[SilentVectorX]

So far with my .223 and .308 reloading, all I have accomplished is making decent, reliable ammo that costs far less than factory. Now I'd really like to start wringing out some accuracy! My problem is that I just can't shoot well enough with irons, and I don't have a good shooting rest.

I'm under the impression that a high magnification scope, and a good set of bags is necessary to reliably guage what the rifle & load is capable of, versus the shooter. The goal would then be to develop a reasonably accurate load, then practice to eliminate shooter error.

My rifle is a Noveske N4 Light 14.5" 1/7 with standard foregrip and a Magpul UBR stock. The UBR seems like it would be a real pain to find a rear bag that it would ride well in. Then again, it's just 223 so maybe recoil shouldn't be enough to move it appreciably anyway?

So my question is, given my current gear, what would you recommend at a minimum to be able to develop a reasonably accurate load?

[Boxerglocker]

What bullet are you using and what sort of distance for accuracy are you wanting to accomplish? 1 MOA at 100 or 300yards?
I would agree a scope and perhaps a bi-pod might assist in reaching your goals.

[SilentVectorX]

I have Nosler 77gr BTHP's and Hornady 75gr BTHP's. My powders are Ramshot Xterminator, and Ramshot TAC. I would like to hit 1 MOA @ 100yds with the heavy bullets, even though I realize they're overkill at that range. I think I will try Montana Gold's new 50gr BTHP soon as well. I want to build ammo that is good for USPSA and decent for short course position shooting.

[sig357fan]

Scoping your rifle will help with being more precise, which should make for better groups to help in determining which load is more accurate.

Keep in mind you’ll need to fit the target to the magnification at the range you wish to shoot at, an example of this would be using a 1” dot at 100 yards with a high magnification scope would work well but using the same 1” dot at 100 yards with a 4x power scope won’t work as well.

For lower magnification scopes I use colored paper/plastic plates, the color makes for good contrast between the plate and the background and I align the point in the reticle where the cross hairs step down from thick to thin on the edge of the plate.

Using a piece of paper punched for a three ring binder behind the plate will give you a way to record info about the load and, when kept in a three ring binder, will give you a quick reference for load development. -FYI- plastic plates tend to leave small fragments of the plastic in the paper, not a big deal but something to be aware of.

In regards to your stock I would be more concerned with “cheek weld”, using a higher magnification scope generally means a larger objective lens which means taller scope rings which means your cheek is higher off the stock. See if Magpul makes a cheek rest for your stock, something you may want to look into.

Another concern with the AR platform is using a high cap mag on the bench, you’ll be higher off the bench and won’t be able to “get down in it”, or rest as much of your upper body on the bench. Using a lower capacity mag or single loading without a mag would help.

As for what I would do, I’d support the rear of the hand guard as close to the front of the lower receiver as possible with a wide bag, getting as low to the bench as I could, A squeeze bag under the pistol grip to adjust for elevation and my chest and arms in contact with the bench, pull the stock into my shoulder, breath and squeeze.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results.

sig357fan

[SilentVectorX]

Thanks for the tips! I can shoot from positions fairly well but I never had instruction on bench shooting. Now I know what to look for. I also really like the 3 ring binder idea. Should have some results this weekend.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by SilentVectorX

So far with my .223 and .308 reloading, all I have accomplished is making decent, reliable ammo that costs far less than factory. Now I'd really like to start wringing out some accuracy! My problem is that I just can't shoot well enough with irons, and I don't have a good shooting rest.

I'm under the impression that a high magnification scope, and a good set of bags is necessary to reliably guage what the rifle & load is capable of, versus the shooter. The goal would then be to develop a reasonably accurate load, then practice to eliminate shooter error.

My rifle is a Noveske N4 Light 14.5" 1/7 with standard foregrip and a Magpul UBR stock. The UBR seems like it would be a real pain to find a rear bag that it would ride well in. Then again, it's just 223 so maybe recoil shouldn't be enough to move it appreciably anyway?

So my question is, given my current gear, what would you recommend at a minimum to be able to develop a reasonably accurate load?

You don't really need a scope, many good shooters can do great work w/ irons. A good rest is mandatory for getting the most out of any rifle, handguns too. Get couple of empty shot bags, fill em w/ sand & you have a good rear & front bag rest. Get a chunk of 6x6 for the front bag to sit on & it's about as solid as any mechanical rest. A scope would help, but it's quite possible to shoot sub 2" groups w/ irons from a rest w/ good ammo. For best results, use small targets; aim small miss small works. With an irons I shoot 4" black bulls w/ a 6:00 hold @ 100yds.