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For starters, I am brand new to reloading, like many people right now. My grendel rifle is an AR with a 22" criterion barrel. I have only shot Hornady Black 123gr through it, and so far it has been less than impressive- about 1.25 to 1.5 moa at 100 yards. After picking up a chrony, I realized that the ES on these, just among the 10 rounds I shot, was 100 fps! That would help explain why i would get 3 or 4 shots in a group basically touching, then 1 or 2 that were way off. Anyhow, those results are far from what I am looking for, since I built this gun to ring steel at 1000 yards and a little beyond. Average velocity for the Hornady was 2532, at 4500' on a warm, clear 70 degree day.
On to the reloading. To start with a quality pill, I picked up some 123gr SMK. 123gr seems to be a good balance of velocity and a big enough splash when I miss. My issue is that Sierra's load data for this round is listing velocities well below 2400 fps for all but two powders. Does anyone have experience with this bullet that can recommend a good load that will still be short enough to cycle in an AR?
On to the reloading. To start with a quality pill, I picked up some 123gr SMK. 123gr seems to be a good balance of velocity and a big enough splash when I miss. My issue is that Sierra's load data for this round is listing velocities well below 2400 fps for all but two powders. Does anyone have experience with this bullet that can recommend a good load that will still be short enough to cycle in an AR?
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