77gr Berger OTM Tactical with AR-Comp and Accurate 2520

[@G5Hohn]

Johnny, you've made a believer out of me-- adjustable gas is a recipe for constant fiddling and frustration.

[@Thorsaxe777]

Johnny, I agree with you on the Marksmanship. Also, Take into the consideration of the mechanics that are involved, working tolerances, and loading, extracting and ejection. I would say that anything in the less than 1/2 to the line of 1/4 is awesome and getting any better groups is unsustainable on a consistent basis because of the human factor. these loadings are at the goal of any competitive shooter. I would say you have cracked the case. You have done a wonderful job in this study and have proven results. Keep up the good work. Dave.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Very merry Christmas to all! Thanks for all your effort.

[@rodneylane634]

Just found your site and I want to compliment you on your great videos. I especially want to thank you for turning me on to AR-Comp for 223 loads in my target AR. This is the best load I have ever found for the .223. Keep up the great videos!!

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Thanks, Rodney! AR-Comp is great stuff.

[@geraldbondoc5974]

Merry Christmas, Johnny & to the JRB community!!!

[@neilharris4462]

Merry Christmas, brother. Thanks for making time to squeeze us in your schedule!

[@leeleland2435]

I see this vid is 5 years old, but I'm 71, and I'm seriously learning a lot. I've been reloading for a good many years, but dayammm!

[@LoadsofBacon]

Col John "Hannibal" Smith would be proud, because he loves it when a plan comes together. Merry Christmas brother!

[@tangobravozulu9483]

Thanks for the break from the Christmas Chaos! Thank you and wish you the best for the upcoming New Year.. I'm back to the Frey... Thanks again for the 24 minute respite! Be well...

[@TheReloaderDude]

WoW!!! That is some of your best groups ever!! Excellent. 😁👍👍

[@daviddale3624]

That was like Christmas fireworks....Oooh, Ahhh. Those J-4 Jacket Bergers are exceptional and obviously jump tolerant. Now, the best group challenge. Most accurate charges with a Berger vs Sierra shoot out! Thank you.

[@chrisoutdoors8998]

Nice shooting! Accurate bullet / powder combination. Merry Christmas Johnny.

[@1Alexville]

You did it! Best shooting so far. Well done. Buying more Bergers.Thank you for all your work and Merry Christmas

[@miloisbad]

Hey man. I had to drop you a message. I started reloading a few months ago, and your videos are the most helpful I’ve come across. I also like the long format, it’s very informative and sort of soothing to watch you go about your process. Excellent work here, youe mk262 series is the best.

[@shaunkitsu9825]

Merry Christmas everybody! Hope everyone has all smiles with family and friends today. JRB, great review as always. Finally some 223 Bergers! Just tried the 73 grain targets with H4895 and AR Comp and I'm impressed. These definitely are really really nice bullets. I'd hope so for the price. Great review and happy holidays to you and all of your viewers.

[@benjaminnevins5211]

Dang, those are some crazy groups. Nice work!

[@dannyharris047]

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Great 2018! Thanks for your work on all of the Videos!

[@Ash93300]

This is a great christmas present ! Thank you very much !

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

De rein, my friend.

[@tim7of717]

Merry Christmas

[@dominickdelfino7552]

When you are shooting .353” groups you are that good Johnny! Stop being so damn humble!

[@davidpeterson6147]

Merry Christmas to all. JRB, thanks for the video and I use CCI41 in everything except 300 BLK, I use CCI 450.

[@stevefeldt3114]

I shot Bergers exclusively and from what I have seen is I can always push them faster then others. I have heard that Bergers have a bit smaller bearing surface then others idk how true that is. I run the 77gr otm in my Wilson combat Super sniper with the 20" barrel with H4895 at 2800 fps and it shots lights out. Thanks for all the great videos Johnny

[@stevefeldt3114]

I have a Berger Reloading manual so if you need any load data I can snap a picture and send it to you if needed.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Someone else snapped a picture so I've got it now. Thanks for the offer!

[@mattfleming86]

One other thing to consider about hitting pressure earlier here.. the "tactical" berger bullets are supposed to have their THICKEST toughest jackets. I'd say the engraving process is building a little more pressure.

[@CountryBoyPrepper]

You are turning me in to a Berger fan.

[@THutch556]

JRB excellent shooting. The Berger was flying great out of your WOA barrel also. Nicely done. I have worked up that bullet a few times now and it has always shot great. If you can, Varget, 8208 XBR and N140 will all shoot REALLY REALLY good also with that bullet. If you need Reloading Data on that Berger bullet from the book just let me know. Keep up the great work.

