223 Sierra 69 Gr. Matchking Results! Varget, RL-15, H322

[@Former11b]

Testing two random charges isn’t the way to go, for new reloaders out there. Ladder testing to find the nodes is more time consuming but you’ll get better results

[@sylvainster30]

My best load with Sierra match king 69 gr bullets out of my Tikka t3 is 24 gn of Accurate 2460 powder. One jagged hole at 100 yards all day! ✌🏼😎👍🏼

[@kevinclark877]

Nicely done I am just over a year in reloading for my rifles but been reloading for shotgun for a few years. I have been playing with a few brand of powder for my AR and loved the groups you were getting with the Varget and the H322. I have been leaning toward the H322 and Varget and will try them. Currently I am using the H335 and wasn't all that impressed and I was getting a tighter group from a standard box of PMC Bronze. But it did well in my Mossberg MVP LC .308. and Iike IdahoRodgers USMC stated your timing was prefect and I too will be switching to the .69 SMK. Thanks again for taking the time to post a very informative video. Always looking to learn more and enjoy shooting.

[@arl0xen551]

Just getting into reloading with my AR and this is exactly the content I have been looking for. Thank you for putting it up.

[@WestDesertShooter]

Anytime dude!

[@randallgibson3212]

Check out Johnny’s reloading bench if you haven’t already. He has some really great content as well.

[@michaeledlin9995]

You backed up my results. Thanks H322 is what I started with and continue today. Sub moa from 8 different AR 15s

[@bradpittman5075]

Hope you come back soon or make a vid letting us know where you are at. God bless you and the young family. Never quit.

[@Calaveras32Spcl]

Interesting results. I am starting the process of changing my 223 bolt action Ruger American over from just a plinker to a distance test. Picked up 69 SMK and 77 TMK, buddy also gave me some 75 Hornady A Max. Should be fun testing.

[@kylelusk8994]

Nice video bro! I also use the 69g Sierra . I have found varget to be my go to on that one out of my Daniel Defense.

[@WestDesertShooter]

kyle lusk this one is shaping up to look like H322 might be a better shooter but I’m not sure which has the better velocity, once I find the good groups for both I will chrono them and that will help me decide what to do

[@idahorodgersusmc]

I'm glad you did this vid! Great timming, I bought some IMI 69 smk ammo @ .60 per round. We ran this thru 3 different rifles, different barrels etc, and was really impressed at 100 yard groups and 400 distances. We shot along side with the *Fiochi 50 grain hornady boxed rounds, decided the .69 smk in imi was way better. Since then we been looking for a starting point to develop our own loads, AND poof? You have jumped the curve for us. Many thanx sir. I owe you a beer....or coke..lol.

[@WestDesertShooter]

IdahoBorne USMC haha I will take either one! Cool man glad I could help. Let me know what you guys try and what is working in your guns! I know a dude using benchmark with his and getting killer groups out to 800

[@billbee235]

I know this video is kinda old but if you didn't get pressure at 25gr of Varget you may want to try going up a touch more. I have an 18-inch AR that I run with the 69gr SMK, 26gr of Varget, 205M Primer, and Lake City Brass which gets me 2,900 fps. I don't get any pressure signs and it shoots some amazing groups. I've tested it out to 600 yards and can smack a 10-inch steel plate all day with my setup. FYI - it is a compressed load and definitely on the hotter end but there's no ejector swipes or primer flow.

[@jonrosenelson3235]

Thanks for the Information, I am a new reloader.

[@littledaddynesbit4193]

Just shot 69grn SMK reloads from my 1:9 22" barrel bolt and the best load of H322 was 23.1 grns - 3 shot grp of 1/2 MoA. No pressure signs and this is under the max load of 23.6 according to the Sierra online data. Velocity is around 2850 fps from my 22" barrel.

[@VitoBb1978]

WSD the .223 Remington another fun round to reload, I've used all the powders that you tried. H322 performed best for me with the 50 Gr Sierra's .Varget has performed outstanding with the 55 Gr FMJ, 69 Gr SMK BTHP, 77 Gr SMK BTHP. Reloader 15 also has performed outstanding with the 77 Gr SMK BTHP. Coming from my Savage Model 12 FV with a 26 inch fluted Barrel, using Lake City brass.

