SmallCaliberCentral

Hey Everyone, I just want to add my inital experience with CFE223. I loaded up some 32gr NBTs in my .204 and finally got out to shoot them. Velocities were pretty good, matching Hodgdon's data within about 0.75%. I'm shooting a 24" barreled AR, so I'm pretty happy with that. Group size seemed p...

I'm really intrigued by that method. Almost like ladder test to filter through the powders and then the OCW to find the exact weight. I'm also interested in your comment about cross referencing load data. What are you looking for to determine if two powders are the same; charge weight, pressure, vel...

Thanks guys.

The OCW method sounds interesting. I was considering trying a ladder for one of the rifles, but I might try this instead.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace. ... 4529817134

Hey Guys, I'm just curious what everyone does when they develop thier loads. I'd like to compare my methods and maybe find something new to try. 1. What powder range do you typically use for the first attempt with a powder/bullet combo? I typically load a set at the min load, the max load, and three...

You should check out Duracoat. It's very easy to do yourself, and you could likely coat the whole gun in the pattern of your choice for $40-100 depending on the pattern. You can also customize it with anything you want and make it really unique. http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cate...

Hey guys, I'm interested in any results with CFE223 also. I've been using Ramshot TAC, and I've read that it's similar to CFE in that it has some bismuth mixed in to remove copper fouling. TAC is hard to find locally though, so I'm interested in seeing how the Hodgdon powder works. If it lives up th...

Hey Guys, You may have seen some previous posts from me about my new AR build in .204. Well now everything is working great and I've found a load that groups around 3/4". The only thing that I have noticed is that when the barrel heats up, it starts to string shots vertically. Shooting from a c...

Winchester has a free app for their factory loads. For handloads, I use an app called iStrelok, that is pretty good and can save up to three loads at a time. It works well for being free, but if you want to pay a little, the app called "Ballistic" is very good and only $10. I dont have it,...

Just so you know, Lee does not sell a crimp die, but they will make a custom one on request. You just have to send them two inert cartridges and I belive the cost was $30. I've had decent groups without crimping, but I crimp all my other calibers and get very good results with them. I'm pretty confi...

Lubrication was the key. I went back to the range and shot some more, and with the BCG loaded with oil, it worked great. Thanks for the advice!

Hey Everyone, I've finished building my AR and am having some reliability issues (short stroking). I think it's related to a faulty bolt carrier, but I'm still hashing that out. My question for everyone is how particular are all of your AR's with different ammo? I've been shooting Federal 32gr ammo ...

Thanks Guys, there is some excellent advise there! I was so focused on charge weight and bullet depth that I wasnt even thinking about front rest or parallax issues. Nobody happens to remember the conclusions from the article in Varmint Hunter Mag do they? Maybe I need to get a subscription... Does ...

Hi All, I just finished putting together my AR in .204 and I'm ready to start load development. In the past I've shot 5 different charge weights and taken the best group and used it since I'm happy with 3/4" groups for a big game rifle. But for a prairie dog rifle, I'd like to get more precise,...