First Time Rifle Handloads, MK262 Clone

[aOWENc]

All,

I have been loading for handguns for the last year, but just tried my first rifle handloads yesterday.

I was shooting 77 grain Sierra MK using Federal brass, A2520, and CCI SRP. I started at the minimum charge and worked up to .3 grains under max. A2520 is a temperature sensitive powder and it was a 90 degree day with 70% humidity in Indiana.

The final load ended up being the most accurate, but all of them hovered around an inch. I called the last shot as a flyer. Final charge velocity averaged 2840 FPS with a standard deviation of 26. This load was fairly warm but I saw no signs of over pressure. This was faster than the IMI 77 gr razor core by 100 FPS, and also slightly faster than the Black Hills MK262 load in the same rifle

The rifle is my FN 20" M16 style upper that I bought last year. I slapped it on a Aero M16A4 clone lower. Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 Mil-Dot in ADM Mount and a Harris bipod. Rugged Razor suppressor. The results were pretty good, especially considering that this rifle is not free floated and has a mil-spec trigger. Even better when you consider that I'm not a good shooter!

Thanks for reading.
Alex

 

[Nomosendero]

It's a fun set up!

 

[ShtrRdy]

That sounds great!!

 

[tylerw02]

That standard deviation needs to shrink. Question for you, are you using a crimp die?

 

[ntsqd]

Simple enough to float the barrel if you want to. Can either use something like Compass Lake's NM float tube to keep it looking exactly like it does, or go with the more typical floating hand guard.

 

[436]

All,

I have been loading for handguns for the last year, but just tried my first rifle handloads yesterday.

I was shooting 77 grain Sierra MK using Federal brass, A2520, and CCI SRP. I started at the minimum charge and worked up to .3 grains under max. A2520 is a temperature sensitive powder and it was a 90 degree day with 70% humidity in Indiana.

The final load ended up being the most accurate, but all of them hovered around an inch. I called the last shot as a flyer. Final charge velocity averaged 2840 FPS with a standard deviation of 26. This load was fairly warm but I saw no signs of over pressure. This was faster than the IMI 77 gr razor core by 100 FPS, and also slightly faster than the Black Hills MK262 load in the same rifle

The rifle is my FN 20" M16 style upper that I bought last year. I slapped it on a Aero M16A4 clone lower. Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 Mil-Dot in ADM Mount and a Harris bipod. Rugged Razor suppressor. The results were pretty good, especially considering that this rifle is not free floated and has a mil-spec trigger. Even better when you consider that I'm not a good shooter!

Thanks for reading.
Alex

It seems to be working for you. I also use the M262 Mod-1 OTM ( Sierra 77gr w/cannelure) with AA2520 clone hand load in my 16" inch AR15 one of the early Nam clones, and the accuracy is outstanding with the combo, plus I'm in 2750 fps vel range all day long.
I assume you're using the Mod-0 load because you didn't mention cannelure. Cheers.

 

[aOWENc]

That standard deviation needs to shrink. Question for you, are you using a crimp die?

Whoops, I was thinking one thing and typed the other. My extreme spread was 26 and my standard deviation was 12 fps. I am using the Lee Factory Crimp die.

 

[aOWENc]

It seems to be working for you. I also use the M262 Mod-1 OTM ( Sierra 77gr w/cannelure) with AA2520 clone hand load in my 16" inch AR15 one of the early Nam clones, and the accuracy is outstanding with the combo, plus I'm in 2750 fps vel range all day long.
I assume you're using the Mod-0 load because you didn't mention cannelure. Cheers.

View attachment 281907

I am using the version with the cannelure. My brother is working up a load for the Noslers without the cannelure and is having very good results.

2750 FPS with the 16 incher is moving. Is this load over max? Awesome looking rifle by the way!!

 

[436]

I am using the version with the cannelure. My brother is working up a load for the Noslers without the cannelure and is having very good results.

2750 FPS with the 16 incher is moving. Is this load over max? Awesome looking rifle by the way!!

Nope... it's a tested load, however... it is a max charge for the bullet weight using the L.C and IWI case with CCI 41 primer.

 

[aOWENc]

Nope... it's a tested load, however... it is a max charge for the bullet weight using the L.C and IWI case with CCI 41 primer.

What is your OAL? I loaded these to 2.255", but my brother has been having better luck with the Noslers at 2.260"

 

[436]

What is your OAL? I loaded these to 2.255", but my brother has been having better luck with the Noslers at 2.260"

I believe the 77gr Nosler may have been one of Black Hills' first bullets in the M262 or perhaps they got a little low on Sierra at one point and then used them as a fill-in... My OAL is 2.260" respectively based on the bullet cannelure and proper case trim length for the clone cartridge.