Ok, I need some help getting my Anderson 223 to shot. I have tried enough different loads that I feel I should have found a good load (1" @ 100). I do not have problems with loads for my bolts, which include 06's-3, 223's-2, 7x57, 7x57AI, 300WM-2, 280,25-06,7-08. So what am I doing wrong with the AR??? Gun has a 1-7 twist. Thanks Daniel

First, what are you doing, so we can figure it out? Loads, bullets, reloading info, powder, etc...? What components are you using? Mixed head stamp brass or all the same brass?

Are you applying a crimp or increasing neck tension to compensate for possible bullet movement during chambering?
Try measuring a round before chambering and then re-measuring after carefully extracting. The difference in length might suprise you.
This could be a contributing factor to your accuracy or lack of.

Chad, Same brass-Winchester. Have tried tried 77 gr Nosler Competition, Nos 60 gr Bal. Tip, Midway's repackaged 62 gr (whatever they are). Varget, RL15, Benchmark. Loads have come from Reloading books, powder in the 25 grain range +/- 2 grains. Varied seating depth.

What are the impacts doing?

Are you noticing muzzle flash?

Have you chronographed them?

What powder charges have you tested, and with which bullets?

1. Shooting paper targets @ 100 yds.

2. I have not seen any muzzle flash.

3. No chrono.

4. as stated above in previous post, have tried several powders ( RL15, Varget & Benchmark) with loads from different load manuals. Most loads have been in the 25 gr +/- 2 grains range. none of the loads seem hot nor weak.

5. Tested 4 loads today all with 24 gr of Benchmark but with different seating depths in 5 shot groups plus 2 groups with same load of Benchmark & Nos. bal. tips.

Maybe I am expecting to much, it is a standard build with Anderson receiver. Groups have been 2-3 inches or worse. I am at wits end.

You either have a scope/ scope ring issue or a upper/ barrel that has quality issues.
Might try a different scope from a known AR that shoots if that’s not it make that barrel a tomato stake and get another.

Is it an Anderson barrel? They're not known for being really accurate.

I'd suggest trying CFE 223, AR Comp, or IMR 8208 XBR with some Sierra 77 bullets since you're using a 1:7 twist barrel.

If you can't get those powders to work, it may be time to upgrade the barrel.

Tenyeargone, What kind of groups should I get with powders and bullets you suggest with the barrel? Not sure barrel brand but I will check with builder. I did not build it. What brand barrel do you suggest?

That's kind of hard to say. I suggested those powders because I've seen them work with a variety of bullets and barrels. The first choice to test of those would be CFE 223. It meters really well and works well with varying bullet sizes.

I'm not saying you should just start swapping out parts, but if you get to a point where you want a new barrel, either a LaRue or Columbia River Arms are great. Both are really accurate and not too expensive.

Bullets tend to be more barrel dependent than powder from what I have seen. If you have already tried 3 of each chances are you may find a bullet that may get a little better results but if your smallest is 2+ inches it’s not good odds.

I would clean the barrel really good and try the above mentioned 77 Sierra as they are pretty forgiving and accurate and if that didn’t work. Well you know.

You can't really vary the seating depth on an AR round. Seat the 77 grain at 2.250" and call it good. You certainly don't want to go deeper. The components you listed should work. More specifics would be needed to fine tune from there.

I would try a faster burning powder first. Step it up to 5.56 pressures and it will also help. The name of the game is consistency in your ammo from round to round to round. I'm not sure what powder charges you have tried when you list 25 grain +/- 2 grains. 2 whole grains of powder is a lot of variation. AR's can be finicky. Aggressive slow burning powders sometimes cause accuracy issues with their burn rate and barrel harmonics.

Ask 10yearsgone. He's the AR master for .1 moa groups!

Chad, The +/- 2 grains are what the loading manuals normally show min to max. I am using a Lyman Gen 5 measure. .1 accuracy. A lot of the loads were 23.5 to 24.5 in .2 steps. A few were some higher in the 24.6 to 25.6 range.

I plan to redo some of the loads with mag length rounds and see if that helps.

is the barrel on the AR free floated? Action face squared and barrel bedded to the action with locktite?

The powder charge is helpful, but more details are needed. Are you crimping? If so, how? Are you seating the bullets deeper than 2.250? How's your case prep? I would also try a much faster burning powder. Varget and R15 are pretty slow burning for a 16" AR. I've had some bad groups (3"-4") with a bullet, and change powder and get 1/2 moa with same bullet. It has a lot to do with the burn rate in an AR. The slower burning powders will get you good velocity, but they can be too aggressive to get to shoot well in an AR. Also, did you build/assemble this rifle?

Have you tried any factory ammo and if so how did it shoot?

kmon, I do have some factory stuff that shoots very good in my 2 bolts and I am going to try it next week when I am back in Texas.

Chad, I have not crimped any of the rounds. I started with depth at SAMMI length and went shorter by about .030 in .010 steps. Going to load some mag length ??? and see what happens. I did not build the gun, was built by stepson for me, talked with him and thinks it is an Anderson barrel and a 5.56 barrel.

Verify the 1:7 twist. If not 1:7 switch to lighter bullets made for slower twist.

Well, I made a trip to the range this morning, loaded 6 different loads with bullets seated at mag length. Had 1 group that was less than 1 inch (measured) if you don't count the one I pulled. Had a second that was close so I will load up with the 2 groups and see if they will duplicate or were both just flukes. Benchmark & 62 gr spitzer & Varget & 77 gr Nos CC. All 6 loads were somewhat hotter than any of the previous loads, not sure if that was reason for improved results or if it was because of the difference in COAL. Hope to fnd out in a week or so. Thanks for all the help. Daniel

Eliminate variables. Check the scope and mount. making sure everything is secure, I think the best thing to do is just keep trying different loads. If you continue to have problems I would recommend a new barrel. Ballistic Advantage makes a great barrel for the price. Larue barrels are also outstanding but alittle pricey. How heavy is the trigger pull on your rifle ? if its super heavy get the Larue trigger for $87.

my favorite reload right now for my 18' BA barrel and 18" larue is the 77g nosler 24.0g of varget OAL 2.250