vujade

  I'm using the eotech 522a65. 

I just picked up a bottle of Lee Alox.   Going to make some loads tonight!  and science experiment this weekend.     I've only slugged a bore once.  It scared me as I hammered that screwdriver (I wrapped it just in case) through the bore to push the bullet.  I'm curious and want too; just don't know if I can bear it again.

I had to google "1/3 co witness" and now I get it.    Right now, it's set up for 'absolute co-witness'  I like the idea of it being 2 separate aiming points.    Do you get an attachment to the rail/eotech to 'raise it up'?

  Ok. I'm going to stop complaining about not being able to see anything.  Points for you - 600 yards with iron sights!  wow!

Thank you!  I'll try those bullets this weekend.  I get a little leading a few mm from from the start, the middle and end (muzzle) are clean.   I'll report back.  I won't change any powder weights nor re do load development; I'll use what I've been using then.   I'll also get the Lee Alox stuff; I think I saw that at a LGS recently.  Just squirt in a little bin and tumble a bunch of bullets (and then dry of course) I assume?

Hello.   I have been using Missouri Bullet Company's 45 ACP lead bullets - "IDP #1 "Major Power Factor".  It has a BRN of 18. I've been using 3.9 or 4.3 grains of bullseye powder, and they work well.   I just received a box where I ordered more.  I ordered a different kind I guess by accident.  These are called "Bullseye #1 For Target Velocities".  It has a BRN of 12.   It's the same weight (200 grains) and type (Semi Wadcutter).   I know I'll find out when I load some and test but for those who have experience here, will there be a difference?  Do I need to start a load development process again?    I'm just hitting paper so I assume the less hard bullseye bullets should be fine.  What is "Major power factor"? does that mean the BRN 18 are for bullets you want more powder/powder?  (you can load them hotter than the softer rounds)?  

Thank you for the comments guys.    I have an Eotech on an AR. It's got the 65 MOA big circle with a very nice 1 MOA center dot.  I think it'll be great for close in work but I LOVE shooting far and shooting tiny groups.  I may be trying to force this rifle into a role it is not (another reason to buy an AR with a floating bull barrel and magnification optics?!?).   Until then... if this is what I have (and I don't want to take the boltie out), would you say I'll get tighter groups with just irons then (that sounds right according to Jonnin;thank you for the reply).  I imagine, you can better estimate where that tiny target is in the middle of the front sight post in the middle of the tiny rear aperture vs. a red dot essentially covering the target.   I'll think about that flip up magnifer.  I have a back up rear/fold-down sight - I kind off want to keep it and as much as possible, keep the rifle somewhat light.  (i took off some of the tacti-stuff like flashlight/forward grip already).   I guess the best way is to test it. I have another post in the reloading/ammo section.  Once I build up the load, I'll do some accuracy testing with irons vs red dot) and then report back!

For semi-long distance shooting (200-400 yards), do you shoot more accurately/precisely with traditional iron sights (ghost rings) or a red dot like an Eotech (1 moa dot)?   This is for an AR where I don't want to have a magnification optic but want to hit as accurately/precisely as possible out up to 400 yards.   What are some 'normal' groups your AR have delivered using an red dot (aimpoint, eotech, etc.) assuming good ammo and good shooting technique?      

Ops! That'll make for a very tall 223! That's a typo... 1.265 is the OAL. I'll still trim it down to say 1.250-1.260 so that they better fit in any magazine. and the photo of the target says "varget"...(I must have 308 on my mind), I meant to write WC844.

I hear they are good for grass/lawns.   I never tried it but that's what I heard.