[@wavelength1970]

24.5 grains of TAC with the 69smk is amazing

[@RoscoPColetrane]

I found 22grains worked the best for me with the H322. Funny I just found your video and had tested varget and h322 earlier today.

[@williebulletman5217]

Nicely done sir great shooting

[@vikp6115]

It would be nice to know ur velocity with ur loads.

[@G5Hohn]

Dropping RL15 from a 69smk test based on a single charge weight is a mistake. That combination is arguably the most popular load in NRA HP service rifle. Try a few weights between the two you tried, and start lower to find the low node.

[@copperhead1317]

Sorry to see you drop the RE15. I’m using RE15: 23.3gn, 68gn BTHP, COL 2.254. Shoots

[@WestDesertShooter]

I’ve heard others have great success with RL 15 but I can’t seem to find a fit for it in my guns yet.

[@randallgibson3212]

I do at least 5 different charges per powder usually in .5 increments to start then .2-.3 increments when I start to see where the node is with accuracy and speed. I watch velocity as much as accuracy, if it’s not stable it isn’t worth much.

[@thecrusaders2516]

Have you continued your testing in smaller increments between charge weights? At .5 of a grain you could miss a node.

[@Thorsaxe777]

Give the information about your Upper and barrel combo, Chamber and barrel twist, bolt carrier make. Just a suggestion. Btw H322 is one of the old favourites of bench rest shooters. Many medals have been won and records set with that stuff. Good video dude.

[@JimPepperTactical]

Thor's Axe777 He's mentioned it in many past vids. Factory Palmetto rifle with 18 inch 1/7

[@WestDesertShooter]

your comment on JRB vid helped me decide to get a pound to try out and ive been pretty happy with it so far, for 223 i think a light bullet is where this powder would really shoot. a bit more case fill should help. I actually did record a bit explaining the gun specs but i cut it from a part of what i sad that was wrong info so it didnt make it to the video.

[@Thorsaxe777]

H322 is one of the powders I first started out within loading for the .223, However that's back when there were no bullets for the .223 heavier than 60 grains and twist rates were common is 1-9 and 1-12. Lots of Guys were using Varget Powder when It first came out for the .223 and .308, I'm sure that many people still do, I stick with IMR-4895 because that has been what I always used for high power. Reloader 15 I found it works well in my rifle. It's a Rock River 1-8 service upper on a PWA lower.

[@DLN-ix6vf]

I shoot nothing but 223 ammo and use nothing but CFE223. Last year I had some 10 various powders and settles on nothing but CFE223 THE END

[@codya5333]

25.1 grains RL 15 with the 69 SMK and I get .5 to .8 inches at 100. Funny how every rifle is different

[@ChiefManny1]

I get 1" at 200 yards. 5 shot. 24.2 grains, 2.250 oal. But the one thing I dont like is, it burns crazy hot.

[@chrismaurer2075]

I found what shoots best in my colt HBAR with 20 in 1/7 barrel is 25.3 gr varget topped with 69 gr smk seated to 2.260 it still fits the mags just fine.My son has the same gun and we both get sub MOA and would probally be better with a better trigger than what colt gives.

[@WestDesertShooter]

Those things are probably screaming out of that longer barrel and stout charge, look into rock river two stage triggers they are very affordable and a way better feel than mil spec for around 95$

[@shorttee9270]

Were all of your test rounds loaded on a single stage or progressive press? Since posting this video, have you tried any other powders and found an optimal combination?

[@cirbill]

what kind of c.o.l,. do you have? Or do you use C.B.T.O. For off the lands ?

[@GianniG55]

Hi hope your well? , can I start by saying I don't shoot an AR type rifle myself but from what I see I guess these types of guns are not as accurate as a bolt gun and I do get that, and that they look fun to shoot too, so can I start by saying how far down are you seating them 69s coz they kinda look pretty deep, are they out as much as you can get away with without any mag problems or are they at max length, how much neck tension have you got on them , how uniform are your cases, and are your powder charges pretty accurate , sorry for all the questions it's just when I see these types of results on paper it would drive me nuts lol and I only say that because I reload myself though bolt action rifles only, and yes I do like small groups at the end of the day but that's me lol . Is there any chance you could put together a video showing the prep for your brass showing what you do to get your brass right, powder throwing , how and with what tool you seat your primers, and all that good reloading stuff we reloaders like to see, as one reloader to another I want you to build accurate rounds so you can say HOLY SHIT look at that group lol I don't care if it's an AR it can still be a tack driver what do you think? all the best Gianni.

