't a problem.

You didn't mention what optic you're using. As you stretch out, seeing is important. If you're trying to reckon rounds onto steel plates with a 2-4MOA aimpoint, there's more stuff to talk about. Also curious what barrel you're using beyond length.

Finding a load that's a good combo of inside close and outside -> 500 shouldn't be too hard.

First thanks all of you for the wealth of info.

Second the barrel is a noveske 12.5” cut down by adco to an 11.7”. And the optic is a Nightforce nx8 1-8, older reticle. Using hold over’s avoids that big dot being in the way at 300 yards.

Shooting an idpa target at 300 yards with 62gr gold dot, my hold was 2 mills on target, A zone hits. Again I’ma newb so if this sounds wrong it probably is but this is what I got.

I don’t shoot rifle much but I do shoot pistols well. I shoot IDPA and USPSA, so my trigger finger knowledge is pretty good.
02-27-23, 10:18
markm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilk73

Shooting an idpa target at 300 yards with 62gr gold dot, my hold was 2 mills on target, A zone hits. Again I’ma newb so if this sounds wrong it probably is but this is what I got.

Gold dots are not made for flight, so that 2 mils sounds about right from a shorty. The flattest shooting load known to man (in 5.56) is the 69gr TMK in 5.56 from Black Hills if that interests you.
02-27-23, 10:31
1168

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilk73

First thanks all of you for the wealth of info.

Second the barrel is a noveske 12.5” cut down by adco to an 11.7”. And the optic is a Nightforce nx8 1-8, older reticle. Using hold over’s avoids that big dot being in the way at 300 yards.

Shooting an idpa target at 300 yards with 62gr gold dot, my hold was 2 mills on target, A zone hits. Again I’ma newb so if this sounds wrong it probably is but this is what I got.

I don’t shoot rifle much but I do shoot pistols well. I shoot IDPA and USPSA, so my trigger finger knowledge is pretty good.

Consistent A-zones at 300 with factory Gold Dots is not anything to be embarrassed of.
02-27-23, 11:38
ST911

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilk73

First thanks all of you for the wealth of info.
Second the barrel is a noveske 12.5” cut down by adco to an 11.7”. And the optic is a Nightforce nx8 1-8, older reticle. Using hold over’s avoids that big dot being in the way at 300 yards.
Shooting an idpa target at 300 yards with 62gr gold dot, my hold was 2 mills on target, A zone hits. Again I’ma newb so if this sounds wrong it probably is but this is what I got.
I don’t shoot rifle much but I do shoot pistols well. I shoot IDPA and USPSA, so my trigger finger knowledge is pretty good.

Ok, barrel and optic are GTG. Your dope sounds about right for the speed of that bullet from a shorty, velocity is probably ~2450. Your shooting is GTG.

Now it's just a matter of picking a load for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

The flattest shooting load known to man (in 5.56) is the 69gr TMK in 5.56 from Black Hills if that interests you.

Yeah, that 5.56 69 SMK and TMK has some magic in it.
03-01-23, 08:04
MegademiC

Thats a good setup. My 11.5 is a cl barrel with a 1-4.
I also just checked, I was shooting fed fusion, I'll have to try the 69 handloads at 600. I believe they are between 223 and 556 pressures as Im getting 2800 fps from a 16"

Ill chrono and see how far I can push them from the 11.5"
03-05-23, 12:19
MegademiC

Update: I only had access to 300 yesterday.
1.2 mil at 300yds. 69gr@2600 from my 11.5" w/socom556mini.
05-31-23, 14:19
MarshallDodge

I have found the 75 Gold Dot to be an excellent bullet. The BC isn't as good as a 77 TMK/SMK/NCC, although Speer shows it as .400, but they shoot sub MOA from my 16" AR and Tikka.
06-10-23, 11:44
bfoosh006

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

That stuff shot REALLY well for me. If it didn't have the big-box retail price, I'd buy a bunch of it for stash.

Sorry ahead of time for the thread drift...

How good ? I realize it isn't match ammo, but I usually got 5-6MOA, while other brands were easily 2.5-3MOA.

Do you remember which specific one ?

I have always had dismal results from Winchester bulk 5.56 62gr and 55gr ... has that changed ?

I have always wanted Winc. bulk'ish to shoot decent, but it just never has for me over the decades.
06-10-23, 13:14
Disciple

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST911

If the green tip you're talking about is the recent production Winchester 855 from LC that's in the big-box stores, that's actually better you think and 500yds isn't a problem.

WM855K?
06-10-23, 20:41
ST911

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfoosh006

Sorry ahead of time for the thread drift... How good ? I realize it isn't match ammo, but I usually got 5-6MOA, while other brands were easily 2.5-3MOA. Do you remember which specific one ? I have always had dismal results from Winchester bulk 5.56 62gr and 55gr ... has that changed ? I have always wanted Winc. bulk'ish to shoot decent, but it just never has for me over the decades.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple

WM855K?

That one, but no difference between the 20/150/200 packs. Recent data: 10rd/100yds, GTG Geissele barrel, 9rds ~2" with the tenth an obvious called flier. Runs about 3050fps with SDs in the teens. This is recent production out of LC. I've shot this in GI and precision barrels, it flies atypically well.