.223 ar15 loads

[flynlow3]

I am looking for anything that is proven to run in most AR15 rifles.

Here is what my plans are.

Dogtown 55gr bthp 22cal bullets
27.4gr varget
cci small rifle primers.

Looking for bulk ammo price with decent accuracy/reliablity.

I would appreciate any thoughts or proven recipes to start with. I would like the rifle to cycle properly and also be efficient on powder.

Thanks!

 

[You-Two]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I had good accuracy with the Nosler 55gr FBHP bullets, which I think are the same as the Dogtown. I don't think the Dogtowns are BTs though...could be wrong. I loaded them using Win748 up around 26.0gr. Shot the same as the Nosler 52gr CC match bullets. I use 8208XBR powder now with these bullets for my 100/200 yd reduced highpower match load.

Only problem I had was the wider HP would occassionally jam when being stripped from the mag. It would jam straight back into the case and require the mag to be removed to clear. I diagnosed it as being an issue with the PMAG 20rd mags, since they sat slightly lower than any of the metal mags I have. No problems since switching mags at all. The PMAGs seem to work fine with FMJs, but I replaced them with standard metal mags for any HPs.

Loading for bulk and decent accuracy I would probably use the Hornady 55 FMJBT bullet and TAC or surplus WC844. Cheaper and easier to meter when loading in bulk. I recently picked up a couple lbs of Reloder 7 for cheap (i.e. free) from a friend who was moving out of state. Looks like it might be a possibility for the 55gr and under crowd, plus it only takes <21gr per shot. TAC, Xterminator, H335, W748, and WC844 (and more) are all standard .223 powders.

Good luck!

 

[BCP]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

24.5 TAC and 2.2" COAL.

 

[country888]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I just loaded about 400 55gn dogtowns with RL10X. Shoots fine for me.

 

[Temp9]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I just ordered a bunch of stuff for bulk reloading. I'll be using Hornady Soft Point 55gr ($.085 each), WC844 ($13/lb, $.052/round), CCI primers ($.025 each), LC brass ($.06 each, <$.01/firing). That comes out to $.172/round.

The SP bullets shoot noticeably better than the FMJBT since they are closed base, open tip. They cost the same as the FMJBT if you can find them bulk from Wideners, but they're a bit more expensive at "regular" prices (ie. Grafs).

 

[George63]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

run this reliably in lots of AR's - average 2 moa, some as good as 1 1/2 moa
RPU brass - sorted by weight 90-94, 95, 96, 97-99
tula prime .02 powder valley
wc844 24-25.5 grains ( for multiple rifles just go with 25 gr)hi-tec ammo
hornady 55gr FMJ or SP .085 each

FMJ is easier to load, SP may make smaller groups

as low as .14 each including all shipping/fees if you do large orders

 

[flynlow3]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

Thank you very much guys. I loaded a few test rounds up and found that the dogtown bullets shot the best groups. A bit more expensive but I will pay a penny or two more for the smaller group sizes.

 

[Jim Buck]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I get 1/2" groups with Dogtowns, and 25.5 grains of Tac which meeters well. I know you are probably going with Varget because you use it for other loads, but I could not make it work. Tac is the best option.

 

[showlow50]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

The load I shoot is 55gr dog town, 25grs Varget. My lyman 49th edition manual list it as most accurate load and it is for me. I did get some 55 nosler ballistic tip that was on sale and will try them with same load also.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I've never used the Dogtown. With Hornady 55gr FMJ's and Nosler 55gr BT's, even the starting charges cycled fine in carbines and rifles. 27.4gr Varget is stout; I wouldn't jump right on that without working up.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I use a lot of Varget for my .308 but for my AR's I stick with AA2230. The Varget is OK but not in a progressive like a Dillon. The powder is like trying to "meter" presto-logs.

Might consider it if I was single stage loading for a Bolt Action but my AR's are too "hungry" to load single stage for them.

As for a load, I would work one up that gives you just enough "bang" to properly cycle the bolt. Chances are that will also be your most accurate one. Too much in the powder dept leads to a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the Bolt, Carrier, and Upper, for little added benefit.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

24.5 of TAc or H335 with any 55gr FMJ is my bulk load, I don't shoot them for groups but hit everything i aim at and the 1050 loads tons of them fast.

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

24.5gr H335 or 25gr WC844 and Hornady 55gr FMJ works for me .I have been shooting it for years in several different rifles.

 

[ToddKS]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

Another vote for H335 here. I run 24.0gr under 55gr FMJ's and 69gr SMK.

H335 meters better that Varget. I can set my powder measure and be consistantly within +/-.1gr.

 

[rather-b-huntin]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

27.4 of Varget is way too much! Start out in the 24-25 range.

 

[Bunnypunter]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

Any of you play around with the CFE powder yet on a 55gn Z-Max? Just curious what your loads might look like. Shooting an 18" Colt CRP18.

 

[mdavlee]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I got great results with 26 grains of varget with 69 gr smk. 3.5" at 400 yards.

 

[Graham]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

Varget isn't the powder for light bullets in a .223.

 

[Genius.]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

I like Varget, but I'm shooting 69-75 gr bullets.

I'm working on loads with 8208, so far that is a promising powder

 

[mdavlee]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: biggenius29</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like Varget, but I'm shooting 69-75 gr bullets.

I'm working on loads with 8208, so far that is a promising powder </div></div>

I'm going to keep loading with varget and the 69 smk. If they'll keep shooting as good as the test loads did then I'm done with load development for the ARs and will load the 1k up that I have. I thought about trying another powder but don't really feel a need.

 

[rweaver00geo]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

27 gains of varget behind a 55gr vmax or nosler bt gave me excellent accuracy. It might be me but that is about all I could fit in a case without major fussing, it didn't seem to be a hot load for me.

 

[mgoodrich]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

Started off with H335 26.5 gr and a Nosler BT 50 gr bullet. Shoots well in my RRA predator model.

Now using CFE 26.5 gr with Nosler BT 60 gr Bullet. This is used in my RRA coyote model.

 

[usmc02xx]

Re: .223 ar15 loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a lot of Varget for my .308 but for my AR's I stick with AA2230. The Varget is OK but not in a progressive like a Dillon. The powder is like trying to "meter" presto-logs.

.</div></div>

same, i like varget a lot but find it a hassle to get really consistent powder measures. nowadays i just overload by .5 and trickle back into powder holder. maybe its my cheap lee powder dispenser, but i get like a .5gn spread between charges on varget.