AR Re-loading - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jeepinbanditrider · 09-30-2007, 12:48 PM

I finally picked up some dies, powder, and bullets so I can start reloading .223/5.56

I'm going to work up some rounds tonight when I get home from work and would like to run my loadup by ya'll and see if ya'll think this will cycle the action on a 14.5inch barreled AR (with fixed 2 in. flash suppressor).

I have lots o NATO 5.56 LC brass but won't be using that right now as I don't have a way to remove the crimp at the moment so I'm going to be reloading .223 S&B brass for the most part.

Powder: Hodgdon Varget 25.5 gr

Bullet:M193 55gr

Case: .223 Selliot and Bellot (SP?)

Primer: CCI Small Rifle

Now according to the Hodgdon reload center this should produce something along the lines of 41,300 CUP and is listed as a starting load for .223.

For future ref. does anyone have any good loads for 5.56 Nato?

Bidah · 10-01-2007, 08:30 AM

For decent reloads that are what I consider blasting ammo you can use a number of powders. I get what I can get in bulk, buy a bunch of it, chrono that, and then load bunches. AA2230 and AA2520, BLC-2 are the most used for me, although I am going to be working on some Ramshot Tac here soon.

ichy_trigger · 10-01-2007, 10:40 AM

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?

jeepinbanditrider · 10-01-2007, 01:56 PM

I loaded 50 rounds of it last night and tested a few rounds of it today. Fired and cycled just fine.

I did make a small revision by going with 24.5 grains instead of 25.5 after a few guys over at AR15.com said that Varget runs kinda hot.

RobFMJ · 10-01-2007, 02:26 PM

My poisons of choice are H335 and IMR 4895.

H335 has been the easiest to handle (meter) and seems to be considered the swiss army knife of AR15 powders. However, if you dont mind the extra trouble that it will give you in terms of metering and compressed charges, IMR 4895 gives me very consistent results.

I regret not bringing my loadbook down here with me, as I can't share any of my favorite loads. I will, however, reccomend Sierra's 60 gr. JHP. Its my favorite bullet so far... not too expensive, and will print great groups from my rifle.

bigun · 10-01-2007, 02:41 PM

55 grain loads I use either 2520 or Ramshot exterminator, 62 grain loads Varget 24 grains, 69-75 grain loads Reloader 15 24 or so grains. Depending on twist and barrel length so far the Bushmaster 1 in 9" really liked the Ramshot and a 55 grain Speer hp, the Armalite 1in8" loves the Sierra 69 grain match and Reloader 15.

jeepinbanditrider · 10-01-2007, 02:51 PM

I was going to get H335 as I read the same things you are talking about. But I usually buy my powder local as it's cheaper than paying hazmat. The local gunstore here only had Varget so that's what I wound up with.

I'll probably only run 55grn and 62 grain bullets as long as I can get SS109s and M193s.

**PackerfanXD** · 10-01-2007, 03:11 PM

Subscribing.

The Knight Of Light · 10-01-2007, 03:16 PM

My personal Load for MY rifle.

55 grain pills on top of 24.5 grains of Reloader #15. Win SRP and mixed brass.

Always drop the load by 5-10% before trying the load in your gun.

brian40 · 10-01-2007, 03:16 PM

Most Varget loads are compressed aren't they?

Anyway, I use Data 68 which is great but no longer available. When the 14 pounds or so I have left are gone, I will be switching to Ramshot Tac.

As far as your last question, I wouldn't load any different for 5.56 brass than I would for 223, even though it will take higher pressures. This is just blasting ammo right??

10-01-2007, 08:30 AM	#2
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 691	For decent reloads that are what I consider blasting ammo you can use a number of powders. I get what I can get in bulk, buy a bunch of it, chrono that, and then load bunches. AA2230 and AA2520, BLC-2 are the most used for me, although I am going to be working on some Ramshot Tac here soon. __________________ -Bidah “The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” The Doctor

10-01-2007, 10:40 AM	#3
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp? __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

10-01-2007, 01:56 PM	#4
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,836	I loaded 50 rounds of it last night and tested a few rounds of it today. Fired and cycled just fine. I did make a small revision by going with 24.5 grains instead of 25.5 after a few guys over at AR15.com said that Varget runs kinda hot. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

10-01-2007, 02:26 PM	#5
RobFMJ XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Galveston, Texas Posts: 1,883	My poisons of choice are H335 and IMR 4895. H335 has been the easiest to handle (meter) and seems to be considered the swiss army knife of AR15 powders. However, if you dont mind the extra trouble that it will give you in terms of metering and compressed charges, IMR 4895 gives me very consistent results. I regret not bringing my loadbook down here with me, as I can't share any of my favorite loads. I will, however, reccomend Sierra's 60 gr. JHP. Its my favorite bullet so far... not too expensive, and will print great groups from my rifle. __________________ Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

10-01-2007, 02:41 PM	#6
bigun XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 2,705	55 grain loads I use either 2520 or Ramshot exterminator, 62 grain loads Varget 24 grains, 69-75 grain loads Reloader 15 24 or so grains. Depending on twist and barrel length so far the Bushmaster 1 in 9" really liked the Ramshot and a 55 grain Speer hp, the Armalite 1in8" loves the Sierra 69 grain match and Reloader 15. __________________ Springfield Loaded Stainless,Kimber Pro CDP 2, Kimber Custom Target, Beretta 92D Centurions x2, 92FS, SIG 229 SAS, CZ75, and several other weapons that give Liberals nightmares.

09-30-2007, 12:48 PM	#1
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,836	AR Re-loading I finally picked up some dies, powder, and bullets so I can start reloading .223/5.56 I'm going to work up some rounds tonight when I get home from work and would like to run my loadup by ya'll and see if ya'll think this will cycle the action on a 14.5inch barreled AR (with fixed 2 in. flash suppressor). I have lots o NATO 5.56 LC brass but won't be using that right now as I don't have a way to remove the crimp at the moment so I'm going to be reloading .223 S&B brass for the most part. Powder: Hodgdon Varget 25.5 gr Bullet:M193 55gr Case: .223 Selliot and Bellot (SP?) Primer: CCI Small Rifle Now according to the Hodgdon reload center this should produce something along the lines of 41,300 CUP and is listed as a starting load for .223. For future ref. does anyone have any good loads for 5.56 Nato? __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

10-01-2007, 02:51 PM	#7
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,836	I was going to get H335 as I read the same things you are talking about. But I usually buy my powder local as it's cheaper than paying hazmat. The local gunstore here only had Varget so that's what I wound up with. I'll probably only run 55grn and 62 grain bullets as long as I can get SS109s and M193s. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

10-01-2007, 03:11 PM	#8
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 7,053 Blog Entries: 1	Subscribing. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.break.com/usercontent/200...00-358890.html PALIN/McCAIN '08 An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

10-01-2007, 03:16 PM	#9
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,833 Blog Entries: 12	My personal Load for MY rifle. 55 grain pills on top of 24.5 grains of Reloader #15. Win SRP and mixed brass. Always drop the load by 5-10% before trying the load in your gun. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

10-01-2007, 03:16 PM	#10
brian40 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,527	Most Varget loads are compressed aren't they? Anyway, I use Data 68 which is great but no longer available. When the 14 pounds or so I have left are gone, I will be switching to Ramshot Tac. As far as your last question, I wouldn't load any different for 5.56 brass than I would for 223, even though it will take higher pressures. This is just blasting ammo right?? __________________ Brian "Did I say that outloud?"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode