w748 in ar 15

[GBEAR1]

I have found that w748 and sierra 69hpbtmk bullets are great in my ar15. However I was told that because 748 is a ball powder it can cause excessive fouling and jamming problems. Supposedly it was ball powder that caused all the problems with the early m16s in Viet Nam. Is there any truth that the modern day w 748 is a problem powder in the ar 15? Thanks

[Parashooter]

Is there any truth that the modern day w 748 is a problem powder in the ar 15?

Not much. The excess calcium carbonate responsible for early gas-system problems was reduced long ago.

[Mr. X]

W748 is no problem in your AR. I've shot many, many rounds with a 55 grain bullet and a charge of 25.0 of 748.

The modern W748 you buy is not the same stuff used with bad effects in 'Nam -- I don't have the link handy but I just read an article on the 'Net indicating that the powder they had problems with was a specific factory lot of BL(C)-2, not 748.

[Litt'le Lee]

but the new 748 I bought is coated like WC 846 and will increase barrel life

[rider]

W748 is a long-time favorite powder for the AR15. There are newer and more expensive powders now, but 748 is still popular for the AR. I still use it for 55 and 62gr loads.

[Hip's Ax]

I shoot WW748 exclusively in the reduced course matches, I use it with the 52 gr Sierra Match King at 100 yards and with the 69 gr SMK at 200/300 reduced. Shoots great in my Armalite NM.

Yes, the rifle is more dirty after firing WW748 than it is after I shoot my 200/300/600 yard load which is Varget with 77's and 80's but I've never had a problem.

Just as information, I do clean the rifle after every use and almost never shoot over 100 rounds at a time.

[jjrothWA]

using 68grSMK for over the course.

You're going have to work up loads for your's, mine COULD be bad for yours.

[Mr. X]

jjroth, you're using 68 grainers OTC? Am I correct that you mean at 600 as well? I ask because the trend is toward 77 and 80 grainers at 600. I am wondering how those 68s shoot for you at 6. I like the 68s at 200 and 300 very much but I have never tried them at 6 because I just assumed that they were too light... should I try them in slow prone at 6?

[jjrothWA]

had no problem.

Use to shoot Camp Perry & Washtenaw in SE Michigan.
Yes wind would give me a fit but preferred to keep ammo the same.

Have remainder of first lot of Sierra's 80's when first sold, but wonder what a
I bought them for. Seemed more bother that worth (to me).

Will try the 70's grainer, when I get the chance but not now.
Am using HBAR with NATO chamber, not Wylde.

Al loads in mil-surp brass

[John Kepler]

jjroth, you're using 68 grainers OTC? Am I correct that you mean at 600 as well? I ask because the trend is toward 77 and 80 grainers at 600. I am wondering how those 68s shoot for you at 6. I like the 68s at 200 and 300 very much but I have never tried them at 6 because I just assumed that they were too light... should I try them in slow prone at 6?

A little "Anceint History". 1993, Rodriguiz Range, 600 yd Stage, National Trophy Individual Match. I was shooting with a MUCH younger Army MTU, and future multi-time National Highpower-Service Rifle Champion Sgt. Kevin McMahon.....Kevin was one of the AMU "Beta-Testers" of the AR in XC Competition in the days BEFORE the 80 gr Sierra. Kevin was down 2 coming onto the 600 yd stage. His first two shots were 10's...then he started running a string of X's. Just before his 7th shot, the wind picked up a touch...not much, just a touch that I probably wouldn't have done much about with either my .30 cal or an 80 gr .223....maybe "shaded" the shot a touch, but not enough wind for a "click".....Kevin corrected and blew a "7" out at 3 o'clock. Kevin justifiably had an unrepeatable comment, checked the wind again, cranked in what I thought was an inordinant amount of sight, and shot a close 9 again at 3 o'clock. Kevin again checked the wind, added yet more rear sight, and finished the string "Double Clean" for a 196-16X....one point too low to win the match! The 7 and the 9 in a slight wind increase were the price you paid for shooting 69's at 600 with an elite-level shooter.

The next year, the Sierra 80 was available, the sling was off the barrel, and IIRC, Kevin won the NTI (might have been Toby in 94 and Kevin in 95)!