AR15 reloads

[Doobie]

Question. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but I have some 55fmj with cannelures that my wife's uncle gave me. He doesn't remember the brand and they were stored loosely in a plastic container. What load data should I use since I don't know the specific brand of bullet?

 

[lx1x]

Question. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but I have some 55fmj with cannelures that my wife's uncle gave me. He doesn't remember the brand and they were stored loosely in a plastic container. What load data should I use since I don't know the specific brand of bullet?

You don't need the brand.. Just use 55g fmj data.

 

[BradMacc82]

25.1gr H335 and whatever bullet I stuffed into the case mouth - always seemed to work great in my bolt gun and mid-length uppers.

55gr FMJ
60gr Vmax
69gr Nosler
75gr Match (only used in the bolt gun due to OAL)

 

[paxfish]

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.

As interest, I've had no luck getting accuracy out of the extreme bullets. They are nice and cheap and it was reflected in my carbine tests:

xtreme on left, Sierra BlitzKing on the right. SBK is my go-to these days and they run about 27 cents a piece (versus 10 cents on the xtreme)...

 

[Doobie]

As interest, I've had no luck getting accuracy out of the extreme bullets. They are nice and cheap and it was reflected in my carbine tests:

xtreme on left, Sierra BlitzKing on the right. SBK is my go-to these days and they run about 27 cents a piece (versus 10 cents on the xtreme)...

Nice. I like to see real world stuff like this. Thanks for posting

 

[Doobie]

You don't need the brand.. Just use 55g fmj data.

Thank you

 

[Melnic]

PaxFish,
Good data.

I'll be comparing the Xtremes to other ammo like american eagle or such.
I'll be using it for offhand shooting mostly.

 

[Moorvogi]

I got similar results with extreme from my 308. Not a bad plinker but wouldn't want to put bets on em.

 

[Melnic]

I got similar results with extreme from my 308. Not a bad plinker but wouldn't want to put bets on em.

You put the flat tip ones on a 308?

 

[pcfixer]

25.1gr H335 and whatever bullet I stuffed into the case mouth - always seemed to work great in my bolt gun and mid-length uppers.

55gr FMJ
60gr Vmax
69gr Nosler
75gr Match (only used in the bolt gun due to OAL)

Seems to be above max recommended powder charge...??
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

22.7 of H335 = 3,063 at 53,000 psi listed as max load.
I've had issues like other with 'always finding' H335 so found the H322 easyer to find powder

 

[BradMacc82]

Seems to be above max recommended powder charge...??
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

22.7 of H335 = 3,063 at 53,000 psi listed as max load.
I've had issues like other with 'always finding' H335 so found the H322 easyer to find powder

That was for my specific rifles, so YMMV.

In the bolt gun, no pressure signs. In a 16" Mid-length with a NATO chamber, the 69's were the heaviest rounds put thru it - no pressure signs exhibited. Loaded to magazine length (2.258" to be exact).

 

[pcfixer]

That was for my specific rifles, so YMMV.

In the bolt gun, no pressure signs. In a 16" Mid-length with a NATO chamber, the 69's were the heaviest rounds put thru it - no pressure signs exhibited. Loaded to magazine length (2.258" to be exact).

AHA moment for me. I'm loading for a AR15 semi and not bolt action. I think the H322 'extreme powder' a better choice than H335. JMHO
One is a RRA and one is Del ton, both HB 16". I pretty much use 55 / 62
gr BT FMJ. havn't used 69's. Thanks for the info.

 

[BradMacc82]

AHA moment for me. I'm loading for a AR15 semi and not bolt action. I think the H322 'extreme powder' a better choice than H335. JMHO
One is a RRA and one is Del ton, both HB 16". I pretty much use 55 / 62
gr BT FMJ. havn't used 69's. Thanks for the info.

I always had ease finding H335, and the end results were always pleasing to me so I just stuck with it - even up to the 75gr rounds it ran very well.

If you compare the numbers in Lyman's 49th, you'll see they also tested some loads in a 20" AR (1:7), I've noticed Hodgdon has gotten a bit more conservative on their load data over the past year or two. So you'll probably find a good node somewhere close to or even above their published max.

 

[Moorvogi]

You put the flat tip ones on a 308?

Yep. Lol. Tried 308 and 30-06. Put a few in my 300blackout too but haven't tried them yet.

 

[Melnic]

Down around 2250fps the upper was cycling fine, anyone experiment with lighter loads?
Did the accuracy go to crap?

 

[Melnic]

I finally got a chance to 1) try a new upper and scope combo 2) Try the Xtreme bullets with H335.
If I could get them shooting better than Cheap 25c/round Tulamo, I'd be happy. Well they did group tighter. Out of 20 rounds, I'd have 1 flyer. The main group was about 1/2 the size of the Tulamo. I have yet to shoot any SMKs from my upper so I'll be eager to see how that goes but 25gr of H335 with the Xtreme Bullets sure beats Tulamo or Winchester 223 in both price and performance.

 

[Sticky]

If you take your time and do the load workup for a given bullet/powder combination, you should be able to load better than factory accurate ammo. I don't think I have failed at this, as long as the powder/bullet/cartridge combination was in the normally acceptable range of components..

Years ago there was far less choice in factory loads as they have available today, but you can equal or exceed it with well produced handloads at a much lesser price..

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I finally got a chance to 1) try a new upper and scope combo 2) Try the Xtreme bullets with H335.
If I could get them shooting better than Cheap 25c/round Tulamo, I'd be happy. Well they did group tighter. Out of 20 rounds, I'd have 1 flyer. The main group was about 1/2 the size of the Tulamo. I have yet to shoot any SMKs from my upper so I'll be eager to see how that goes but 25gr of H335 with the Xtreme Bullets sure beats Tulamo or Winchester 223 in both price and performance.

Your SMK's are going to be ridiculous, once you dial in the perfect load for them.

 

[steves1911]

Must be something magical about 25gr of h335 I'm using that charge behind a 65gr gameking with really good results in my rifles.

 

[Melnic]

I'll be working up more accurate loads with the SMKs starting with Varget probably.

For the cheap Xtreame bullets I'll leave it where it is for the first batch of 500 and use up my H335 with them.