Reloading Accuracy

Reloading accuracy can be obtained by using all the techniques that I’ve shown you in my Beginners Handloading Guide. I was able to get to the range and fire about 100 rounds through my chronograph today so I could show you the results. I’m using my AR-15 with 20″ bull barrel chambered in .223 Wylde 1/8″ twist at 200 yards for all shots fired. It was about 42 degrees and somewhat windy downrange. I was using an Original Bob-Sled to single feed my ammunition; I’ve included a link at the end of this article if your interested in purchasing.

Using a new iOS app that I purchased called Ballistic AE I was able to take pictures of my groupings and let the program display the analytics. I’m extremely impressed by this app and will be doing a review of it in the next couple weeks. I’ve picked 4 sets of my best groupings; keep in mind I’m not a marksman by any means. I typically shoot 10 rounds at a target while working up loads but this time I decided to do 5 thinking that it might make using the app easier. Next time I’ll do 10.

Chronograph

AR-15: 20″ Wylde 1/8″ Bull Barrel

Groupings / Data

0.48 MOA (Click to Zoom)

Description: 25.5gr SMK #19
Notes 1: 200y
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 13.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 69.00
Temp: 44 °F
BP: 30.18 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
5    2819    1217.74  194.51
4    2886    1276.31  199.13
3    2888    1278.08  199.27
2    2866    1258.68  197.75
1    2878    1269.25  198.58
Average: 2867.4 FPS
SD: 28.4 FPS
Min: 2819 FPS
Max: 2888 FPS
Spread: 69 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.0
True MV: 2870 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

0.51 MOA (Click to Zoom)

Description: 25gr SMK #15
Notes 1: 200y
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 13.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 69.00
Temp: 43 °F
BP: 30.19 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
5    2761    1168.15  190.51
4    2767    1173.23  190.92
3    2737    1147.93  188.85
2    2756    1163.92  190.16
1    2729    1141.23  188.30
Average: 2750.0 FPS
SD: 16.2 FPS
Min: 2729 FPS
Max: 2767 FPS
Spread: 38 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 2753 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

0.53 MOA (Click to Zoom)

Description: 24gr SMK #7
Notes 1: 200y
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 13.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 69.00
Temp: 43 °F
BP: 30.21 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
5    2652    1077.73  182.99
4    2621    1052.69  180.85
3    ERROR 2
2    2688    1107.19  185.47
1    ERROR 2
Average: 2653.7 FPS
SD: 33.5 FPS
Min: 2621 FPS
Max: 2688 FPS
Spread: 67 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.0
True MV: 2656 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

0.54 MOA (Click to Zoom)

Description: 25.4gr SMK #3
Notes 1: 200y
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 0.00
Temp: 41 °F
BP: 30.25 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
5    2849    0.00    0.00
4    2829    0.00    0.00
3    2865    0.00    0.00
2    2809    0.00    0.00
1    2851    0.00    0.00
Average: 2840.6 FPS
SD: 21.8 FPS
Min: 2809 FPS
Max: 2865 FPS
Spread: 56 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 2841 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

Considering I was shooting at 200 yards, using factory brass and only the methods that I’ve shown you I consider this pretty good. I hope your groups are tight and most of all have fun!