which powder for AR

[LUCKYDAWG13]

hello i need to start to reload for my RRA AR 1 in 9 twist 16.5 barrel 223/5.56
can you give me some suggestions on powder & bullets use will be for
paper & defense thanks for your help

 

[cfullgraf]

I use AA2230 with my 55 grain bullets.

Varget with 69 grain Sierra Matchkings.

There are other good powders out there as well.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

H335 is probably the most popular for .223

 

[RustyFN]

Yes 55 grain bullets with H-335 powder.

 

[Tex4426]

Cfe 223...bullet probably any hallow point from 50 g to 69g.i shoot the cfe 223 its awesome and very clean..im getting under .5 inch groups with 55-69g bullets out of my 1:8 match RRA...and its very clean burning..havnt cleaned it in 100 rounds and its barely got and residue on the bolt..none in the barrel

 

[Tomcat53]

Hodgdon CFE 223

I agree with using the new CFE 223 powder. My groups have shrank to 1" or less with 69 gr Nosler HPBT in my 1:9 DPMS AR. The barrel still gets dirty but cleans a lot faster/easier. No copper fouling that I can see. I would say defintely give it a try. I have some in 308 WIN loaded but haven't tried yet.

 

[J_McLeod]

I've used 2 lbs of the CFE and I like it. I'll probably stick with that as my AR powder.

 

[tsudduth]

DPMS AR with 1:9 twist barrel

I've been told that it is best to use 55gr bullets with a 1:9 twist barrel because you will loose accuracy with heavier bullets. Is this true?

Tomcat53:
At what range were you achieving these tight groupings and with what type of bullets?

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i cant fined any load data for CFE in my handbooks i would like to try this
were can i get sum load data for this ? thanks

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

I've been told that it is best to use 55gr bullets with a 1:9 twist barrel because you will loose accuracy with heavier bullets. Is this true?

rule of thumb is that 1-in-9" twist is enough to stabilize up to 70 gr bullets. YMMV.

i cant fined any load data for CFE in my handbooks i would like to try this
were can i get sum load data for this ? thanks

hodgdon's website

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

thank you NeuseRvrRat got it

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

no problem

 

[tsudduth]

rule of thumb is that 1-in-9" twist is enough to stabilize up to 70 gr bullets. YMMV.

Thanks NeuseRvrRat.

 

[Tex4426]

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Try this link for cfe load data

Use data of rifle...ur cartridge...what bullet weigh and type of powder and ull get the clossest if not the exact match of what your looking for

 

[Walkalong]

55 Gr V-Max

Very accurate in most guns and reasonably priced.

55 Gr Z-Max

Supposed to be the same as the V-Max, but with a cannelure. Cheaper than the V-Max.

Dogtown 55 Gr SP

Excellent rep, and cheaper still.

Varmint Nightmare 55 Gr SP

Excellent rep and a good price.


H335, H-322, N130, N133, 4895, Eliminator, TAC, AA 2230, BLC2, among others. Good news is many powders work well.

 

[wankerjake]

I have used IMR 4895 and Varget with good success. As mentioned, I think there are a number of powders that work well. H335 certainly is recommended a lot, I would like to try it.

 

[James2]

Depends some on your goals. If you want something in low to mid velocity range and economical, 4198 would be a good choice.

For some mid range loads 3031 or Varget.

For some smoking high vel loads, BL-C2.

As with any caliber, there are lots of possibilities in choice of powder. Maybe you already have a can of one of those mentioned? If so give it a whirl. My experience lately tells me that you can't always buy any kind of powder, but choices are limited to what is in stock, or on hand. So I usually buy powders that can be used in several of my rifles when I see some in stock. Varget, 4198, 4831 and 3031 are among those. You can load about anything in rifles with these and I often find them available.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have a 1 in 9 20"
My 2 favorite powders for 55gr bullets are Varget & Reloder15.
26 gr of Varget
or
24gr of RL15

 

[Walkalong]

Reloder15.

I knew I forgot an obvious one.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

thanks for all the help

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I have tried about every powder that is recommended for the .223. I shoot a Tikka T3, two AR-15s and a Ruger #1V in .223 and I have found nothing that equals a stout load of H335 and a Sierra 52gr. HPBT Match. The only exception being the #1V, which prefers 50Gr. VMAX bullets, but just barely.

 

[Mudntexas]

Varget works well in my rock river