[@psykoklown874]

The primer feeder should be made to rotate where needed. They should make it with left, right, and center detents.

[@jevonreinert4033]

Merry Christmas!!!

[@jwhmerica504]

Thank you for your videos. They Bering me peace. Merry Christmas. Your a great American!

[@nycreloader]

Awesome shooting there Tex. Great info too and yes Berger bullets are good stuff. Merry Christmas

[@MPjdog]

At first I found it awkward to use the Frankford primer but after a hundred rounds or so I am loving it.

[@speedyscraftservice]

Merry Christmas Johnny..

[@BB_Chaptsick]

Johnny, Merry Christmas, sir! Great video. Great shooting. Thank you for your channel. Be interesting to see load development of 8208 XBR sitting behind those Berger 77 gr. OTMs.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

I thought long and hard about using XBR in this video instead of AR-Comp. I love them both! I am 99% sure XBR will be one of the powders we test next because I'm not seeing many recommendations for other stuff here in the comments.

[@Zach1991z]

"That's just good shootin brother" love the videos. Looks like I need to invest in some Berger bullets

[@anchorbait6662]

Thanks for the Christmas video. We appreciate it. :)

[@justa3v619]

wow I some how missed this video 2 years ago somehow I watch all your videos the day you drop them man Ima have to play with this combo that's some really nice groups and velocity is just as nice. Think Ima start at 21 grains of ar comp and work up to 22

[@ohiovikingsfan9294]

Graf and sons has Lapua 77gr senar bullets for $19.99 per 100. Johnny you need to get some and do a video with those

[@kevinhanlon4512]

Great vids,video, to ar band wagon,went out west to shot prairie dogs ,used my sons ruger ar,now a proud owner of a rock river, and being a reloader ,I'm all in on your vids,Thanks

[@varanidguy]

I love AR-Comp, it's my go-to powder, even in bolt actions providing it's good for the cartridge and bullet combo.

[@mattfleming86]

Its now one of the first I try. And benchmark for light stuff. Every time i tried varget and AR Comp in the same test, AR comp was tighter (and less of a fight for case capacity)

[@danielgamez210]

Awesome video! Have you thought of doing a head to head with Sierra 69gr and Berger 70gr? I have boxes of those two, and haven't loaded them yet. I think it'd be a neat video. Keep it up, man.

[@richardtibbetts5020]

Merry Christmas! I hope your family and you have a wonderful day! I think using Rem primers is a bad idea..jmo. I have not had good luck with anything Rem except thier brass. I prefer CCI, then S&B, then Winchester. More consistant. The number 41's are military primers, not nessarily comp grade. I have 3 AR's, and so far the standard primers are doing quite well. Jmo.

[@ethanclark6859]

I love the accuracy powders like AR comp and 8208xbr can offer.

[@dgficklin8830]

Binge watching the whole series today. Good stuff. I'd like to see you put together a National Match CMP legal service rifle, and put this knowledge toward earning a Distinguished Rifleman badge, Pesident's Hundred tap, and High Master Classification in High Power XTC. You would love it.

[@calangel]

The primer likely wasn't the issue at all or at least the primary factor, JRB. The issue was that 2520 was comfortably slow, so a reduction in case capacity has smaller effect on the burn rate and subsequent velocity. AR Comp is on the verge of being too fast, then switch it into a smaller case capacity and you get a much higher velocity. To test this, use a slow powder for bullet weight vs a fast powder for bullet weight in LC vs Starline brass. An example would be to use the 62gr BTHP with N133 vs AA2520. Both powders in both cases and measure velocities.

[@matthewdockter2424]

It was my understanding that CCI41s were Small Rifle Mag but with a thicker cup.

[@JH-nf4xd]

Good morning and Merry Christmas! Some great looking groups! How does the bearing surface on the Berger compare to the other two bullets? Perhaps that has some contribution to the increased velocity?

[@everythingphil9376]

9:02 Lol. Love your channel, man.

[@richardsveum8452]

Graff and Sons has been my source for Berger bullets, I have a 6mm Fat Rat, “based off the 6.5 Grendel case”: that absolutely loves them . Sub 1/2 MOA is the rule not the exception.

[@colorado-sam7638]

Man I love Berger! My go-to lights out combo is the 73gn otm with IMR 8208xbr.

[@dontask8979]

Merry Christmas everyone! Good stuff and thank you for the "Holiday Special"

[@boogerdog5247]

Ahhh...1:8 twist with 77 gr. Gonna be interesting. Watching for stability, tightness. These Berger's are getting popular in all calibers.

