223 AR loads

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Lazer32

Active member
Hello Everyone,
I am shooting a 16inch AR rifle for my night hunts, suppressed. I am shooting the 55 grain Hornady V-max bullet using 25 grains of N140. I'm getting around 2850fps out of the load but I would like some more velocity, possibly 3k fps. I just want a flatter shooting rifle so I can shoot confidently out to 300 yards without worrying much about holdover. I am willing to change powder and bullet but obviously I would like the bullet to be able to get the job done on coyotes. Is this possible or am I asking too much from this rifle? I am really tempted to buy a 22ARC upper and I know that would work but I wanted to ask before I dropped the money. Thanks in advance.
 
My favorite coyote load was 25.5 gr H335 w/Nosler 55 gr. BT out of Bushmaster Predator (20" barrel). Chronographed 3130 fps. and shot 1/2 MOA. That load is warm; didn't show any signs of pressure in my rifle but you'd want to start lower (Nosler manual shows 25.0 as max. 4 shots =.252" but 5th shot opened to .345" (flap covered hole @ 12 o'clock just inside the square.)
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You will need a fast burning powder for that short barrel to get speed. H4198, benchmark, ramshot xterminator etc etc.

Otherwise just get a longer barrel and the problem is solved.
 
Im using a 26gr of WC846 in a 16" bbl with the 55gr vmax, been pretty happy with the results out of 2 different guns, 1/9 and 1/8 twist rifles.
 
Lazer32 said:
Hello Everyone,
I am shooting a 16inch AR rifle for my night hunts, suppressed. I am shooting the 55 grain Hornady V-max bullet using 25 grains of N140. I'm getting around 2850fps out of the load but I would like some more velocity, possibly 3k fps. I just want a flatter shooting rifle so I can shoot confidently out to 300 yards without worrying much about holdover. I am willing to change powder and bullet but obviously I would like the bullet to be able to get the job done on coyotes. Is this possible or am I asking too much from this rifle? I am really tempted to buy a 22ARC upper and I know that would work but I wanted to ask before I dropped the money. Thanks in advance.
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Looks like 140 is better suited for the bigger bullets. I'd drop down to the 50 Vmax & go to a faster powder.
 
I shoot the 50 V-max in a 16" barrel, 8 twist using X-terminator or 2230 (same) and get about 3,250 fps. No sign of pressure, but it is a little over book max.
 
Based on Nosler's data, looks like most powders that they list are most accurate at the hot end. Surprisingly three or four of them show 3140 fps as the most accurate in their rifle and the others show slowest MV as most accurate.
I used same load in two other AR's w/excellent accuracy and all were very effective on predators. All three rifles were either 1:8 or 1:9 twist, shortest barrel was 16.5 inch but only chronographed the Bushmaster.
Nosler Data for 55 gr. in .223
 
DU I was able to find 2230 and 50 grain V-max bullets locally. Gonna load some up tonight and make it to the range tomorrow.
 
@DoubleUp what's the charge you're using. PM me if you don't want to post it publicly. It goes without saying that I'm gonna work my way up from the charge in the book and chrono all loads and check for pressure signs.
 
I have tried lots of powders over the years to get max speed and accuracy with 55-62 grain bullets out of 16 inch barrels.

The V-Max hits pressure a bit earlier than some due to its relatively longer bearing surface and blunt shape. That bullet usually jumps less than many others. Its a great bullet as you know.

The 53 grain V-Max may suit you better for velocity, and holding velocity? The Nosler 55 grain BT makes dreams come true, for a price....

AA2015, H4895, N135, Benchmark and AR-Comp will all get you 2950 - 3000 fps +. If you are not getting the velocity you want with a full case of H4895 add a mag primer. That powder is sensitive to primer changes.

I normally start with AA2015. In my rifles, it normally outperforms all others. Generally shooting acceptable to great throughout the whole load work up process.

Have you tried the Bootleg adjustable carrier for shooting suppressed? I really love that set up with a pinned gas block.

About twice a year i get totally crazed about a new AR15 upper in a "better" caliber.

I just never follow through though. I have 1000's of 1X fired Lake City brass i have picked up at the police range over the years. They are just Coyotes, and its only money I guess...

