Powder recommendation for AR

[97th Signalman]

I am preparing to reload for my .223 AR's. I have a 16 inch Bushmaster carbine and a Bushmaster Stainless Varminter with a 24 inch barrel. I load 55gr FMJ/BT bullets. What is you powder recommendation for target shooting with these rifles?

I am considering the following powders:

1. Hogdon H4198
2. Accurate Arms 2230
3. Vihtavouri N133
4. Winchester 748
5. Hogdon BL-C(2)

[rep30cal]

6. All the above.

I have used loads with 748 Win, BL-C(2), IMR 4064 and IMR 4198, everything
you have listed works good. I have a load using 748 Win. that likes both my
16" carbine and 20" HBAR, the accuracy difference is only 1/2" at 100 yards
between the two rifles. Use this as a guide only, work up your loads to your
liking.

WCC or LC military brass
55g FMJ-BT Win. bullet
25.6 gr. 748 Win. powder
CCI 450 primer
COL 2.200

[Rocky]

I have always liked Hogden H335 ball powder
works good and little fouling in AR-15

Rocky

[Woodman in MO]

I use 24g of AA 2230 sitting behind a 55g Spitzer SP. That is straight out of the Speer manual. It is GE Accuracy. (Good Enough)

I haven't experimented much with the .223.

[bullseye]

I use Varget with good results. Seems to burn cleaner than factory for me. I load 25.5 gr with a 55 FMJ. Haven't tried it for accuracy yet, but every round fired so far has cycled & ejected like it is supposed to. I have only loaded & fired 500 so far to test reliability, next comes accuracy tweaking. I also have BL-C(2) on hand to try.

[robocop10mm]

I use 748 with BLC-2 as a fall back. They both work well in everything from .223 to .30-06. I do not like to buy special powders for individual cartridges. I use 3031 in the .45-70 and IMR (I can't remember off hand) for .25-06.

My load for .223- 25 gr W-748, Wiin 64 gr PP, Win small rifle primer (Std) in a Winchester commercial case (not WCC). 1/2" through A2 HBAR and 3/4" through Colt Govt carbine. Both 1/7 bbls.

This load duplicates the Win factory load for velocity and shoots a bit better for accuracy than factory.

[mrbgt]

24.3 of h335 for mine

[CHSnake]

I have a rock river upper that is truly picky, it doesn't like any 55 gr loads as far as functioning, 62 and above seem to work ok as far as factory loads but the magic pill has been loads built with a 69 gr sierra and W748, functions well with outstanding accurracy.

[Rocky]

I have a Tikka .223 bolt gun 20" barrel 1-8" twist, sub 1" groups at 100 yard
almost hole on top of hole with 75 grain A-max with 24 grains of 3031 IMR
3170 fps-3206 fps real match grade load also runs good in 24" AR-15
always work your way up on loading, and use a chrony to know where you stand fps wise.

Rocky

[Herzo]

Varget is my first choice - Clean and accurate.

[Hoot]

Varget is my first choice - Clean and accurate.

+1 to Varget. 25gr behind 55gr bullet.

Hoot

[GreenWolf]

I only use Varget for the .223, but I've never loaded any 55gr bullets. I load the heavier bullets. No complaints.