[@WestDesertShooter]

Hey GianniG, I am well thanks. To see my brass prep process and reloading Ive shown it in my Nosler 50 Gr. part 1 video as well as my own How to reload match 223 video, they are in my list of videos on my channel! hopefully that gives you an idea of my current process. I seat these with a Lee seating die and they are loaded to 2.250" OAL for good functionality in the magazines, pretty normal length for the AR rifles. an AR rifle can be very accurate with a high quality barrel, unfortunately mine is fairly cheap, many are fully free-floated which can really help. ive never checked neck tension because i only have one die right now for resizing. Powder charges likely vary due to my cheap digital scale but i do my best to make them as consistent as possible. for my purposes anything under an inch will work great, i just shoot steel at long range so remaining energy and lethality is not an issue. my bolt gun is a bit different id like to keep it under a half if possible! i have many videos on both most questions you have can be found unfortunately they are scattered throughout my videos! many thanks i hope to see more from your channel soon.

[@GianniG55]

West Desert Shooter Hey thanks for getting back buddy I will have a look through some more of your videos to get a better understanding of your reloading process, at the moment I have been waiting for my new rifle build which will be a full custom job chambered in 6.5 x 47 Lapua still waiting for Barrel, Stock, and Action from the states to get back to me in England then hopefully my gunsmith will finally build it already been waiting 6 months but I know you can't rush these guys. But I will be definitely be doing some reloading videos on finding a load and the case prep that I use for the Lapua Brass for my new beastie lol will be trying the Berger 130g hybrids OTM and the Sierra 130g Tipped matchkings.. I use the Sierra 69g match and Tipped matchkings for my .223 and they both work really well. I only wish I had a desert to shoot in like you lol all the best G.

[@ethankelso1032]

The hogedon CFE .223 shoot well in mine. 24gn

[@michaeledlin9995]

22.5 gr h322 75 bthp 2.2495 oal federal brass cci400 try it

[@TheReloaderDude]

😁👍👍

[@hebrewhooligan5462]

Anyone here what his twist is? I'm guessing 1/7 or 1/8 if hes using 69gn?

[@jimsteckenfinger9990]

What is your o.a.l. ?

[@WestDesertShooter]

I am limited to magazine length so I run 2.250-2.260 depending on the day

[@jimsteckenfinger9990]

I have the same problem.

[@joe8211]

I have a problem loaded to 2.26 in Magpul mags have to bump it down to 2.25 at least

[@racer3212]

I think your 75gr BTHP rounds did better than that!

[@WestDesertShooter]

so far they have, but having multiple bullets i can use if others become unavailable is a good thing. i also shot the 75s a few more times before i hit that half inch mark. the H322 shot a kick ass group and im expecting real good results shooting those again, the next are loaded i just need to go to the range again! thanks Douglas, btw i replied to my channel discussion from your comment the other day hope it helped

[@willterry6390]

What were the velocities

[@WestDesertShooter]

If I didn’t mention them in the video I didn’t chrono them

[@tobythe4]

what is your barrel twist?

[@WestDesertShooter]

1:7 18”

[@tier1armorychannel53]

DUDE GET A CHRONO THEY GIVE YOU SO MUCH DATA TO GO BY.

[@WestDesertShooter]

I have one, I just dont set it up every time i go shoot. once I find a good shooting round I will chrono them

[@Soravia]

Your shot count is too low to compensate human and wind factors. Shoot at 50 to get less outside elements

[@WestDesertShooter]

Eh, I like 100 yard groups. It’s much more standard than 50 Yards. Yes there are human factors but those factors still exist at 50. 100 yards wind does almost nothing especially when shooting the entire group in similar wind conditions

[@Soravia]

West Desert Shooter we shoot 25 to zero in military. To eliminate all outside stuff as much as possible and get the sight correct. I would do the same to get as much purely as possible on ammo. One this is ammo may also have inconsistent case or bullet when they were made. That would throw off a lot of shots. Your hand loads would actually measure the bullet size to barrel twist issues.

[@50calpulse76]

Looks like you need more practice and a ton more experience maybe even the correct barrel would make the difference