Here is a link to a good deal on brass

www.midwayusa.com

Winchester Lake City 5.56x45mm NATO Brass Bag of 250 (Bulk Packaged)

Winchester Reloading Brass is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances to ensure smooth feeding and positive chambering. Consistent case-to-case...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com


And another

www.brownells.com

WINCHESTER Winchester Bulk Brass 5.56x45 Primed Crimped 4350 bx SKU: 250029325 | Brownells

Check out the WINCHESTER Winchester Bulk Brass 5.56x45 Primed Crimped 4350 bx SKU: 250029325 available Online at Brownells Today and many more Brass products are available in our Reloading Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com
 
I tested my loads using 2230 and 50 grain V-max bullets. I am getting 3100 fps per DU's advice. I'm pretty satisfied. Thank you to everyone that contributed.
 
Rotty said:
Im using a 26gr of WC846 in a 16" bbl with the 55gr vmax, been pretty happy with the results out of 2 different guns, 1/9 and 1/8 twist rifles.
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safety note for OP - and other newer reloaders

using surplus powder like wc846 is heavily lot to lot dependant on what will be a safe charge in your load.

this data mentioned here is also sorely lacking in other critical details - primarily what casing (due to significant volume differences between the wildly variable cases available out there) as well as the lot info on the powder itself, primer, etc

do NOT attempt to use this charge without proper complete load development in your firearm with YOUR specific components and watch for signs of pressure on the primers as you work through the load testing. verify it against other data and then the usual practice is to reduce by 10% for a reasonably safe starting load.

military suplus powders can vary quite a bit on their burn rate on different batches, and therefore you will often find that no two sets of data on what is a safe max charge or even a safe pet load from someone online will be accurate info with your specific set of components.
 
Plant.One said:
safety note for OP - and other newer reloaders

using surplus powder like wc846 is heavily lot to lot dependant on what will be a safe charge in your load.

this data mentioned here is also sorely lacking in other critical details - primarily what casing (due to significant volume differences between the wildly variable cases available out there) as well as the lot info on the powder itself, primer, etc

do NOT attempt to use this charge without proper complete load development in your firearm with YOUR specific components and watch for signs of pressure on the primers as you work through the load testing. verify it against other data and then the usual practice is to reduce by 10% for a reasonably safe starting load.

military suplus powders can vary quite a bit on their burn rate on different batches, and therefore you will often find that no two sets of data on what is a safe max charge or even a safe pet load from someone online will be accurate info with your specific set of components.
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As a tip, buy in bulk, then mix them all together thouroughly, this will ensure that while using it it remains consistent while your loading off what you bought. I've done this with the wc846 and imr 5010 bought back when you could get it cheaper than commercial powders.

But yes if you switch lots, redo the load development at reduced loads.
 
I tried several 55's with h335(25 gr) and fed MAR primers out of my 18" 8 twist suppressed. My velocity was 3050 ish, not what I wanted for thermal(night work). Put the thermal on my 204R with 40 gr bullets, MUCH flatter shooting.
 
I shoot 52gr Speer HP Varmint over 2230. It's an old time bullet that seems to work in everything from my 222 Rem to 22-250AI . Puts them down now and in most cases quite fur friendly. A 22-250 at 20 ft does some damage. I can buy them on sale for under $.10/EA, I think regular is around $.15/EA.
 
Rotty said:
As a tip, buy in bulk, then mix them all together thouroughly, this will ensure that while using it it remains consistent while your loading off what you bought. I've done this with the wc846 and imr 5010 bought back when you could get it cheaper than commercial powders.

But yes if you switch lots, redo the load development at reduced loads.
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buying in bulk and mixing lots has nothing to do with what i posted - other than if someone is actively using milsurp/pulldown powders already... which wasnt where i was going with my comments

my point was more to the fact that the data that you posted, probably doesnt share any relevance to whatever batch of wc846 some new reloader might come across and attempt to use your powder charge data with.
 
Has anyone tried a 40gr bullet in AR. I'm looking at some Nosler 40gr and curious? These should shoot flat at the claimed velocities of Nosler and Sig, running around 3650 FPS. I think I'm going to get a 20" upper for flatter fasting shooting.
 
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