[@daviddale3624]

Love the name "Boogerdog", as I have had several. The 1 in 8 18" with a Wylde chamber is optimum for the 77s. My 1 in 7 is slightly shorter and has a NATO chamber. There is a significant accuracy difference when you increase the lead. The next size up is the 80s, but they need to be single loaded (as they will be too long for most magazines). You need to load 80s longer to maintain enough space in the cartridge for sufficient propellant.

[@rdsii64]

I know you are got a lot on your plate now with you going back to working full time and getting used to a new normal. When you get a chance, the 73 grain ELD is begging to be tested with 8208 and AA2520. Good luck to you and hope it all works for the best.

[@Natedoc808]

Use your hand primer with the moving handle in your palm, fingers around the larger body of the handle, should clear up that feed issue

[@BigRigOutdoors]

Looks like I need to fork over a little more $$ and get some Berger's see if they shoot better the my Serra loads great video

[@boogerdog5247]

OK, I CAN ONLY SPECULATE HOW RELOADER 26 performs vs. today's powder selections. Already wondering what your barrel twist will be, 1:7, or my question, how 77 gr. perform in Wylde 1:8 twist. Wonderful channel. Haven't reloaded in decades, getting the itch. It's all your fault. Great Creedmoor presentation the other day. Thank you.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

This 1:8 twist barrel has stabilized all of the 77gr bullets very well! That's one of the main reasons I went with 1:8...to see for myself. Reloder 26 is too slow and bulky for the little .223 case. That's how it goes...as the cartridge gets bigger the powders get slower burning so you can put a bunch of it in there. RL26 is right at the limit for the Creedmoor. You saw how full those cases were in that last video! Hope you'll join us in the reloading cult!

[@boogerdog5247]

Johnny's Reloading Bench Thank you kindly for the reply. I only have one AR with a 1:7 twist, a sloppy Narmil truck carbine gas. I prefer mid length, but rifle in my .264 LBC 6.5 Grendel's 20 " bbl. I have too many 1:8 Wylde's. Bought some 75 gr. hollow pts. for non-paper punching, so have no clue on how they fly, but always wondered if Wylde 1:8 would fling 77's with stability at 100, but also at extended ranges. Interesting, you have the same curiosity, is 1:7 an industry spin? I'm work in progress on two 308 lowers, a hunter .308 AR, and cheap shooter, and a Creedmoor. Delta Tac is doing 416R 18" kits or complete upper, as cheap as I can build by component, with no stepdown in quality. The Creedmoor will likely rekindle the handloading itch.

[@MrTHORN74]

Rcbs bench primer Johnny. Give it try, I love mine!

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

I've had my eye on the RCBS or the Lee bench primers. That really does seem like a great way to get the job done. I've never tried one!

[@Thorsaxe777]

As you have seen. Cookie has the RCBS bench mounted one and he loves it. I guess it all depends on if you like the portability of the hand primer unit or the sensitivity of the bench mounted one. I plan on ordering the bench RCBS unit for my bench, The drop tubes are the same as my Dillon's(which I have a plentiful supply of) and I have the zip prime for loading them. That will be my next move. Dave

[@hzk8773]

It is hard to say what is the best load for the bullet and powder. Good video

[@308guy8]

Merry Christmas I think I'm gonna try some berger bullets I've been holding off because of price but after seeing those groups I gotta get some of those and AR COMP

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Life is too short to pass up awesome bullets.

[@justinhohn9974]

I think it's the combination of AR-comp and Starline. It seems you have to run Starline several tenths of a grain lower.

[@tomkimbrel8723]

Merry Christmas 🎄 JRB, enjoy your videos and learn a lot! Have you tested the Magnetospeed Sporter? I just got one as a present and have read about it. Some snow here in Idaho so haven’t been to the range yet. I would like to know what you think about it.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

I haven't tried the sporter myself, but I've heard nothing but good things about it! I think it should work very well for you! It has the same precision and accuracy as the V3 version, as far as I know.

[@jarredlkling]

well i know what im buying with my Brownells gift card I got for Christmas

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Solid choice!

[@LabRat1511]

Another absolutely fantastic video! Thank you for all the work you put into these videos. I truly appreciate the information revealed. Which powder would you choose between the two 2520 and AR Comp? I have used a metric sh*t ton of Varget out of laziness as it works well for both 308 and 223. I’m looking to expand and start working up a Mk262 clone but finances are tight and I need bullets and powder. At any rate thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Since you're already used to using an extruded powder in Varget, I would definitely go with AR-Comp. More stable velocities and better groups in my guns. I get pressure signs at Mk262 velocities, but back it down just a bit an you're in good shape. You can definitely beat Varget in velocity a little! Alliant also has 308 load data for AR-Comp from 130-180gr bullets, so it will be a nice replacement for Varget in your situation.

