AR15 Load - Suggestions

[paperpuncher49]

A close friend has asked me to help him load some ammo for his AR15. The projectile of choice is a 55 gr FMJBT (.224) and after checking a couple of manuals for the .223 Rem, I suggested he buy some WW748. Obviously, a load which will allow the weapon to reliably cycle without overly battering it would be desireable. I have no experience whatsover loading for the AR, and probably wouldn't be able to tell from firing it, assuming it cycled reliably, if the load was or was not excessively heavy for the AR. Anyone have a recipe that functions well but doesn't put undue stress on the action?

 

[trueblue1776]

I have always been a believer in 25.0-26.0(Max)gr of H4895 under a 55gr FMJBT was as close to M193 as I could get. It works great in my 16" barrel AR-15.

It's not a compressed load but it gets close enough to the mouth so I can visually inspect the charge before bullet seating. I find H4895 to be one of the smoothest, cleanest powders I have ever worked with.

 

[RustyFN]

I use W748 and H335 and like them both. I would start close to minimum and work up. For W748 26 start and 28 max but max is compressed. For H335 24.5 start and 26.5 max. Every gun is different so the sweet load in mine might be the crap load in yours.
Rusty

 

[Big_R]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

That said, my favorite load for my .223 rifles is 25.0 grains of AA 2230 and any 55 grain fmj/fmjtb. It is very consistent, at least in my rifles.

It can get a little warm when using military brass, but this seems to be rifle dependent.

Ryan

 

[Slamfire]

It seems, from asking competitors on the firing line, that the most popular AR15 powders are Varget and RL-15. These are both stick powders, and with heavier bullets, a charge of 24.5 grains is commonly recommended.

Personnally, I would recommend H4895. You will find the 4895 series of powders to be very flexible and will provide outstanding results in a whole bunch of medium capacity cases. I have used them in .223, 308 and 30-06 for a couple of decades now, and have tried them in other calibers, and gotten very good results.

 

[paperpuncher49]

Thanks to all responders. As I said, I was looking for a load with 748 for a friend's AR. Personally, I don't care for the AR, probably due to too much time spent with them "long ago in a galaxy far away." All of the propellants mentioned are good and I have experience with most of them. Interestingly, I do not get the greatest results with RL15 or Varget in my bolt action 223, but both are great with a slight edge going to Varget in a 243 Ruger 77. I do use 748 and can get one ragged hole at 100 yards on days when I am shooting well in a 308 Browning A-Bolt, and usually a 3/4 inch group in the 223 A-Bolt that doesn't like RL15 or Varget. I agree that H4895 is very versatile, and I've used several pounds over the years. If I did have to pick one of the above, it would be Varget or RL15 (sorry, that's 2!). I have had better (more consistent) results in more firearms with them than any other powder. They are very similar to one another. Anyway, thanks for all your responses.