Need help loading for AR-15

[Varmintnut260]

After many months of waiting I finally received my RRA ar-15. It's a elite car a4 .223/5.56 with a chrome lined 16in barrel (1-1/9twist). I'm trying to work up a load with hornady .55gr sp w/ cannelure. I'm looking for is anyone out there that uses these bullets, and what powder, if at all possible what the min load for the powder. I'm more concerned with accuracy then speed with a 223. Starting loads are fast enough for me most of the time.

[Dee]

I like XX grains of 748 powder for 3300fps. Shoots good in my M4. Been loadin if for years.

Dee

From what I could find that load was WAY over max for the 223 with a 55g bullet .

stimpy

[stimpylu32]

260

One of the best grouping loads that I have found for MY 223's is a CCI standard small rifle primer under 25.5 grains of IMR 4895 and a 55g Hornady bullet .

This load is not the fastest , however it does shoot consistent 1/2" groups @ 100 yards if I do my part .

stimpy

[rg1]

  25.9 up to 26.4 grains of Winchester 748 or 23.2 to 24 grains of Hodgdon H335. With H335 you can work up to 25 grains. I use RP 7 1/2 primers, LC, RP, or WCC cases. All the above are good safe loads and shoot accurately with Hornady's 55 SP in different AR's. My favorite load with 748 is 26.4 grains.

[bikerbeans]

Hi,

Working up load for my kids AR-15 right now using Hornday 55 grn FMJ-BT.  I ordered a 1,000 of these bullets are there were some of the 55 grn SP mixed in.  I loaded the SPs and they fired the small as the FMJs. 

THis AR is 1 to 8 twist.  Using RamShot TAC powder and CCI small rifle primers, once fired military brass.  Have tested loads from 22.8 to 25.9 grains.  All loads tested cycle the AR 15 just fine.  Loads in the 24 to 24.5 grain range seem the most accurate but this is a very early conclusion.  I am using a taper crimp that I don't like and am waiting for the Lee Factory Crimp die to show up.

Bikerbeans

[Varmintnut260]

Thanks guys

Anyone use BL-C(2) or varget, with their AR?

[sk330lc]

Thanks guys

Anyone use BL-C(2) or varget, with their AR?

Have used Both Powders In both My RRA's    I love the BL-C(2) With the 36gr Barnes Varmint grenade.  I've Used Varget With Mostly Heavier Bullets Like 69gr and 75gr Match Bullets..    
AA2230 Is My powder of choice with 55gr and 60gr Pills..   My second choice is H355 with 55gr and 60gr Pills.
My 1-9 twist Barrels Love the 60gr V-max and the 55gr Hornady sp with can.  With AA2230
By the way Stay with Rem71/2 Primers Or the CCI milspec..   Have had problems with WSR primers 

[Varmintnut260]

I've got a lot of CCI SM mag primers too, but was wondering if they're "too much" for an AR?

[223fan]

I use a mid range varget load with a 65gr. game king and mag primers in my ar-15 and have never had a problem.

[sk330lc]

I have never used Mag primers for the 223 rem.    I would say the cups are thick enough you shouldn't have any trouble. Maybe someone else can Chime in as well..    The 65 gr BTSP Sierra Bullet is a good one.  I have a load using H355 and Rem 71/2 Primers. That My 20" RRA loves.

[rickt300]

My experience with ball powders is that they need a certain pressure level to burn as clean as I like so possibly for your application an extruded powder like 3031, 4895 or 4198 would be better for your needs. I like 748 but have never gone as high as 30.0 grains with a 55 grain bullet. H335 is a pretty "flashy" powder but it can shoot very nicely. I have recently run some trials with AA2520 and am not so happy with it's somewhat dirty burning or it's temperature sensitivity. Accuracy is good though.  I would say I have shot more IMR 3031 thru my 223/5.56 rifles than any other powder, mostly because it works so well in many different cartridges and just fine in the 223.

[Varmintnut260]

I tried several loads of 748 today, starting from the min up to about 2grs above min. I'm going to try some again when the weather changes, as well as some h335. For some reason H335 has worked everything I own from 223 up to 308.