[@matthewmacek8584]

I would love to see a video with Bob's bullet using Tac powder!

[@ktmracer3587]

What program are you using to measure groups? I also like the new format from the past few videos with the group measurements. Thanks for the great videos

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Thanks! It's a program called OnTarget. ontargetshooting.com/

[@rdsii64]

With AR-Comp being a faster powder, I bet it would be a miracle worker with Hornaday's 62 grain BTHP. I have enough of them to give it a try. I already have a large quantity of AA2520 on hand. I see some AR-Comp in my future. Since my AR10 loves AA2520 wi 155 grain bullets I will always keep it on hand, but based on your results I'm itching to try AR-Comp with both 62 and 75 bullets in both my AR15's.

[@markhynson1141]

Great video. When you're using a bullet without a cannelure do you crimp at all with the Lee crimp die.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Sometimes, yes. In this case I decided not to.

[@garyjohns5817]

Must just be the day lots of smoke with the 2520 also

[@colsoncustoms8994]

How does the bc of these compare to the Nosler or the Sierra? My buddy was wanting to do a mk262 clone and my immediate first thought was the go with a Berger bullet instead.

[@rdsii64]

The BC on this particular berger bullet is .376 which is very close to the Nosler CC and the Sierra Match king.

[@FullSendPrecision]

Follow up... Ive learned that my 18 inch WOA barrels will shoot just about any 77g class bullet at 2680FPS happily... regardless of powder

[@joelwolfe]

Failures to load at 2.260 length. Could it be the difference between stamped mags and pmags?

[@jonlockhart8436]

Belated Merry Christmas Johnny. Love the video. Looks like you got a shooter there. What's the software you using to get those groups? That is super handy.

[@eloiseharbeson2483]

Do those Bergers have lead cores? I would have expected a solid bronze pill to be longer.

[@stevenmarcus2709]

My man... my internet mentor, you must use a heavy buffer like an H3. It will definitely have enough gas and once you find a sweet spot you normally never have to adjust it again. Trying to find a sweet spot running a carbine or H1 buffet is next to unrealistic.

[@308guy8]

I saw a video you did awhile back where you were shooting a K-31 I live in southwest va and been looking for one for a long time really don't wanna go through gun broker do you know any places that might have one for a decent price

[@nicholas1740]

I shoot a Daniel Defense 18" S2W 1/7 barrel. I'm using the same components you are with the exception of the brass. I'm using Lake City brass. I also ran my AR Comp charges up to 22.4gn. At that charge weight my FPS average was 2650. All my SD's were in the single digits with the exception of one, that being about 19. I'm really wondering if the case selection would cause a reduction of 100 fps from what you have here???

[@grantjamrock3812]

Would love seeing a video using some sierra 77gr tmk rounds

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

I will be trying them sometime. The main problem is that they are significantly longer than the standard Match Kings, so when you have to seat for 2.260" magazines, you eat up a good bit more case capacity. I don't think we could get them going quite as fast without hitting pressure, but I definitely want to give them a try!

[@itvnz]

I use the 77 TMK’s and have been hawkishly following the MK262 Series for which I’ll eternally grateful to Johnny because he is pretty much doing what I’m trying to achieve. I use Winchester Brass & CCI BR4’s for my experiments. Have tried a lot of the powders in the MK262 videos. I used to use CFE223, and Johnny’s data aligned with my results and I’ve abandoned it for PowerPro 2000-MR, so happy to see the groups tighten. I also found that the BR4 primer adds about 30fps more on the coronagraph. I have recently tried the Nosler 70gr RDF out to 600yards with promising results, was tighter at the 600 than the TMK’s that day, but will repeat it again in the near future.

[@roywadsworth2102]

question in loading sabot rounds how do you determine the power and weight ? case 300wm bullet 77 gr mk power and weight?

[@brianholcomb2137]

Have you ever tested the CCI 41 vs the CCI 450? I wonder what the difference in Velocity would be.

[@hondaracer480r]

Hey Johnny I’m kinda new to reloading what is the top 3 powders that you would use for Ar15’s chambered in 223/5.56

[@bubblehead7680]

So is the Starline brass similar in build to 5.56 brass?

[@Mrhirtzel]

Do you get rings around the bullets on those longer 75 or 77 GR bullets? I have the same forester die I’ve seen in a couple other videos (I got it because you had it lol) as well as an RCBS. They both leave rings around the bullet. I’ve tried to polish it but it still left a ring. Any suggestions. I’m loading 22.4 of IMR 4166 (of course big ole chunks of powder) with 75 HPBT Hornadys. Im crunching a little bit of powder but it’s minimal at 22.4.