Hello. I thought I'd share my load development progress for anyone especially interested in surplus powder and pulled bullets. I'm new to reloading in 223 so I'm also open to learn. I normally load for 308 so a lot of habits (good/bad) come from loading for a bolt gun. I used Hornady match brass + wc844 (military surplus powder) + pulled ss109 bullets (62 grains; green tips). OAL = 1.265. The gun is a S&W lower coupled with an unknown upper. Eotech optics. Trigger was a little tough at around 7 pounds. Temperature today was about 68 degrees. Light wind. Shooting done at 50 yards (allergies + glasses (instead of contacts) really tried my eyes today and that's why I only shot at 50; I couldn't see all the way to 100). Rested the front of the gun on sandbags. Rear of the bag rested on my support hand. This is only my 2nd time shooting it; I'm a newbie to ARs. Because I don't have a lot of components yet, I only did 3 shot groups. This is the rifle: I'm shooting at 50 yards. This was my test group using 3 rounds of American Eagle 223 rounds: This was different loads from 23.6 grains to 25.3 grains. This was the best group (24.1 grains). I had some extra rounds of (25.1 grains) so I shot this 5 shot group. .591 inches at 50 yards. Thoughts/Impressions: I started the first groups using a e-Lander 30 round mags but they were too tall to shoot benched but luckily, my friend had a 20 round "master mold" AR mag and I used that. I got 2 FTF. the round nose dived trying to get into the chamber and the carrier crashed on the side of the round; denting it badly. I wonder if it's the mag or are my rounds too long (they barely fit in the mag). No failures when firing from the lancer mag. I'm going to shorten the rounds to 1.260 (vs 1.265) just in case. I'm also going to load more (24.1 grainers). They seem to group the most. I normally like to OWC and shoot these round robin but i was trying to simplify it as I learned the rifle. I normally would also clean the flash hole, weigh bullets, etc (I did not here; I figure my eyes and trigger finger may be the weakest link). It's incorrect to assume a 1 inch group at 50 yards = 2 inches at 100 yards but I'll make that small assumption here. My group for factory rounds was a little over an inch at 50 so this is likely a 2.5-3 inch MOA rifle with factory ammo. My handloads got it to about .600 inches at 50. It'll be over an inch at 100 yards; not sub MOA but I reckon pretty good using a non magnification optic, heavy trigger and unknown/non match/free floated barrel. 3 shot groups I feel are 'almost cheating' so I'll loud up more of the 24.1 and see how they do with 5 shot groups. I was impressed that even the not so accurate 25.1 grain loads had a decent 5 shot group there. These black rifles are fun! (except for the trigger) If you spoke with me a few months ago, I'd be your classic Anti-ARer. I just didn't like them and bought into all the negative stuff on it. And then I shot buddy's AR at 300-400 yards a few months ago. Iron sights, nothing but a shooting mat and a sling and I connected shots. I fell for the black rifle then. It was bad timing of course to get into ARs; I kicked myself for my pride and not getting one of these pre-Sandy Hook. But I happened upon this one; it needed a home and didn't cost an arm/leg and now I adopted him. Now that it can shoot, I'll be giving him a name. (I'm open to suggestions).

For a bolt action, I don't like to crimp. I've been reloading for a semi auto now and I notice that without a crimp, when chambering, the bullet move forward of the case.   (so one way to test it is to load a dummy round, put dummy in magazine and work the action to see if the force pushes your bullet forward (don't want).   I've since put a very slight crimp on reloads for a semi-auto and that holds it in place.   Not related to the question but as a suggestion, I'd give Varget and Surplus Long Range Match (like RE15) a try.  My 308s love that powder.  =)

