Go to powder for AR15 5.56

[skizzums]

I have specific favorites. 4064 for 75-77gr. H355 for 55-62gr. But for all around, I have started leaning towards h322 because the powder saving is incredible. Depending on the bullet you could be saving 3+ gr per bullets, that adds up fast when loading a thousand rounds. I have also just started playing with CFE and so far so good.

[Tex S]

Something that meters well is a must, since I will be using a lee auto disk measure. I have used ball and flake powders with this measure and they work well. Does anybody know if extruded stick powders work well with this measure? If so, how accurately will it throw??? Plus or minus .3gr?

[Hunter0924]

I like IMR 4895 for 5.56/.223

[P-990]

Depends on the bullet weights, intended usage and what I can get my hands on. Here is what I've tried in my ARs so far:

For making generic 55gr ball-type loads, I like H335 quite a bit, but recently had to substitute in H4895 and have been equally happy. Also in the running is Winchester 748, though it takes slightly higher powder charges than the other two.

For throwing medium to heavy-weight match bullets (69-80gr), Varget is my #1 choice. Option 2 (if it's available when Option 1 isn't, unlike right now) is RL-15. Results were equal for me with either. I've also played a little with H4895 here but results were inconclusive. By the burn rate charts, load data and other people's experience, it should be fine.

I suspect next time I go to pickup a pound of powder at the LGS, I'm going to end up stumbling on yet another powder that will work in .223. H322 and IMR 3031 are on the list of things I've heard and read will work, along with Accurate 2230. We'll see what is available when the time comes.

[Mule]

I stocked up on WC846 shortly before the powder/bullet/primer shortage. Still chipping away at my stash. Performs well enough with 55, 60, 62 and 65 grain bullets for my needs.

[Tex S]

TAC is a spherical propellant, correct? Does it meter well in a Lee auto disk?

[smarquez]

Varget does give a little trouble with my RCBS powder drop but it works well for me. I used 24.5 grs. in LC brass, Win SRP to push a 52 gr. Sierra match BTHP to the best accuracy that I can shoot. This was in a PSA barrel 1-7" twist.
I would like to try some of the other powders mentioned though to find something that will work better in my thrower.
Doing some research earlier it looked like IMR4895 gave lower velocities at the same pressure.

[rebs]

I didn't see anyone mentioning ar comp powder. I have tried it but coud not find an accurate load with it and 55 gr bullets.

[Jimro]

Tex S,

Yes, TAC is spherical and yes it meters well in a Lee Autodisk. All spherical powders meter well in a Lee autodisk.

Biggest complaint about TAC is that it is so fine that when it spills or leaks it behaves like water too.

TAC is good for heavier pills in 223, as is Power Pro 2000-MR.

Jimro

[Bart B.]

Stick/extruded powders in the 4895 speed range have produced best accuracy in .223 Rem size cases. No ball/spherical powder's done as well. Metered charges to a 2/10ths grain spread will shoot bullets of all weights through the right twist barrels into 1/2 MOA through 500 or 600 yards with ease. If the rifle's, ammo's and shooter's details are up to it.

[603Country]

I always got best accuracy with H335 behind the 40 grainers. Varget worked great with the 55 grainers, and AA2230 was best for me behind the 65 gr Sierra GK. BL(C)-2 was almost as good with the 40 grainers and maybe is as good, though the jury is still out on that. Got super accuracy with H335 behind the new Nosler 64gr BSB, but only at max.

Next task is to try IMR3031 in the 223. Research suggests that Bart is right about the stick powder (not a big surprise there), and Cabela's had plenty of 3031. I now have plenty of 3031, but will wait till after deer season to do the load work ups.

The above is all shot through my Ruger Hawkeye, with Nosler and Lapua cases and with CCI BR4 primers. Your results may vary. :-)

As an aside, that tiny Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip just flat destroys coyotes, all out of proportion to its size. And if a big hog will ever show up at my place again, I'll tell you how the 64 gr BSB does.

[9MMand223only]

lets see, I specialize in the 223 and have tested these powders, in detail, with several bullets and weights.

Accurate 2230
Accurate 2460
Accurate 2495
Hodgdon Benchmark
Hodgdon Varget
Norma 203b
IMR 4895
Ramshot TAC
VV133
VV135
VV140
IMR 4166 (new powder)

Of allllll those powders in several AR platforms, I can say now with confidence, that the overall best powder for the what I own ranks something like this:

55 grain bullets.

Accurate 2230
VV 133
Hodgdon Benchmark

69 grain Bullets. Different story.
#1 VV N135
IMR 4166
VV N140
Varget

TAC is good for target practice, its cheap, easier to get, meters GREAT, and its good accuracy. But its not the best at anything I have tested, its just simply "good" at everything.

IMR 4895 is SUPER accurate, but its major flaw is in 55 grain bullets you have to STUFF the thing, its all the way to the top, and it doesn't meter great.

Varget doesn't meter good either and its top tier accurate, especially using ~25.3 grains in 69 grain SMK. I would rate it better if it was a better metering powder, but its not good at that at all. Its also not great in 55 grain bullets. And its not real high velocity in lighter loads either. Its higher velocity in heavy 223 though. Its a safer powder too, because you can almost stuff the case with it, hard to overcharge. Overflowing is still under what you can do in some cases.

VV powders just perform, its really good, all of them. THe accuracy from the N135 using the 69 SMK is unbelievable in an AR platform. 5 shot groups under 4" at ~550 yards is very top tier I think. Not to mention the N135 is not only accurate in the 69 grain, its one of the highest velocities too. Its like a dream powder.

VV N140 good all around.

Accurate 2230 meters so good, like TAC and a few others. Top tier metering. Top tier. And also AA2230 is one of the highest velocity powders that is also top tier accurate. For example, using near max load in a 55 grain, I get near 3400 FPS. Using RAMSHOT TAC near max load I get near 3100 FPS. Thats 300 FPS, and the AA2230 is slightly more accurate.

These are my findings, I hope I helped.

Pics attached: the IMR4166 is at 100 yards, AR15. I think that is 69 grain Seirra Match Kings at like 24.2 grains, with an OAL near 2.250. Dimes cover the groups.

The Varget pic is a quarter in the middle of a 5 shot group at ~550 YARDS. Using 69 grain Nosler Custom Competitions. 25.3 grains.

Brass has been reloaded probably 5-7 times, using CCI small rifle primers in both. Brass is all mixed brands, and the brass length ranges from 2.235-2.252