Palmetto Projectiles test

[Shaw]

I finally got my suppressor so I have been looking for an inexpensive plinking round and decided to try the Palmetto's. I got a sample pack and loaded some rounds according to their load data listed on their site. Unfortunately the OAL of 1.95 produced some feeding failures in my AR. I've experienced that before so I got another sample pack and loaded them to 2.05 and it took care of the problem. The accuracy is pretty good as well. I've got to adjust the powder charge down since I had some rounds go supersonic at 10.3 grains of A1680. So far this round is looking pretty attractive. These loads were shot at suppressed at 50 yards with a red dot sight using a CMMG AR with a 16" WASP 1:7 barrel.



My Nosler Custom Comp loads only fair slightly better ... although I still have some work to do on them.



As a way of comparison, here is my 208gr A-Max load.

[regpark]

good data, well done!

[Shaw]

I finished doing my testing with the Palmetto's. Since 10.3 grains of A1680 would occasionally go supersonic I made some loads at 10.1, 9.9, 9.7, 9.5, and 9.3 grains. The only load that failed to lock back was 9.3 grains. 9.5 locked back and averaged 997 fps. Unfortunately, my goal of 950 fps with full function is not possible with this bullet. Still, 997 is more than acceptable and will work great for plinking. All the loads grouped within a 1.5" circle, which is much better than I would have hoped for. In fact, they grouped every bit as well as the Nosler Custom Competition blems I was also testing at the same time. It's great to find an inexpensive plinking bullet that performs this well in an AR platform!

Here is my load:

Palmetto Projectiles 203 gr powder coated bullet
OAL - 2.05"
A1680 - 9.5 gr
Primer - Remington 7 1/2
Brass - Lake City
Avg. FPS - 997
Suppressed

My rifle is a CMMG AR-15 with a WASP 1:7 Barrel.

[aaholland]

I finished doing my testing with the Palmetto's. Since 10.3 grains of A1680 would occasionally go supersonic I made some loads at 10.1, 9.9, 9.7, 9.5, and 9.3 grains. The only load that failed to lock back was 9.3 grains. 9.5 locked back and averaged 997 fps. Unfortunately, my goal of 950 fps with full function is not possible with this bullet. Still, 997 is more than acceptable and will work great for plinking. All the loads grouped within a 1.5" circle, which is much better than I would have hoped for. In fact, they grouped every bit as well as the Nosler Custom Competition blems I was also testing at the same time. It's great to find an inexpensive plinking bullet that performs this well in an AR platform!

Here is my load:

Palmetto Projectiles 203 gr powder coated bullet
OAL - 2.05"
A1680 - 9.5 gr
Primer - Remington 7 1/2
Brass - Lake City
Avg. FPS - 997
Suppressed

My rifle is a CMMG AR-15 with a WASP 1:7 Barrel.

Thanks. I am going to give some a go starting at 9.5 of 1680

[10ring1]

Tag. Looking good!

[10ring1]

Do they reliably cycle with that flat tip? And anyone who is using these types of bullets with a suppressor, you noticed any leading on the baffles?

[ratas calientes]

I loaded up a bunch of these to 2.200 OAL. Not too bright on my part. They would not chamber. Don't know what I was thinking.
I'll be pulling these bullets tomorrow.

[ratas calientes]

Do they reliably cycle with that flat tip? And anyone who is using these types of bullets with a suppressor, you noticed any leading on the baffles?

Amazingly, I have not had feeding issues with these, or even with the big fat Missouri Bullet Company 245 grain cast bullets, as long as I don't have too long of an OAL.

[rippr334]

Posted this on the FB page, but thought I'd share here too.

Got to do some load development this weekend and here are the results from a Hardened Arms 8.25" upper, with an "empty" buffer, and a suppressor. My groups were only groups of five with the LG and six with 1680 so they are far from a solid group.
It was cloudy and around 90F, around 320ft elevation. I was using Palmetto Projectiles 203gr bullets.

Using Lil Gun, OAL of 1.95:
8.2gr - Average 1098, SD 15 BHO
8.1gr- Average 1090, SD 14 BHO
8.0gr - Average 1058, SD 18 No BHO
Unfortunately, that was the lowest charge I brought.

Using 1680, OAL of 1.95:
11.0gr- Average 1000, SD 45
10.9 - Average 1018, SD 42
10.8 - Average 1007, SD 50
10.7 - Average 930, SD 40
10.6 - Average 934, SD 32
10.5 - Average 906, SD 14
10.4 - Average 874, SD 14
10.3 - Average 865, SD 36
All had BHO

[VinnAY]

Thanks for the 1680 info, the charge weights and velocities, I think 1680 is especially dirty and I get much more blow back to the face than I do with H110 so it's not my go-to powder these days. Never a feed problem with the Palmettos.