I got the following list below from a friend of a friend when I started to ask about ARs     The * that shows "preference" were done by him and not I.  This is just HIS list.  I don't agree/disagree one way or another.  I'm just sharing what was shared with me as i started down this path and asked the same questions (what optic to get, what handguards are good, what barrel is best, etc. etc.)         * = My Personal Preference Commercial Grade AR Companies (ranked worst to best): - Kel-Tec - Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services (DPMS, Panther Arms) - Inter Ordnance Incorporated (I.O. Inc.) - Olympic Arms - Para Ordnance - Dave Selvaggio Arms (DSA) - Charles Daly - Del-Ton - Central Missouri Machine Gun (CMMG) - DoubleStar - Bushmaster/Remington - Sig Sauer - Alexander Arms - Rock River Arms (RRA) - Armalite - Smith & Wesson (S&W) * - Stag Arms/ CMT * - Ruger - Yankee Hill Machinery (YHM) Premium Commercial AR Companies - Patriot Ordnance Factory - USA (POF) - JP Enterprises * - Wilson Combat - Les Baer Custom Recommended Mil-Spec Style Rifles: - Robinson Arms - Palmetto State Armory (PSA) - Spikes Tactical (ST) - Barrett - Sabre Defense - Colt         <-------- Combat Rifle Standard - American Armament Corporation (AAC) - Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) * - Daniel Defense (and Ambush Firearms) * - Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) - Primary Weapon Systems (PWS) - Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN) <-------- Combat Rifle Standard Premium Mil-Spec Precision Manufacturers (the best of the best) - Hekler & Koch (H&K) - LaRue Tactical * - Land Warfare Resources Corp. (LWRC) - Noveske Rifleworks - Knights Armory Company (KAC) Need More Research: -Adams Arms - Spirit of Arms - Blackheart - Wendham Armory - Sun Devil - R Guns - Core - Elite Arms - Adcore Defense Some AR-22 companies: - Colt/Umerax - Sig Sauer - Mossberg - Chaippa - S&W * - CMMG - Stag - HK Recommended general AR accessory companies: On a budget: - Magpul * - Spikes - ADM - Troy - Midwest Industries - Harris - Streamlight - Lasermax - Crimson Trace - Insight Technologies Premium: - PRI - Magpul - VLTOR - LaRue * - PWS - Tangodown - Lancer - Mega - Blue Force - Vickers Tactical - Surefire * - Raytheon - Butler Creek - Falcon Industries - KNS Precision - Atlas - Pelican - Storm - Fail Zero Avoid these AR accessory companies: - UTG - YHM - Tapco - American Tactical International (ATI) - ProMag - Blackhawk - C-Products - NcStar - Uncle Mikes - Young Manufacturing Top Optics Companies: - Aimpoint * - Eotech - Trijicon * - US Optics - Nightforce - Leupold - Zeiss - Shmidt & Bender * - Weaver - Swarovski Top Mounts: - Larue Tactical * - American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) - BOBRO Recommended Barrel Manufacturers: - Obermeyer - PAC-NOR (Noveske) * - White Oak Armament - FN - Lother Walther - Daniel Defense - Shilen - Krieger * - Douglas (Superior) - Hart - Lilja - Ranier UltraMatch Top Trigger manufacturers: - Geissele * - Timney - Chip McCormick - Wilson Combat - JP Enterprises Rcommended AR Magazine Companies: - Magpul * - PRI - Tangodown - Lancer - Beta-Mags - Troy Top Rail Manufacturers: - PRI - LWRC - Daniel Defense * - Centurion - KAC - LaRue Tactical * - VLTOR Recommended muzzle device manufacturers - Surefire * - PWS - Smith Enterprises - AAC - SJC - Troy - JP Enterprises Recommended Iron Sights - Troy * - A.R.M.S. - Daniel Defense - LMT - PRI Recommended stocks: Magpul: - CTR - ACS-L - UBR * - PRS VLTOR - IMOD * - EMOD LaRue - R.A.T. LMT - B5 Enhanced SOPMOD  

Guys, I hope it OK to resurrect this old thread but I realized 2 new tricks this week and thought I'd share here.   1. I had a bit of wobble in an AR.  Some google led me to the accuwedge and being the patient man I am, I couldn't wait and kept searching.  I did the 'o-ring' trick and that works!  (google ar15 o-ring trick and click on images to see some pictures of where to put it)  This is probably common knowledge for you guys but being a black rifle newbie, I was pretty excited when it worked and I wanted to share the feeling. =)   2. The wife kept complaining about me cleaning my gun on the carpet or table so I found some clean plywood and just covered it up with some felt you get at Walmart's fabric section.  Now i have a portable gun cleaning table of different sizes. 

