Are there any factory loads that you are just sure will tell you what kind of accuracy you can expect from your AR?

I know Jeff told me to try some Federal Gold match w/69 SGK back when I was wondering about my first carbine and how it was shooting. Compared to the PMC TAC it was quite an improvement and kept me from looking for a different barrel.

Seems like I heard some of the Black Hills was that way also. What do you try when you just want to see if it's a shooter? What bullet weights?

Reloads too, is there a load you have that just seems to work in most barrels, no matter what?

The Federal Match 69gr load would be my reccomendation as well. Your gun may like something else better but the Federal should at least shoot good, if not great. Between three or four different types of "match grade" ammo, your should find something that shoots well. If not, I'd contact the manufacturer.

Even the worst AR barrels should shoot less than 2 MOA with quality ammo.

I agree with using a known match load, and I'll add that I take several loads to the range for testing, especially if I'm having issues with what I expect to be good.

It depends on what I have available, but I'll take everything from ball ammo to match/target loads.

HSM 69s, most black hills too

25 varget and 69 sierra moly, LC case, CCI BR4 at 2.250 oal.

Has to be a proven 60 vmax load too, I just have never had any of those...

The black hills and federal loads listed have been good for sure but quite a bit cheaper and damn good is fiocchi 50 gr vmax. $20/50 is hard to beat. I always keep a decent stash around

Gonna have to try some of those Fiochis.

Do it dirt...doubt you'll be dissapointed, especially for the price

My brother had a cheaper single shot rifle, the New England Arms or similar in .223 that also loved those Fiocchis and I bet it had a lot slower twist.

Thanks for the replies. Any of you all ever pull bullets and look at and weigh powder charges when you find a good one?

Thanks, Cert. Saw the dang things at a good price on sale recently with free shipping, but didn't pull the trigger. Won't miss 'em next time.

I'd shoot the ammo you plan to use and if the AR doesn't shoot it well, get one that will.

Shooting 50-64gr FMJ/SP/HP ammo works perfectly for what I do so if an AR couldn't shoot 50gr HP/PTV or 55-64gr SP I wouldn't want to own it....

On Jeff's advice I traded into some 69grain Federal GMM.

This was my first five shots at 200 yards. Wind kinda got me on one, the target stands weren't very stable at the line.

That's fantastic shooting for a red dot at 200 yds.!

That's for sure.

Blue, whose FF handguard are you using there?

Nebraska, I get what you are saying and it may be I use that for an excuse to build another gun.

For the most part I shoot steel plates at 100-250 yards for fun and keeping the skill set. If I ever decide to shoot a coyote, any one of the 2-3 inch at 100 loads would suit me fine. For deer (probably doe only season) or hogs the Hornady 70 gr. GMX load I tried will be more than good. I've been a trad bowhunter for the last 20 years, a 100 yard shot seems like a long one to me. lol

The old rifle shooter in me just wants to see some little clusters down there, we all like that challenge.

I got Varget and 69 SMK's at Cabelas tonight, they were out of 60 gr. V-max and no Black Hills or Fed GMM but I will put in an order on payday.

That's a factory Barnes Precision rifle and their rail. I haven't taken it off to weigh it, but I'd guess that it's not the lightest just looking at it. Not heavy, but it's not a BCM KMR for sure. That being said, this thing is incredibly stout. It uses a really long barrel nut and locks up super tight.

Thanks, I adjusted the zero and shot some steel after that. It's hard to measure group size on steel but I was very impressed. At 400 seeing the target was the thing holding me back more than anything.

The other groups didn't seem as tight, but the wind had a greater effect at 300-400, too.

I have shot a few very good groups with factory Hornady 55 grain vmax and its not too expensive.

Nice group Blue, I guess the rifle is covering up the other 15 shots?

That's a great way to spend the day!

15? Try 20....

Stout is good. Probably didn't run you right at $300 either.

Another bargain priced factory ammo that has given very good results in several AR rifles and carbines is the Federal American Eagle Tipped Varmint 50 gr loads. I have paid anywhere from $7 to $10 per box of 20. Ditto on the Fiocchi Extrema V-MAX loads, both the 40 and 50 gr varieties.

Not exactly, I won it last year.

Even better.

I have a friend who swears by Atlanta Arms 60grain VMax. I shot with him at 400 yards today and the three top right shots were his. You could cover them with a fist.

Looks like it's already been stated, but I'm a fan of the Fiochi 50 gr. loads.