223 load recomendations for Bushmaster Varminter AR15

Cammy7s

Cammy7s

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I am looking for a load recomendation for a 223 Bushmaster Varminter AR-15 rifle.

It has a 1:9 twist and 24" barrel. I know I am not going to get the accuracy of a Bolt precision rifle but am looking to get the best accuracy possible. I have heard suggestions of bullet weights anywhere from 50 grains to 69 grains and powders suggestions of H335 for lighter bullets and Varget for anything heavier than 60 grains, but I am open to any suggestions others may have.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!
 
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choices

My friend in Montana has one of these in 223 and his favorite powder is Benchmark, I'll ask him what bullet weight works best for him. FS
 
Sierra has a separate loading guide specifically for the AR. Google it and download it. Lots of good info there. Personally, I use BL-(C)2 powder cause it meters so nice through my Dillon. I use 26.5 gr with 55 gr bullets and 25.5 gr with the Sierra 69 gr BTHP Match Kings. Good luck.
 
Hi, I'm getting insanely good groups in many different 1-9" semi-autos by using Hornady TAP-FPD 60gr ammo and Federal Gold Match 69gr SMK.

The Hornady load is a 60gr V-Max at 3115 fps from a 24" barrel.
The equivalent Sierra AR-15 load is 26.4gr of Varget and gets 2900fps from a 20" barrel.
The Federal load is a 69gr Sierra MatchKing (SMK) at 2950fps from a 24" barrel.
Another great load is 69gr SMK with 25.3 of Varget which is good for 2750fps from a 20" barrel.

Check these load by yourself first!!

Alex
 
I'm not certain of the importer, but I know you can get it at Proline in Calgary.
Also try Combat Masters / BDX - they may be cheaper.

TAC runs a tad slower(burn rate) than Varget, but near enough to be very similar. It flows like water. I used to run Varget in one of my 550s with very little issue, but have since upgraded it to a 650. I find the 650's auto index tends to be a bit more jerky, and if the cases are nearly full, I was making a mess.
The ball powders seem to pack down into the case better, and very little jumps out from the indexing.
 
You might try H4895 with Sierra 52 or 53 gr hp match bullets. That would shoot under 1/2" from a 1 in 10 Colt I had assembled as an IPSC match rifle. This was loaded in RP primed brass on a Dillon RL1050 using the Dillon measure.
 
saskcop said:
69 grain Nosler or PRVI match bullet on top of 23.8 grains of WC-735 sparked by a Winchester primer. Work up to it.
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Ok, I have heard this bullet works well with varget as well. I am wondering what a good starting load might be? I will be using CCI small rifle perimers as well.
 
pockets said:
For game, use 60 vmax with varget 26-27 grains, 205M primers, winchester brass prepped.
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I use a very similar load;
60 gr Vmax, Winchester brass, Varget 25.5 gr, Winchester small rifle primers. I load them as long as I can and still get reliable feeding - I'd have to check on the actual COL. Through my 16 inch 1:9 AR the velocity is a bit slow but accuracy is good.
 
Cammy7s said:
OK thanks, any one have much luck using a Nosler 55 gr ballsitic tip in their AR's?
Click to expand...

Yes I did. Below is a picture of target results from developing the loads for 55gr Nosler B-TIP shooting out of my R-15 VTR 22" rifle back in 2009. If my record is correct, I used 24.6gr Ramshot TAC, WSR primer and Win brass with 2.255"-2.260" OAL, temp at Trochu range was around 15-20 C with no wind. I'm now developing loads for Sierra 60gr HP and 69gr HPBT SMK.

55grNoslerB-Tip.jpg
 
I took a lot at the Lymans 49th edt reloading handbook and found something that might be of interest.

They state there has been good luck with 80 (specific to AR-15) for long ranges using H4895 ... and Varget and N140 also work well ... with a 2.550" OAL....up to 600 yrds.

For 1 - 9 twist the 69 gr seem to be the one of choice.
 
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