AR15 reloads

Melnic · Feb 27, 2015

OK, I'm working up some 223 loads for an AR15

I started with a 55g jacketed projectile (Sierra) cause I have a box of 500 coming from Xtreme soon. Not looking for stellar accuracy but if I can beat commercial typical ammo, I'll be happy. My books on H335 show different start and max loads.

Right now I am using a Carbine with 14.5" barel (16 1/4" with Welded Flash Hider of course) and 1/7 twist.
I have another upper that is 16" and 1/9 twist which will be the main one I work up loads for.

My question is this. Not sure I was trusting my chrono today.
Here are the average velocities I got:
(factory ammo and some previous loads)
Tulamo 55g 2690fps
Winchester 62g 2700fps
25g IMR4895 53g HPBT 2690fps (load I worked up for my dad's AR)

(new reloads)
H335, 55g Jacketed
22.0g 2250fps
22.5g 2260fps
23.0g 2280fps
23.5g 2428fps
24.0g 2510fps
24.5g 2650fps

Varget 69g matchking
23.0g 2220fps
(chrono was erratic for loads between 23.5 and 24.0)
24.5g 2620fps

I was shooting 50 yards with iron sights so I was not really testing the accuracy. I wanted to get ball park velocities before I worked up loads again. I only shot 3 per weight range. One thing I noticed was my first 3 of the 69g match kings even at that low velocity were almost touching. I was not expecting that with that upper I was using.

So the big question I have is the 100fps jumps with 0.5grains of H335, is that expected/typical?

DaemonAssassin · Feb 27, 2015

The 100fps jumps is normal, when you look at the min/max charges and difference in velocities for each. If you really want to do some serious load dev and get the best load for your rifle, adjust your charge weights by .2gr of powder. You will have more rounds to make and shoot, but you will find the accuracy nodes much easier.

BTW the SMK is a match bullet. It is supposed to give you groups like that. Good shooting!

outrider58 · Feb 27, 2015

Not an expert by any stretch but, I have worked up a LOT of .223 loads and one half a grain is a substantial increase as DA was implying. I don't have a chrono.(yet) so I won't coment on velocity but, 100fps doesn't sound huge in the grand scheme of things, for what it's worth.

byf43 · Feb 27, 2015

DaemonAssassin said:
BTW the SMK is a match bullet. It is supposed to give you groups like that. Good shooting!

"I likes me some Sierra MatchKings!!!!!!" :toothless

Melnic · Feb 27, 2015

thx for the quick feedback.
I also found it interesting that with all 3 powders, 24-25grains is where I got near factory ammo velocity.

Around the 22.5grain H335 loads, it seemed insensitive to Powder weight. Since I was not using any optics though, It was hard to consider accuracy. I have lots of Varget but the H335 was purchased specifically for the 223 reloading and I'm hoping to come to a usable load quickly so I can crank out a bunch of ammo and shove into an ammo box.

I'll plan to work up the more accurate loads with the SMK bullets and Varget. @24g of Varget, is where is started to become a compressed load.

BUFF7MM · Feb 27, 2015

Wish I could help but I haven't used the powders you've listed, but I'll watch this thread.

Jaybeez · Feb 27, 2015

from a pdf of sierra's "AR-15" load data.

dist1646 · Feb 27, 2015

The Sierra data is from a 20" barrel. Expect to see 30-50fps difference in velocity for every inch of difference in barrel length.

tdt91 · Feb 27, 2015

I tested that powder and bullet weight 5 years ago to the day right now.
62 grn FMJBT Golden west bullets. H335 and CCI#41 primer. 16'' barrel. 35 degree air temp.
I shot tons of test loads with OACL differences and even some cartridge length differences. Mixed cases as well.

22.5 grns tested 2460-2530s. depended on case brand
24 grn tested at 2705 ave.
24.5 grn tested ave 2850-2900. CCI400 primer and 25 months later. much warmer outside. I tested 31 of these test rounds.

For me I found BL-C2 to be a better powder for me so thats what I have stuck with since. Hope my data helps you.

FlatsFlite · Feb 27, 2015

The speeds seem a little slow, probably the chrono.

If you have 5.56 Nato chambers, you have a lot of room to grow as Max for 335 is right at 28 grains for 5.56 chambers. I would work up from where you are until you get the resukts you want or start to see pressure signs.

Russ D · Feb 27, 2015

You need to bump up those charges on H335. My conservative load with 55 FMJ's is 25.0 grains. Of course work up to be safe but you've already safely proofed 24.5. My guess is you will find better accuracy as you increase the charge as well.

guthook · Feb 27, 2015

I've settled on 25.5gr of H335 and locked down the adjustment. Works great in everything I own. YMMV

tdt91 · Feb 28, 2015

guthook said:
I've settled on 25.5gr of H335 and locked down the adjustment. Works great in everything I own. YMMV

With 62 grn bullet?

byf43 · Feb 28, 2015

guthook said:
I've settled on 25.5gr of H335 and locked down the adjustment. Works great in everything I own. YMMV

^^^This right here!

Winner. Winner. Chicken dinner. :party29:

From 3 different AR(s) to Remington 799, the above data is THE LOAD w/ 55 gr boolits.

guthook · Feb 28, 2015

tdt91 said:
With 62 grn bullet?

Negative. 55gr. Sorry, should have expanded on that.

Jaybeez · Feb 28, 2015

byf43 said:
^^^This right here!

Winner. Winner. Chicken dinner.

From 3 different AR(s) to Remington 799, the above data is THE LOAD w/ 55 gr boolits.

I most commonly see people claiming 24.5 & 25.0 as their go to load with 55gr fmj and h335. sometimes i'll see a little above or below. my point is there seems to be a great accuracy node that seems to be common among many firearms and shooters in and around that range. your results may vary.

Sticky · Feb 28, 2015

I run 25.3gr H335 in my 20" bull barrel with 55gr V or Zmax boolits, very accurate... way less than minute of groundhog head..

I have some fmj's I can load, but I don't shoot fmj's often.

Work up a range, like .2gr increments, find the sweet spot and load a few at .1gr around that and you will find success with H335 and a light boolit.

edit to add.. my second test string was this.. settled in on 25.3gr, about 1/2moa consistently from the bench.

H335, Fed BR AR Primers, LC OF brass
5rds at 24.8
5rds at 25.0
5rds at 25.1
5rds at 25.2
5rds at 25.3

Melnic · Mar 2, 2015

Thx fellas.
What are you setting the OAL to for the 55g H335 ?

89GLH · Mar 2, 2015

77gr Sierra Match Kings run well in my rig, 20" RRA upper. Super flat trajectory.

byf43 · Mar 2, 2015

Melnic said:
Thx fellas.
What are you setting the OAL to for the 55g H335 ?

2.250" for both 55 gr Sierra Blitz and 55 gr Hornady VMax.

AR15 reloads

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