AeroE 52gr SMK/RE15 accuracy load. Initial tests

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I don’t know where it originated, the Hide, ARFCOM, etc but a forum user with the name AeroE came up with a load using 52gr SMKs and 27.0gr of Reloder 15, and basically said if your groups suck, it’s either the rifle or the nut behind the rifle.

I heard about this load a few years back and sort of tucked it away for future reference, but never did anything with it. I had a Mossberg 5.56mm MVP Varmint with 24” 1:9 twist barrel that loved my Reloder10x/52gr SMK combo and felt no need to reinvent the wheel. Well, I sold that rifle and realized a month or two ago that I had over half a box (2-300ct) 52gr Sierra Match Kings left at my bench. I decided to load up 20 rounds of the AeroE load.


I used a 6” drop tube due to the quantity of powder/case capacity. I went with regular CCI 400
small rifle primers, and the Federal brass I used filled up almost to the neck even with the drop tube:

mbZxIfL.jpg



I loaded them to 2.250” per the load spec. I vary the case type and primer because I don’t have Win cases or Rem primers.

Rifle One
Specs:
Colt M4 Carbine lower / Innovative Arms WAR Upper / Rainier Enhanced Nitride BCG
16” Rainier Ultramatch (Shilen) barrel, 1:8 twist & midlength gas / Samson Evo 12.3” rail
CMC Flat 3.5lb trigger, Griffin Recce 5 Mod 3 can w/ flash hider, Vortex 2.5-10x32 FFP HS-LR scope

I shot a five round group through the rifle and adjusted the scope just a tad, and shot a ten round group

HFcaafo.jpg



Rifle Two

With only five rounds left, I figured what the heck, let’s give this rifle a shot and see how the faster twist does with these smaller bullets

Specs:
Rainier forged Upper/Lower with Fortis Mfg Rev II Mlok, 16” Rainier Ultramatch Mod 2, fluted, 1:7.5 twist, intermediate gas, with Griffin tapered mini brake mount & Optimus Micro suppressor
Rainier Enhanced Nitride BCG, Geissele SSA-E trigger, Trijicon ACOG TA11J (3.5x35 w/ 223 crosshairs)

mKsHdRQ.jpg



I’d say this load is a winner. I’ve seen this averaging around 3200fps from a 20” barrel, so with the suppressors, I’m willing to bet it’s between 3050-3100fps on those two rifles. I imagine out to 200 yards, these things will be fun (and cheap!)
 
Dangit! Another powder and bullet I will have to buy just to try.
 
Dangit! Another powder and bullet I will have to buy just to try.

I only did it because I had both of them on hand.

It’s a cheap but accurate round for shorter ranges that may be wasting a 77gr bullet. I’d like to test them out to 300 yards
 
yup, that load works very well.
I played around with it and it works for bullets 50-53gr.
I also tried Varget instead of RL15, but changed the OAL to 2.20 for more neck tension.
...and to hear the "crunch" better.
 
I've had pretty good luck with the Hornady 55SP out to 100 yards, but not as good as the photo. I will have to get some of the 52gn SMKs.
 
I've used Sierra 52gr/55gr loads for shooting NRA 100yd reduced matches. Quite accurate and it doesn't break the bank. I've also had good luck using Nosler 52gr bullets too, albeit with Win748 powder.
 
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