Which powders best?

Swampman1 · April 29, 2013, 07:53 AM

Wondering which powders do you guys recommend for reloading AR-15? I'm looking at 50-55 gr.

JimDandy · April 29, 2013, 08:38 AM

I was fairly happy with some RL-15 behind 77gr Custom Competitions.

kraigwy · April 29, 2013, 08:55 AM

335 is an excellent powder for light weight 223s. 748 is good as is Ball-c.

The most accurate load I see (the one the army uses to test its Mann accuracy device is 25 gr of 3031,pushing a 52 gr SMK, but it doesn't meter well.

As mentioned for heavier gr 77-80 grs R-15 works great but the OP mentioned 50-55 gr.

Best bet is to try several different powders and see what your gun likes.

JimDandy · April 29, 2013, 09:01 AM

By the way Swamp, what's your twist rate? I feel like with my 1:7 I can take the wing off a fly with 77gr, but 55gr factory, I can only make it lift off and fly away.

Boomer58cal · April 29, 2013, 09:27 AM

I use IMR 4895 with 53 g V-max.

mjes92 · April 29, 2013, 10:43 AM

Ramshot X-terminator - (16" carbine barrel loves it)
CFE223 - meters very accurately on a progressive press.
Varget - doesn't meter well on my progressive.

I have used all of these loading 55 gr v-max and Nosler BT. I like working with CFE223 best, but probably get a little better preformance from the X-terminator. All shoot very well from a accurized 24" colt barrel. Sorry I can't remember rate of twist for either barrel.

Good luck finding any of them on the LGS shelves.

Kimber84 · April 29, 2013, 10:48 AM

I've used CFE223, H4895, Varget, and H335. Of all of those, CFE223 has been the best performer, almost tied with 335. CFE223 meters out perfectly, which sometimes is half the battle.

balderclev · April 29, 2013, 02:18 PM

I use 27.6 gr of BLC-2 behind a Hornady 55gr SP/C. Very accurate our of my bolt with 1:9 twist.

Toolman · April 29, 2013, 08:14 PM

H335, TAC, BLC-2, 8208XBR & AR Comp. My AR rifles are 1-9 twist, I shoot 55 thru 77 gr bullets. These powders work well for me.

Bamashooter · April 30, 2013, 12:25 AM

H335, W748, Tac, All are fine powders.

Nathan · April 30, 2013, 04:25 AM

CFE223, TAC and Benchmark come to mind for me.

Swampman1 · May 1, 2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

By the way Swamp, what's your twist rate? I feel like with my 1:7 I can take the wing off a fly with 77gr, but 55gr factory, I can only make it lift off and fly away.

The one I'm looking to pick up(Colt LE6920)has the 1:7 twist.

raddoc · May 6, 2013, 09:45 PM

At least in my 1:7 twist, 20" barrel, H335 under HNDY 55 gr FMJBT will shoot 3/4 MOA at 100 yards. This combination DOESNT work so well in my 1:8 twist Wylde chambered 22" match upper. Another accurate combo in my 1:7 is 60 gr Vmax's with 24 gr H335. Not a hot load, but will shoot sub 3/4 MOA out of that upper...

335, BLC-2 (62 gr and up), VV N135, I4895, I8208 XBR, TAC, and Varget (again heavier side of things) will all work. You have to work up loads for each and let your rifle decide.

RD

April 29, 2013, 07:53 AM	#1
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Which powders best? Wondering which powders do you guys recommend for reloading AR-15? I'm looking at 50-55 gr.

April 29, 2013, 08:55 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	335 is an excellent powder for light weight 223s. 748 is good as is Ball-c. The most accurate load I see (the one the army uses to test its Mann accuracy device is 25 gr of 3031,pushing a 52 gr SMK, but it doesn't meter well. As mentioned for heavier gr 77-80 grs R-15 works great but the OP mentioned 50-55 gr. Best bet is to try several different powders and see what your gun likes. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 29, 2013, 09:27 AM	#5
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I use IMR 4895 with 53 g V-max. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

April 29, 2013, 10:43 AM	#6
mjes92 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: Land of 10,000 taxes Posts: 211	Ramshot X-terminator - (16" carbine barrel loves it) CFE223 - meters very accurately on a progressive press. Varget - doesn't meter well on my progressive. I have used all of these loading 55 gr v-max and Nosler BT. I like working with CFE223 best, but probably get a little better preformance from the X-terminator. All shoot very well from a accurized 24" colt barrel. Sorry I can't remember rate of twist for either barrel. Good luck finding any of them on the LGS shelves. __________________ Dad !!! "It's only going to be perfect if you do it yourself." - my teenage daughter Dad !!! "I'm not scared" My Cancer fighting daughter." Cancer Sucks NRA - Life Member

April 29, 2013, 10:48 AM	#7
Kimber84 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Location: US Posts: 455	Which powders best? I've used CFE223, H4895, Varget, and H335. Of all of those, CFE223 has been the best performer, almost tied with 335. CFE223 meters out perfectly, which sometimes is half the battle.

April 29, 2013, 08:38 AM	#2
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	I was fairly happy with some RL-15 behind 77gr Custom Competitions.

April 29, 2013, 09:01 AM	#4
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	By the way Swamp, what's your twist rate? I feel like with my 1:7 I can take the wing off a fly with 77gr, but 55gr factory, I can only make it lift off and fly away.

April 29, 2013, 02:18 PM	#8
balderclev Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2013 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 120	I use 27.6 gr of BLC-2 behind a Hornady 55gr SP/C. Very accurate our of my bolt with 1:9 twist.

April 29, 2013, 08:14 PM	#9
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	H335, TAC, BLC-2, 8208XBR & AR Comp. My AR rifles are 1-9 twist, I shoot 55 thru 77 gr bullets. These powders work well for me. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

April 30, 2013, 12:25 AM	#10
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	H335, W748, Tac, All are fine powders.

April 30, 2013, 04:25 AM	#11
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	CFE223, TAC and Benchmark come to mind for me.

May 6, 2013, 09:45 PM	#13
raddoc Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 16	At least in my 1:7 twist, 20" barrel, H335 under HNDY 55 gr FMJBT will shoot 3/4 MOA at 100 yards. This combination DOESNT work so well in my 1:8 twist Wylde chambered 22" match upper. Another accurate combo in my 1:7 is 60 gr Vmax's with 24 gr H335. Not a hot load, but will shoot sub 3/4 MOA out of that upper... 335, BLC-2 (62 gr and up), VV N135, I4895, I8208 XBR, TAC, and Varget (again heavier side of things) will all work. You have to work up loads for each and let your rifle decide. RD