.223 rem loads for my AR

T

TheM4chef

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Hey guys. I've got my brass sized and trimmed ready to load.
Im shooting out of a
20" 1/9 hbar
14.5" dd bbl 1/7
11.5" bbl 1/7

Brass trimmed using lee trimmer guide for .223
I have hornady 55gr fmjbt
2# H322 powder
CCI benchrest small rifle primers
Lee crimper .233


Most of the reload data uses 20 or 24" bbl

It looks like 23gr of H322 is the most consistent load for this combo.

Any suggestions would be appreciated
 
Stick with the same basics - make a bunch at or near min and work up from there. I have never used that particular powder (I use 3031 or 4320 for my ARs but that's just me...) You may find that with different twist and length you will end up with a different load for each gun. Half the fun of reloading is the testing - so have fun with it.
 
I assume you are loading for accuracy?

This looks like a good combo of bullet and powder for other than match quality ammo. For that you want the Hornady 68gr of 75 gr HPBT.

What I do for a project like this is install a 20X target scope on the rifle, and test it off sandbags at 100 yds. I load the test ammo in lots of 10 rounds from the Start load to the Max load, in 0.5 gr increments. I usually also load two grains under Start, to see if I am close to the load that does not cycle the rifle.

I shoot 5 shot groups, aiming at the corner of a black patch. Target looks like this.

HIPNTTEST2.jpg


At the firing point, I make a sketch of the target layout and make notes of which load was aimed at each patch.

I only shoot 5 of the 10 shots, so I can re-shoot the promising loads to make sure it was not a fluke.

I would test from 18.0 to 23.5 gr. of H322.
 
Thanks for the good advice. I'm looking for plinking ammo at this point since I'm new to reloading with the intent of making some target loads specially for the 20"

I only have the H322 powder on hand but think I'll look for some H355 next time I'm in town.
 
Near useless info but my XCR liked 21.5 gr H322 under a 55 gr fmj. 21.0 and 22.0 were terrible groups. Not at all applicable to your ARs. Do as Ganderite says, I work up loads for my semis the same way with good results. Each rifle will have its preference.
 
I shoot 55 grain bullets with 25 grains of H335 as a practice load which is 4,000 to 5,000 psi below max rated pressure. It shoots well and is easy on your brass. Below is the link to Sierra load data for the AR15 rifle, on the 55 grain bullet page is load data for H332

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

288_zps26698a67.jpg


It is advisable to use primers with a cup thickness of .025 with the Ar15 to prevent slamfires.

calhoonprimers02_zpsb8295b11.png


And when using double base ball powders that have more deterrent coatings a hotter primer is needed. Now think about your shorter barrels and the photos below.

3CCIBR4_zps20b88c85.jpg


5Remington75_zps2b532d7c.jpg


Now guess what primer Remington used when they ran our Lake City Army Aammunition Plant and developed the 5.56 cartridge.

I use the Remington 7 1/2 in my AR15 rifles with ball powder and CCI BR4 primers with single base powders in my .223 bolt action.
 
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I am trying to figure out the combination of BR2 Primers, 55 Grs FMJBT, and SBR Ar 15....

Kind of like Jumbo Shrimp to me.

If you are looking for bench rest accuracy I would be looking at individual workup for each rifle, and be looking towards said mentioned 68Grs or 75Grs HPBT

But hell, when it all comes down to it have fun. Because I have done the same with my 18" DMR just for something to try
 
I'm thinking component choice is a matter of availability for most reloaders these days. Its why I use H322 and IMR4198 in .223 right now. Those are the last two decent powders left after each shipment gets ransacked around here.
 
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