I wasn't sure to post this in the bullpup section or here, but given that it's about load development, I decided this is the place.
Background: I was trying to find some decent hand load data for the Steyr AUG, as I'd like to start using it for predator control and varminting. Scouring the net, I was unable to find significant data, so I decided to try a variety of loads. 51 rounds were loaded with 4 different bullet types, for a total of 17 rounds each.
DISCLAIMER: Use the load data below at your own risk!
As it was windy today and I don't expect absolute sub-MOA accuracy out of my AUG, all of this testing was done at 25 meters, in the prone using a bag as a rest. Wolf Gold 55gr was fired at the center of the target to confirm POA/POI. Conditions were approximately 85 degrees, 30-40% humidity, winds at 10-15mph with gusts up to 25mph.
I used LC brass, mixed of '09, '10, and '11 years, all fired about 3 times already. Resized in a Redding small base die, trimmed to 1.750". Primers are all CCI #41.
First up: Herters 45gr Soft Point flat base in a box from the 1960s. These are probably for something like a .218 Bee or .22 Hornet, given their profile is round nose. I put these in the lineup because a friend's 18" AR-15 SPR type does very well with this load. I don't have a chrono so there is no way to know what velocity this one goes at; it will be relatively mild because I don't like hot loads. With 23 grains of Accurate 2015 out of a 16" barrel, I figure it is in the realm of 3,000-3,100fps. This one didn't perform very well; I fired two groups and both were larger than an inch. The charge was powerful enough to lock back on an empty magazine.
Second up: Sierra 69gr Match King. Not much needs to be said about these; proven performers. I didn't load up enough of these for proper testing and my first time in the sitting position was poor. I fired the next group of 4 from the prone and managed to keep them under an inch, so it would seem that this is a good choice. Which is nice, because I have ~400 of them in a big box. Backed by 21 grains of Accurate 2015, I figure these are going about 2600fps out of the AUG. It wasn't enough to lock back on an empty magazine, so I may have to up the charge to get the right amount of gas.
Third up: Unknown 62gr soft point with cannelure, flat base. These were blemished bullets with little information beyond being flat based soft points. I was very surprised by the performance of these; other than a pair of flyers, these managed to stay within an inch. I've scoured the net, trying to figure out what they are, but can't seem to find them anywhere. I still have ~80 left in the box, so I can try to repeat their performance today. These were loaded with 21.5 grains of Accurate 2015, which was able to cycle the AUG but not lock back on an empty magazine. Estimated velocity of about 2,700fps.
Fourth up: 55gr boat tail ballistic tip, unknown manufacturer. These were also blemished, but seem to be similar to Nosler's 55 grain boat tail ballistic tip offering. The red tip makes me think maybe they were Hornady, but I can't seem to find any offerings from Hornady that are 55 grains, boat tailed, and ballistic tipped. These were loaded with the same charge as with the 62 grain soft points as above - 21.5 grains of Accurate 2015. Their performance wasn't terrible, but it wasn't as impressive as the SMKs nor the 62gr soft points. Like the other loads, the charge was enough to cycle the AUG but not lock back on an empty magazine. Estimated velocity of about 2,800fps.
Conclusions: For my particular AUG and in combination with the case, primers, and Accurate 2015 powder, it would appear that bullets in the 60 grain range are what it seems to prefer. Charges will likely have to be slightly hotter to ensure proper functioning in all conditions, or potentially a change of powder. As I have quite a few Nosler 55 grain ballistic tips available (my AR15 SPR type prefers that bullet), I may try altering the powder charge to see if that bullet can be made to work well enough; if not, the 69gr SMK is a decent enough bullet for most tasks I envision for the AUG.
First groups: 6 rounds of Wolf Gold, 4 rounds of 69gr SMK, 5 rounds of 45gr SP, 5 rounds of 62gr SP, and 5 rounds of 55gr BTBT.
Second groups: 6 rounds of Wolf Gold, 4 rounds of 69gr SMK, 12 rounds of 45gr SP, 12 rounds of 62gr SP, and 12 rounds of 55gr BTBT.
