preferred powders for reloading AR-15s

I started with a 8lb keg of IMR4895 a few years ago and have moved into my several more kegs. I have yet to open the first of two pounds of my second .223 choice of Varget. I have heard several customers as my LGS talk to the virtues of 8208XBR.

I dont load much .223 and all of it is for plinking. It meters well and cycles my AR rifle well in all bullet weights.

I use IMR4895 for 30-30 as well so I would second the props for it as a good all around powder.

WIN748 for 62gr plinking loads. Alliant AR-COMP for my match rifle loads (NRA/CMP service rifle)

I use Varget.....IMR 3031.....Load on single Stage Press...works for me.

I load on a single stage press using either RL-15 or Ramshot X-Terminator.

Another vote for Varget.

I like H335. It meters well and gives good velocities.

I've loaded with both CFE223 and H335, both meter well and I've gotten good groups with both loading 55gr FMJ and 60gr SP. I just started using Reloader 15, first two efforts with it made me happy, I think I like it!

Imr3031 works great for me,

for the AR I like H335 with a CCI #41 NATO primer

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Ditto, I'm using 55gr Hornady soft points and 25.0gr H335, getting about 2,800 FPS out of a 16 inch barrel.

Also my .30-30 likes H335, and I like it when I can use the same components for multiple uses...

My number 2 choice is CFE223, number 3 choice IMR 4198

David4516 said:

Ditto, I'm using 55gr Hornady soft points and 25.0gr H335, getting about 2,800 FPS out of a 16 inch barrel.

Also my .30-30 likes H335, and I like it when I can use the same components for multiple uses...

My number 2 choice is CFE223, number 3 choice IMR 4198

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Can you elaborate on the H335 30-30 loading? Bullet types, accuracy, velocity??? Compared to which other powders? I'm now using IMR3031 or LVR in the 30-30.

3031, Reloder 7 (with 55gr or lighter bullets), Reloder 10

I use all the above with CCI 41 primers. All have given good results so far. I just started reloading this cartridge myself, not too long ago

Can you elaborate on the H335 30-30 loading? Bullet types, accuracy, velocity??? Compared to which other powders? I'm now using IMR3031 or LVR in the 30-30.

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I load 170gr flat points (Hornady or Remington Core-Lokts) with 30.0gr H335 in my .30-30s.

My .30-30 rifles are my "brush guns" and as such I don't really shoot them for groups, so I can't tell you about accuracy other than it's minute of paper-plate at 100 yards while shooting off hand. This is with Winchester model 94 rifle.

My dad and I choreographed (edited to add: auto-correct you're killing me LOL) various .30-30 recipes years ago (I think I was still in high school at the time), he kept all the data in a binder that I don't have access to at the moment. So I can't quote you an exact velocity (think it was about 2,000 FPS give or take a little?). What I can say is that H335 out preformed most the other powders we tried in terms of velocity.

My Dad prefers to shoot 150gr in his .30-30 I think he uses 35.0gr H335 for that bullet weight, which seems on the hot side to me. I'm happy with the lower velocity 170s

Found a link for it, here is my .30-30 bullet of choice:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...-winchester-308-diameter-170-grain-soft-point

Also have tried and liked these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/41...ain-flat-nose-box-of-100?cm_vc=ProductFinding

And to get back on topic, this is that I've been using in my .223:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/11...ire-point-with-cannelure?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Anyway if you reload for .30-30 odds are you can just use the same powders in .223 they seem to compliment one another (at least that has been my experience). See attached load data...

JimGun: I have been loading for the 223 for many years and my Son and I have several AR`s and Bolt Guns in 223. The only powder I have really used in years for our 223 is IMR4198. And We prefer 52gr BTHP Match Bullets in Speer, Hornaday, or Sierra what ever I can find when we need them, 50gr V-Max, 52gr A-Max, with 21gr`s of IMR4198 and Win SRP`s. All of our 223 shoot this load under an inch at a 100yds from a bench. And some of our 223 rifles will shoot this load 1/2 inch or better at 100yds from a bench. When we were able to find it we bought several 8 lb jugs of IMR4198, Varget, and WIN231 for our handguns. I have yet to try the new 53gr Hornady bullet but a friend of mine is using it with the same 21grs of IMR4198 and he says it works just great for Him in His Bolt Gun. That new Hornaday bullet is a 53gr V-Max I belive, He is using. Another friend of mine uses H335 in His 223 AR15`s and Bolt Guns and it works extremely well for Him. Good Luck To You:
ken

I'm not a high end super shooter. I like to hit what I shoot at...like every shooter on this board. So far, I haven't tried a powder that didn't give pretty good results out to 200 yds. Yes, I worked up my loads to find the charge weight/bullet combo that did best...but all seemed to group just fine for me...once I did my homework.

I'm not into any competitions so I'm not talking "gilt edge" accurate ammo...just good stuff. Some groups have been under 1"...not all.

So, all I'm suggesting is lots of powders will give very good results if you work up your loads. Thats the fun of reloading!

Mark