AR’s built for accuracy, let’s see them.

[MMH]

Compass Lake Engineering rifle w/ 22" Bartlein 1:7 Barrel, CLE chamber; CLE tuned mil-spec trigger; JP Adjustable gas block; YHM free float quad rail; std. A2 fixed stock
4.5-27 Vortex Razor Scope
Griffin Armaments BushWacker 46 Suppressor
Leofoto Carbon Fiber Tripod

CLE AR15 Razor Supp Tripod.jpg

[MMH]

If i were going to build something for accuracy long range, I'd be picking a bigger pill than a .223. But maybe that's just me.

I shoot mine at 1000 yards all the time. Is a .308 ballistically better - sure. Then again a 6.5 wonder-anything ( .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47 Lapua, etc.), beats a .308. Of course, you better watch out for the guy w/ a 338 Lapua, and on it goes.

I make reliable hits at 1000 w/ a 5.56. When I switch back to a .308 or 6.5 it feels like I am cheating. So, 5.56 for practice and if competing a 260 Remington.

[MMH]

Aye ya ya, read the thread title again. Never mentioned anything about long range but if you*re looking for long range you can always build a 308 or 6.5 creedmoor AR, it*s not limited to 223/5.56. Not every gun needs to be used at 1000 yds.

But a 5.56 can be shot very effectively at 1000 yards and it is great fun to do so. I shoot 75gr. ELD-M bullets over 24.0 grains of Varget. Out of my rifle this load stays comfortably supersonic at 1000 yards. No doubt a .308 or 6.5 wonder-anything will provide a ballistic advantage, but you can get great practice with an AR. Another benefit is that a 5.56 barrel lasts FAR longer than any of the 6.5 barrels.

[Rosco the Iroc]

What are your favorite reload recipes for both your 223 AR & in the 6.5 for group accuracy? What powder & bullet combos you finding work best?

I get MK262 mod 0 and 1 issued and it's great.
For practice PPU 75gr Match hits a bit lower but holds groups and the wind as well as the 262 and in non panic times is very nicely priced.

[guncollector]

AR 556 SS.jpg

Aero Precision Lower- Rise Armament trigger & Leopold Mark AR 6-18 40mm scope.

[West Chester]

But a 5.56 can be shot very effectively at 1000 yards and it is great fun to do so. I shoot 75gr. ELD-M bullets over 24.0 grains of Varget. Out of my rifle this load stays comfortably supersonic at 1000 yards. No doubt a .308 or 6.5 wonder-anything will provide a ballistic advantage, but you can get great practice with an AR. Another benefit is that a 5.56 barrel lasts FAR longer than any of the 6.5 barrels.

What is your velocity at the muzzle to stay super at 1000 yards?

[General Geoff]

According to Hornady's own ballistic chart generator, you'd need to push their 75gr ELD Match bullet to 2900 fps in order to stay supersonic out to 1,000 yards.

trajectory.jpg

[West Chester]

The calculations show it's possible but 24gr would be a compressed max load for 223 in an AR.

Just curious about actual real world results not just book data

[DavidH]

2800fps will keep you just above super sonic at 1K yards. Which is what his 24gr of Varget is gonna produce, more or less.

I use JBM Ballistic calculator & G7 Coefficient instead of G1. (More real world)

[DavidH]

I do agree with him. The 223 in an AR is super fun to try tapping a gong at 1K. Of course if I really want to make it easier, I*ll go to my bench rifle & 260Rem loads. 140gr SMK*s or VLD*s over 42.5gr of Reloader17. Around 2900fps (just shy), and supersonic just past 1400yds & will tag a Mile! Not always, but neither does 300WM. A Mile is difficult..I don*t care who ya are! More difficult for me. LOL!

Although I*m not gonna comment on using the term *Reliable hits* at 1000yds with 223. Could be different thinking on *Reliable* I guess.