The 120-123 class won’t group what is going on

[mdram]

Ok the 123 smk CBTO length is 1.755 and COAL length is 2.355. So for sure that bullet was off the lands

2.355? do you singe feed an ar? max mag is 2.26, or is it a bolt?

[Dt219]

Sorry that’s the coal to the lands with that bullet . So I know where they are. Not what I had them loaded to. It is an AR

[DIANEB]

Dt219, Have you tired Accurate 2520 powder? I've been having very good luck with it... I'm loading the SST 123's with 28.5 gr of 2520 and CCI 450 primers getting groups close to 1/2" at 100 yards...
Also getting good groups with the 130 ELD's and 27.5 gr of 2520...

[Dt219]

No ma’am I don’t have any of that powder, That can name off the top of my head I have, benchmark, h322, h335, h380, reloder 10x, reloder 15, tac, varget, xbr 8208, ar comp, imr 3031,4064,4166, xterminator, cfe 223, and H4895 to play with. I guess that’s all for the Grendel lol. I did get a couple boxes of sst

[Kosh65]

You might want to try the H4895. Other than the Lvr and CFE………..the other powders that you have listed (IMO) are probably a bit too fast burning for the 123 class pills.
I also would start @ .020” off the lands and work back from there @ .002” increments.
Do you have the room to shoot greater distances? The longer boat tail bullets can be finicky to stabilize (compared to flat based) @ shorter distances.

[Dt219]

And I have shooters world match, and LVR powder also, I can shoot 200

[StoneHendge]

Maybe your barrel just doesn't like Hornady bullets. None of mine do, including my JP Grendel. It didn't like the 123 SMKs very much either, but it loves the 123 gr Lapua Scenar, which is currently my all time favorite bullet. There's been a decent supply of them coming in too. You've got a caviar barrel - serve it some champagne.

[Dt219]

I’d love to run across some 120 noslers or sierras some place.

[mdram]

how about some 129's? https://www.bluecollarreloading.com/prod...07a7&_ss=r

[DIANEB]

I've also had good results with H322 and the 120ELD 25.4 gr and 25.7 gr...

[Cal]

I know this thread is several months old, but just wondering?

Hey DT,
Any updates?

[Dt219]

Update is I have bought a lilja from lilja and a criterion from mark at PF. I honest to god believe I have bought 2 duds. I can get the lilja to group 85-90gr pills but that’s it. I would love to ship either upper off and let someone see what they could do with it. It might be me but I doubt it. Very seriously considering selling them both and my magneto-speed and buying a Odin or Wilson combat

[Jake TN]

I've also had good results with H322 and the 120ELD 25.4 gr and 25.7 gr...

Same here with H322 and 120 sierra matchkings. Decent with the old Amaxs as well.

[Cal]

The other day, Midsouth shooter supply had 123gr Lapua Scenar for about $46 per 100.
I do have some of those coming because I'm trying to find what my Gren likes.
With factory 123gr American Gunner it's throwing about a 3-3.5 inch group.
I've loaded up 123 SST's for the range so I'll see how it does hopefully in about 2 weeks.

[BowChamp]

The other day, Midsouth shooter supply had 123gr Lapua Scenar for about $46 per 100.
I do have some of those coming because I'm trying to find what my Gren likes.
With factory 123gr American Gunner it's throwing about a 3-3.5 inch group.
I've loaded up 123 SST's for the range so I'll see how it does hopefully in about 2 weeks.

123gr Lapua Scenar shoots very well in my AR Grendels.

[myrifle]

Ok I'm real late to the part but here is my advice.

If you follow it you will find good to great groups if you dont well you get more of what you already got.

First your barrels are too shelf, your handloading practices are the issue.

Fix number one. Grab some arcomp
Fix number two get a chronograph
Fix number three get the hornady coal measuring tools
Fix number four get a micro meter seating die like a foster or Redding.

Take whatever bullet you want and start it 20 thousands off the lands OR just short enough to properly run from your mags.

Pick a starting load and do one round per .2 tenth charge and work up too listed book max, run them over the chronograph and you will see a charge that stands out velocity wise that says hey your now in high pressure, it will be out of place for the deviation standard from one charge to the next. That's your rifles max charge.

Now go back and look at the lower charges, you will see some that doesnt have much change per charge weight diffrence. Take those loads and load 10 of each. Go back and shoot them over the chronograph. Take the load that gives you the tightest sd/es numbers.

Now go back and load 10 more just like them and load 5 more at a step down 5 thousands at a time till your 20 thousands shorter then your first 10. Shoot those over the chronograph for groups.

In those sets of rounds your will find your load and seating depth and the groups you are looking for.

There is no free lunches, you have to put in the work with the proper tools and small changes too get a great load.

Some more tips. It's a ar15 not a bolt action, you cant limp wrist it you have to hold the gun firm and drive it.

I didnt see anything about the gun itself but it could be you need a better trigger, maybe a better setup at the bench aka better bags and no bipod.

Hope this helps. A5BLASTER out.

[HKGuns]

If you can shoot the lighter stuff well that certainly takes "you" out of the equation, so I don't understand all of those questions.

I'd look at adjusting seating depth first. It seems to be something between the bullets, barrel and chamber that is causing the difference with the larger bullets.

[LRRPF52]

Update is I have bought a lilja from lilja and a criterion from mark at PF. I honest to god believe I have bought 2 duds. I can get the lilja to group 85-90gr pills but that’s it. I would love to ship either upper off and let someone see what they could do with it. It might be me but I doubt it. Very seriously considering selling them both and my magneto-speed and buying a Odin or Wilson combat

So you have already proven that the barrels are capable of shooting and that you are capable of shooting the group sizes you desire, but only with 85-90gr.

Are you free-recoiling or applying larger caliber gas gun fundamentals?

That’s usually the big separator in my experience.

You don’t have to try hard to get 85-9gr bullets to shoot well in a capable barrel in the AR-15/6.5 Grendel.

Step up to heavier weights, and the rifle will have more recoil-induced positional degradation from shot-to-shot if you don’t manage it well.

You need to apply very firm, rearward pressure into your torso or wherever the butt of the stock is for you.

I use a rear bag and "settle the gun” into the position before I break any shots. As I settle the gun, I watch the sight picture until it consistently settles into the Point of Aim where I want it, and doesn’t easily depart outside of that place on the target.

Did you mention what trigger you’re using?

[Dt219]

I do pull the gun into my shoulder every time I’m on the bench. I use a rear bag and a front rest, I don’t know technically what’s it’s called but it has 3 legs and a center stem with threads for adjustment and it has a leather sand bag on top for the guard to rest on. This lower has a larue mbt2s trigger installed. If you think you can make it sing I’d love to ship it along with components so I would know hey it’s me or my barrel that has problems