thanks for the tip.  I decided to get in ARs a little bit late.  yep. I shot one in January after Sandy Hook and said, "Dangit, no wonder people like this.  You can hit stuff at 400 yards!"    It's a bad time to get into the black rifle and it's (now hard to find/expensive) ammo.

sorry for the tangent but I need to jump in here too.   I was at the dollar store and my bill was something like $2.23 cents.    I gave the girl $2 in bills and a 50 cent coin (you know, the one with JFK on it).  She looked at it for a few minutes and then proceeded to give me (2) twenty dollar bills and change... I was like... ?!?!   She must have never seen a 50 cent piece before (how, i don't know).  anyway, I corrected her.  I think she was still confused when I left but i couldn't cheat her.

My friend did pick up an r25 (308)... that thing lasted in the store for 2+ days!  and I just saw another one at another store last night.  I think more and more stores are getting stuff (and keeping in stock for longer than 5 minutes).   I think what will happen is folks who bought the ARs hoping to flip them will start to get desperate in a few weeks/months and we may start to see some better deals before the summer.

nope. We're here in Middle TN. 

Sorry Carter, I was actually hoping the opposite.   If folks who are in the market for an AR can see that the stores have them, they may hold off and stop buying the $1500 bushmasters in the classifieds.    If 1 person goes to the Academy and buys a rifle to sell it (technically a straw purchase), that is 1.   If 10 people read this and wait and hold and not buy that $1500 bushmaster... maybe that will help move the market back to normal levels? (helping 10)   I hope anyway.    Good point Dolomite; you're welcome to move it if you want.  I just want to help someone when I can.

A friend called me in the morning.  The Academy in Rivergate 'had a ton of ARs in stock'.  I went by at lunch. They had these in stock:   A Remington R25 (in black) for $1299 2 Sig m400s for $1299 1 Bushmaster. $729 (it's the carbon/lightweight with red dot model) 2 others that I'm not sure what the make was.  (Another $1049 I think were the prices) A S&W 15-22 for $499   I was tempted to get the Remington R25 but just couldn't justify it.  I didn't leave with any; leave it to someone who really needs/wants one. My brother in law (came with me) did get the bushmaster.  (He's a rifle newbie and just wanted one to get started on it).   It's likely that the rest are gone now.  Or maybe not..if anyone lives in the area and needs one.  They also had a quite a bit of boxes of 40 cal (white box, 100 rounds) in the customer service area.   It's a sign though that things are starting to get back in stock.  I would have been sure it would have been sold out well before 1pm; I was surprised (and my brother in law happy).

Murfreesboro Rd. in Antioch Walmart.  Empty of the 'common stuff'.  Lots of 30-30, 270 and 30-06 if you need though.

hi guys.   I'm just passing this along.  I stopped by Smyrna's Academy Sports on the way to work.   they have quite a bit of ammo in stock.  A boat load of 7.62x39 by tula and 5.56x39 by independence.   This is as of 8:15 this morning.   It's only 1 box per caliber per person limit but if you absolutely need, there you go.   There were other boxes (308 and 45 I believe) too but just not as much.  

... it's more reason to make a bunch of rounds and test them.  =)

Thanks for the comments guys!   jkb4c - you're right on.  It was the last round now that I think about it.    I just checked the gun.  The extractor is good and tight.    1911 is a S&W.  It's got an external extractor.  I can't feel any play.  If it does it again, I'll look into it some more.   Thanks for the info!

hi guys. What would cause this? 45acp. loaded with a 230 grain FMJ and 5.5 grains of unique. I'm pretty meticulous about my reloading. I weigh each charge and put a bullet in there before I even weigh the next one. My friend was shooting my 1911; not I. I asked him if it fired differently (harder or software). It was just like the rest of them. It hit the target just like the rest of them, no flyer or anything. I checked the gun/barrel/bore - nothing out of the ordinary. I then ran 2 magazines full into the target and no issues. I later stripped/cleaned the gun; all normal. I'm just curious on what would cause that.