.556x45 AR loads?

[MontanaJack]

I just bought my first AR-15 and want to start handloading for it. I currently load .270,.45ACP, .40 S&W, .9mm, and .380...anyone have a good practice load? Cheeper the better, .223 or .556...havent even shot it yet and my wife is already planning another (her) AR...

 

[Reloadron]

You may want to choose your bullets based in part on your barrel twist rate? My AR types are all 1:7 and for general shooting I like the 69 gn and heavier bullets. I like Midway's Dogtown Bullets especially when they are on sale. As to powders? I like the stick powders like IMR 4895 and IMR 4064, Varget also has done well for me. Ball powders like H335 are a good choice and BL(C) 2. Really becomes a matter of you discovering what works best in your rifle.

Ron

 

[Ironicaintit]

I can't recommend cheap bullets, as I'm still working on the box of unknown brand 55 gr FMJs I inherited.....

If you don't mind extruded powders;
My favorite AR load uses IMR3031. But my most accurate AR load is with IMR4198.

 

[LoonWulf]

For plinking at short meduim range i usually load 55 or 62grn fmjs with a middling charge of 4895. Cycles the action on all the semi 556s ive had, and usually shoots into 2" @ 100....for more serious work, I like 60-65grn bullets of decent make over near max charges of 748,cfe, or blc2. 4198s another good choice i havent worked with it too much tho

 

[RPegram]

The most accurate and inexpensive load I've had so far, is a 55gr Hornady SP over 23.5 grains of H335. It wasn't quite as accurate as 25 grains, but it was good enough for short range paper punching. The bullets can be had for 7.5 cents or less if found on sale. These were shot out of a 16" barrel with 1:8 twist.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

H-4895 is my favorite powder in my AR-15, 25 grains behind either a 55 grain FMJ or a 62 grain FMJ shoots really nice at 50-100 yards. It fills the case too, right up to the neck.

The charge is the same for 69 grain bullets, 25 grains, lol.

 

[hdwhit]

Pulled or de-militarized bullets can be an inexpensive source. I have tried:

https://www.americanreloading.com/en/
http://www.evergladesammo.com/
http://rmrbullets.com/

I have had the best luck with Winchester 748, IMR 3031 and IMR 4198 powders.

For my Mini-14 with a 1:12 twist rate, the most accurate load has been 20.3 grains of IMR 4198 under a Hornady 60 grain bullet. I have hundreds of these rounds loaded in the early 1980s that I am still shooting my way through. Please note that this load is well below maximum per the Hornady manual, 4th Edition, but is in excess of the maximum published in later manuals. Always follow current load data.

 

[MrGiggles]

I have just gone through the same situation, and have come to the conclusion that it's not really worth it for me to reload .223/5.56 plinking ammo.

Cheap projectiles cost 6-10 cents, powder is going to run between 6 and 15 cents, and primers are another 3 or 4. Not to mention cost of brass (if applicable) and consumables. Hard to justify when you can buy 1000rds of Wolf brass cased boxer primed FMJ for just under 300 bucks. But, if you like to load your own stuff, go for it. I'm just shedding some light on the economics of it.

Of course it's very easy to justify if you're loading hunting rounds or match grade stuff that is commonly well over a dollar per round.

H335 is a little cheaper and stretches a little further than Varget, for example. It also meters better.

 

[rg1]

Most common and best plinking load for an AR is Hornady 55 FMJ's or Spire Points with Hodgdon H335 at 24.5-25 grains. Probably the most loaded AR round is with 25.0 grains of H335 with Hornady 55's. Best commercial 55 grain bullet. Hornady 55 FMJ and SP's are available in bulk and H335 is available most everywhere at present. I would recommend RP 7 1/2 primers first or CCI 450 or CCI BR or CCI 41 Armory primers only. Designed with a thicker cup to handle the floating firing pin in the AR. Others use other small rifle primers but these are most recommended. You'll be shooting more rounds in the AR than other rifles so buy in bulk especially adding another AR for your wife. Best brass for reloading for me has always been Lake City LC once fired military but you have to swage to remove the primer pocket crimp. I do like RP and no issues with Winchester .223 Rem brass and no swaging on commercial brass. Have fun.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I load 223 for the satisfaction of shooting my own stuff and getting great accuracy. Its costing me 19 cents/round with my current load, that's still a $110 savings per case. I can also shoot that many more rounds for the same cost as factory ammo, an extra 15 boxes worth.

 

[RPegram]

I'm currently averaging 17.4 cents per round. I think I'll keep rolling my own. When components are on sale and you can get reduced shipping, stock up, it will keep costs way down!