[@tiebear1]

Was the first shot cold bore ? That was outstanding shooting i kept waiting for the Johnny flyer but it never came. Really enjoy the videos keep up the good work !!!!!

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

I had shot 5 rounds of Mk262 clone load to get my zero right before I started filming, so the bore was not cold.

[@YukarisGearReviews]

What are your thoughts on these 3 77 gr bullets (Nosler vs Sierra vs Berger)? Bergers seem quite expensive and the Sierras already shoot quite well, better than the Noslers by far.

[@jaxplane]

Merry christmas..... did you disable the preview thumbnails on the progress bar? i can get them on older videos but on your new ones i cant? it makes it really handy to replay parts.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

There is no option to enable/disable that on my end. I notice the exact same problem sometimes when I'm watching some youtube videos. I'm not sure why it works on some and not others! Drives me crazy.

[@jaxplane]

it seems to happen on your newer videos, and makes me crazier

[@m.s.l.7746]

jaxplane I've never seen it on any video...ever. would be nice though...

[@northcarolinagunenthusiast6532]

Was the first round on the AR comp load a fouler shot?

[@FullSendPrecision]

77g Berger Data: imgur.com/a/oYdBz

[@pacowboy1968]

Do you do any .17 caliber (.17 Rem) testing?

[@hydrostaticshocker3048]

I'm not sure if you've already discussed it or not, but have you ever tested or know if different years of LC or FC make any difference in their capacity or accuracy or do you just mix the years?

[@alaincote9337]

Coud you give us à loader for 223 55gr lever evolution please Alain Québec Canada

[@Patriotusa44]

Can you use Berger tactical 224 77gr bullets for 5.56 spec reloads? I'm considering this as my go to round.

[@rogerhelmich3234]

He was using Load data for the .223. Western arms load data for the 5.56 max is 25.5 for AA2520 with the 77 GR. I use the rem 7 1/2 primers (the hottest small rifle primer) and I have a MK262 Clone (same velocity but better accuracy than the Black Hills) 20 rounds into 1.5" at 500 yards with a Larue stealth 20" upper. 20 rounds into 5" at 500 yards with a Colt 6920. The cannelure on the sierra hurts the accuracy of the bullet and is only there to help the bullet come apart when it hits Flesh. The Non cannelure sierra, the Nosler and the Berger otm 77grs projectiles all give similar accuracy. This load has the best Standard Deviation of any load I have ever worked up with SD 4.5. Load data is available on the Western Powders Website.

[@gconnoyer]

Love the channel!! Curious as to why I haven’t seen any Varget as a test powder on here and also, why are you using an AR instead of a bolt gun to check variables in components? Keep up the awesome videos!

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

Why not use a good bolt action for accuracy and you won't suffer from these issues and get better hunting accuracy and better velocity from a 22 or 24 inch barrel?

[@Dragunov82]

CONCENTRICITY. Sorry to jump out. I would love to see a video on the difference in concentricity before and after chambering a round. To see if the ramps push the bullet out of alignment. Thanks boss. You are the king on the net. Take care

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

That was my worry on the AR-Comp loads. I had several that jammed up a bit and got their brass dented. What might it have done to concentricity? I will be diving into this subject sometime soon, but it is an extremely tough thing to test. I already tested some Mk262 factory ammo and shot best 5 and worst 5 groups, and the worst 5 actually shot a smaller group! I really like to be able to show results on paper and I'm not sure the concentricity discussion lends itself well to that. A null result is still a result, so I want to do something soon. If concentricity isn't worth obsessing over in my type of shooting...I want to get the word out!

[@Dragunov82]

Johnny's Reloading Bench Thanks for the response. I wasnt sure if you had a concentricity gauge or not, but, results on paper seem to speak well. Thanks again.

[@jnljnl8485]

Berger should give the data free for the price they charge for the projos. Many people would use them if they got the load data free.

[@ewetho]

Damn Berger's shooting like crap again. What are ya thinking paying for those for... Lol nice shooting! Need to get more of those! Now do a final workup and nail down that one load for that bullet.

[@wesjwaandrews7524]

My cheap Butt ain't never buying burgers unless they cost the same as hornady 55 grain sp.

[@claudioflores7141]

No más vídeos con publicidad a media reproducción.

[@JohnnysReloadingBench]

Los componentes cuestan dinero

[@garyjohns5817]

Lots of smoke with ar comp....

[@meanman6992]

224 thumbs up XD

[@vikp6115]

This are better groups ans sds than thise overpriced black hill ammo

[@CountryBoyPrepper]

You are turning me in to a Berger fan.