.223 load for an AR-15

[Holiday]

I am starting to reload for my Bushmaster AR and I was wondering, what is a good load? I will be using H335 and 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips. I started out with 23.0 grains and they seem to function well, but I haven't had time to bench them and check for accuracy.

[Larry Gibson]

Holiday

For years I have used 26 gr of H335 with any 55 gr bullet in .223, 26.5 gr with the 52/53 gr HPs.  Have used this load in many bolt actions and ARs with 1-12, 1-9 and 1-7 twists.  Velocities are 3150 -3210 fps depending on barrel length.  The lighter jacketed varmint bullets many times don't hold together in the faster twist.  Haven't used the BTs in the 1-7 but they shoot fine in both my Bushmaster and Colt with the 1-9 twists barrels.

Larry Gibson

[Holiday]

Thanks, I was wondering if I could go up a little bit. I didn't want to stress the AR too much, but I want a good solid load.

[KN]

My bushmaster shorty loves 25grs of H-335 with a Sierra 55gr spitzer. One thing I learned is to segregate all my brass by headstamp when loading 223. I have a pretty big assortment of brass from picking up peoples once fired at the range. Keeping your brass segregated will improve your groups tremendously.  KN

[redial]

My standard, works in any gun .223 load is 25 of H335 and nearly any 52 match bullet. Not especially speedy, nor the best bullet for certain jobs but it ALWAYS shoots tiny little bunches.

Redial

[dharris]

I have owned and operated an AR15 for eleven years. I am on my third barrel. I have two types of loads; the ECON load and the accuracy load.

The ECON load (economy) uses bulk bullets purchased at gunshows or over the internet, usually 55 gn FMJ-BT. The powder is whatever I can get cheapest. I got a good deal on AA-2230 a few years ago and am still using that for ECON loads. It is a ball powder and meters very well. I use 24.6 gns and an OAL of 2.240. This load is about 12 cents per round and is combat accurate at 100 yards.

The accuracy load is, of course, more expensive. Bullets, usually Sierra match, 52 gns to 69gns, are about 18 cents apiece. If you bulk them you can get better deals. I use WW748 powder for accuracy loads and match seating dies. I check the finished rounds for runout with an RCBS case master. These rounds will shoot MOA with a good barrel and tight upper to lower fit.

I have learned much about the AR15 over the years. It is a good rifle when maintained and cleaned properly, key word being properly.

[ENCOREROOKIE]

try 26.5 gns of varget with a 55 gn sierra spitzer or nosler bal tip...my AR-15 loves them...only bad thing is i can't tell where im hittin at 100 yards but the one bullethole i see kinda grows a little :grin:   encorerookie