Background: I was trying to find some decent hand load data for the Steyr AUG, as I'd like to start using it for predator control and varminting. Scouring the net, I was unable to find significant data, so I decided to try a variety of loads. 51 rounds were loaded with 4 different bullet types, for a total of 17 rounds each.
DISCLAIMER: Use the load data below at your own risk!
As it was windy today and I don't expect absolute sub-MOA accuracy out of my AUG, all of this testing was done at 25 meters, in the prone using a bag as a rest. Wolf Gold 55gr was fired at the center of the target to confirm POA/POI. Conditions were approximately 85 degrees, 30-40% humidity, winds at 10-15mph with gusts up to 25mph.
I used LC brass, mixed of '09, '10, and '11 years, all fired about 3 times already. Resized in a Redding small base die, trimmed to 1.750". Primers are all CCI #41.
First up: Herters 45gr Soft Point flat base in a box from the 1960s. These are probably for something like a .218 Bee or .22 Hornet, given their profile is round nose. I put these in the lineup because a friend's 18" AR-15 SPR type does very well with this load. I don't have a chrono so there is no way to know what velocity this one goes at; it will be relatively mild because I don't like hot loads. With 23 grains of Accurate 2015 out of a 16" barrel, I figure it is in the realm of 3,000-3,100fps. This one didn't perform very well; I fired two groups and both were larger than an inch. The charge was powerful enough to lock back on an empty magazine.
Second up: Sierra 69gr Match King. Not much needs to be said about these; proven performers. I didn't load up enough of these for proper testing and my first time in the sitting position was poor. I fired the next group of 4 from the prone and managed to keep them under an inch, so it would seem that this is a good choice. Which is nice, because I have ~400 of them in a big box. Backed by 21 grains of Accurate 2015, I figure these are going about 2600fps out of the AUG. It wasn't enough to lock back on an empty magazine, so I may have to up the charge to get the right amount of gas.
Third up: Unknown 62gr soft point with cannelure, flat base. These were blemished bullets with little information beyond being flat based soft points. I was very surprised by the performance of these; other than a pair of flyers, these managed to stay within an inch. I've scoured the net, trying to figure out what they are, but can't seem to find them anywhere. I still have ~80 left in the box, so I can try to repeat their performance today. These were loaded with 21.5 grains of Accurate 2015, which was able to cycle the AUG but not lock back on an empty magazine. Estimated velocity of about 2,700fps.
Fourth up: 55gr boat tail ballistic tip, unknown manufacturer. These were also blemished, but seem to be similar to Nosler's 55 grain boat tail ballistic tip offering. The red tip makes me think maybe they were Hornady, but I can't seem to find any offerings from Hornady that are 55 grains, boat tailed, and ballistic tipped. These were loaded with the same charge as with the 62 grain soft points as above - 21.5 grains of Accurate 2015. Their performance wasn't terrible, but it wasn't as impressive as the SMKs nor the 62gr soft points. Like the other loads, the charge was enough to cycle the AUG but not lock back on an empty magazine. Estimated velocity of about 2,800fps.
Conclusions: For my particular AUG and in combination with the case, primers, and Accurate 2015 powder, it would appear that bullets in the 60 grain range are what it seems to prefer. Charges will likely have to be slightly hotter to ensure proper functioning in all conditions, or potentially a change of powder. As I have quite a few Nosler 55 grain ballistic tips available (my AR15 SPR type prefers that bullet), I may try altering the powder charge to see if that bullet can be made to work well enough; if not, the 69gr SMK is a decent enough bullet for most tasks I envision for the AUG.
First groups: 6 rounds of Wolf Gold, 4 rounds of 69gr SMK, 5 rounds of 45gr SP, 5 rounds of 62gr SP, and 5 rounds of 55gr BTBT.
Second groups: 6 rounds of Wolf Gold, 4 rounds of 69gr SMK, 12 rounds of 45gr SP, 12 rounds of 62gr SP, and 12 rounds of 55gr BTBT.