Handloads for an AR 15

[shotgunner]

I just bought a Bushmaster AR, with a 24" heavy barrel. It really shoot, 1/2" groups are not unusual. I have loaded 60 grain Hornadys and MR 223, yes this is old stock powder. I use a Dillon press and want powders that meter well. Any input would be appreciated. Shotgunner

[Graybeard]

In the .223 I use all of these and all meter well.

AA2230, AA2460, AA2520, W748, H335, H322, BL-C2. Somewhere along the line with one of them you should be able to find an accurate load and get high velocity as well. I actually have no favorite among them and use all to see what works best in any given rifle.

Varget is another good one but does not meter nearly so well.

[shotgunner]

Hello Greybeard, I see that like me you have been motivated to get an AR 15 and shoot it. I had bought a Mini 14 a few years ago and intended to upgrade it, the election got me off my rear end. I have a lot of H 322 and will give it a try. I seem to be an expert at buying gunpowder from old stock or estate sales,  and have been shooting for years with powders made in the 70s and 80s. Stored properly they seem to be fine. I will be forced to replace it soon and will have the chance to try some new propellents. I have a lot of IMR 4198, but would have to load it single stage. Have you loaded anything heavier then 60 grain? Shotgunner

[Hairtrigger]

Assuming you are talking 100 yards when you say 1/2" groups... Why mess up a good thing?
It seems obvious that your powder measure is metering your powder atleast half decently

[shotgunner]

I was just looking for loads that worked for other people. I have one lb of old MR 223, and I could try 2223 and it would prpbably be similar. I also wanted to hear about loads for bullets heavier then 60. I have been handloading for a long time but this the firts time I have loaded for a military style auto. And yes, I was shooting at 100 yards. Shotgunner

[Graybeard]

To date I've not loaded heavier than 55 grains in the .223. I've not yet fired any reloads thru my ARs but that is what they will likely be fed primarily. I have laid in a decent supply of factory ammo with 55 fmj bullets for them for any eventual self defense use of them and picked up a couple thousand 55 fmj bullets for reloading but I have far more lighter varmint type bullets than fmj both loaded and laying around to be loaded so they will be given a trial in the ARs. If I were gonna use it for deer hunting which is unlikley I'd use the Nosler PT or Hornady made for that use or the Barnes if I could get them to shoot accurately something I've never managed with Barnes bullets before.

[Hairtrigger]

I had real good luck with Hornady 68gr bullets in my HBar... My load book is at my office so I can't share the data at this time.

[Skip_B]

If I load them on the Lee Turret, Varget is the powder I use. It is a great powder for these rifles. Clean and causes enough pressure to operate the gas system. There are some .223 loads that may not. Be sure to check the rifle the data was fired in. If a bolt action it may not work in the AR platform. Just a suggestion.

I also shoot 69gr HPBT out of mine. They give a similar type of result at 100yrds.
The load I use is in the middle of the data from the Hodgdon website. I am switching to BLC(2) so I can load them more consistantly on my Dillon XL650.

Haven't shot any yet. I'll have to post when I do.