cycling an AR with unique or power pistol

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Matthew Courtney

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I have recieved my 5.56 bullets, brass, and primers, but my win 748 is on back-order. I know that unique and some other pistol powders can be used in rifle loads, and I have some date in my Lyman manual to start with.

Is it worth doing? All my 5.56's are semi-auto's. Will pistol powders develop enough pressure at the right time during the burn to run them?
 
I have used handgun powders for reduced loads in bolt action rifles, but I would not try it for a semi-auto unless I was happy with it operating as a single shot.
 
Simple answer, it won't work. Complex answer, it won't work. Reason, the loads you refer to are probably for a single shot or bolt gun. Your AR is a gas operated semi auto, so the gas pressure has dropped off too far at the gas port to cycle the action.

Wait for your rifle powder!
 
The folks I ordered the powder from have a bad habit of canceling back-orders that they can't fill within 30 days. That stinks, cause prices are going up everywhere. It stinks again because I'll probably have to pay another Hazmat fee.

It stinks a third time because I have a little 748 and I'll probably go ahead and change my toolhead to load what I can with it for an upcoming class, then when I change my toolhead to load something else, the rest of my 748 will arive.

Thanks for the 411. You saved me a powder bar change and a trip to the range. Maybe I'll load some .44 mag and take the carbine course with my Marlin levergun.
 
Did you try it and fail to be able to make it work, or did you simply not try it?
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If you were to load Unique or Power Pistol to cycle the action the chamber pressure would be to high. I might try it with 2400 ? and some may do it with Blue Dot ,but this is risky and could cause a BOOM instead of a bang.
 
I'd think you could find a pound or two of 748 locally in Lake Charles to get you started?

rc
 
Nobody in Lake Charles sells any type of reloading equipment or component. One must mail order it or drive to someplace else. The shops within driving distance are out of 748 and other "caliber appropriate" powders.
 
I've tried Titegroup, Clays and 2400 in four different AR-15 rifles and carbines (55 grain fmj bullet and Win SR primer), in each case using published data from Hodgdon and Alliant. I also used Unique with a published load in the Lyman book using a 55g cast lead bullet.

None of the Unique, Clays or Titegroup loads would cycle.

The max load of 2400 would not cycle the 20" or 24" rifles, and would not cycle the newest 16" carbine (an M4 clone). But I have one old-fashioned CAR carbine that does cycle. That one has a new stainless steel gas tube that fits tightly to the gas key, and the bolt has more than 10,000 rounds on it so it's well broken in. But it only cycles with a max charge of 2400, if I drop it one-tenth grain it fails to cycle.

None of this is worthwhile to me. The cost savings using 2400 is only 3 cents per round. Not worthwhile to me.
 
I've loaded reduced loads in the .223 with both Unique and BlueDot, as well as Universal. Both with jacketed and cast lead bullets.

You won't be able to get enough port pressure with either of these to cycle the action.

You may get some cycling with #2400 with near max loads. However, IMR and H4198 are the fastest powders that will give good cycling.

I'd try one of the mil-surp powders that either Pats Reloaders Supplies, or GI-Brass.com sells. Prices are good, and they ususally ship promptly.

BTW: Hod. BLC-2 is the same thing as Win748, only difference is the Lot#'s. Also, WC-846 is very similar. I've found that TAC works good too.

I've also had outstanding results with Reloader 15, as well as IMR4198 and H4895.
 
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