hand loads for an ar-15

44-40 · December 27, 2007, 11:25 AM

I bought a bushmaster hbar target flat top scoped it and none of my bolt gun loads shoot well in it, I'm shooting 55 gr fmj and psp, does anybody have a good load for this that also cycles the action??

Walipala · December 27, 2007, 01:59 PM

I've never shot hand loads in my AR, but in the next couple of days I'll be trying some (in my Colt SP-1, a plain ol' AR15 with 20" thin barrel, 1:12" twist). The loads are Hornady 53gr HPBTs and 55 FMJs, both loaded over 25.0gr of W748. I'll post my results next week.

rrp · December 27, 2007, 03:50 PM

second the 55gr sp with 25 gr win 748. Great results with my riflles with1-10 1-12 twist barrels. I had to go to a heavier bullet in my 1-7 twist because of bullets breaking apart.

fourrobert13 · December 27, 2007, 06:33 PM

blasting load is 22gr grain og Tac pushing a 55 gr fmj coal of 2.20

accuracy load is 23 gr of h335 pushing a 68 gr hpbt coal of 2.255

rg1 · December 28, 2007, 04:36 AM

Hodgdon H335 powder 24.5-25.3 grains--Hornady 55fmj o.a.l. 2.220"
Win 748 powder 26.4 grains--Hornady 55fmj (Hornady recommends 2.200")
The above with RP brass and RP 7 1/2 primers in 20" 1/7 twist AR at 90 degrees outside temperature. These loads shot best in my AR.
Hornady 55fmj's have a blunter tip than some 55 fmj's such as Win or military which have a sharper pointed tip. I load these to 2.250" overall length. Your results may not be the same as mine.
Velocity for 24.5-25.3 grains of H335 was 3080-3162fps
Velocity for 26.4 grains of Win748 was 3028fps in my rifle.

Bullet94 · December 30, 2007, 05:42 PM

You might look here -

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

They have Sierra data.

marks655 · January 6, 2008, 02:50 PM

Depends on what you want to shoot. My stock A2 Bushmaster shoots under 1 MOA with pretty-much anything up to 69 grain bullets.

's shoot down to 52-55 gr bullets with good accuracy even with a 1:9 or 1:8.5 twist.

I began using AA2230 and 69 gr bullets in the early 90's then went to W748 and 55gr Sierra's - recently been using H335 and Hodgdon Benchmark powder - the Benchmark is similar to Varget, I think.

My AR's always seem more accurate with mild loads. Never had a load that wouldn't cycle.

Best loads for accuracy have been:

26.5 gr W748, Sierra Gameking 55 gr BTHP
23.5 gr Benchmark, same as above
I use Remington 7 1/2 primers but Winchester SR is fine.
I use Norma brass to work-up loads but Winchester for prarie dog hunts.

Brass life seems almost infinite.

Hope this helps.

Ralph Allen · January 6, 2008, 04:40 PM

My Bushmaster likes 22.0 gr H335 w/55gr, but likes 22.0gr H335 w/69gr better. I've been working up loads with 75 grain bullets also, but it's been too cold to go out and try these lately.
Ralph

December 27, 2007, 11:25 AM	#1
44-40 Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 180	hand loads for an ar-15 I bought a bushmaster hbar target flat top scoped it and none of my bolt gun loads shoot well in it, I'm shooting 55 gr fmj and psp, does anybody have a good load for this that also cycles the action??

December 27, 2007, 03:50 PM	#3
rrp Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Location: west central Wi Posts: 300	ar load second the 55gr sp with 25 gr win 748. Great results with my riflles with1-10 1-12 twist barrels. I had to go to a heavier bullet in my 1-7 twist because of bullets breaking apart.

December 27, 2007, 06:33 PM	#4
fourrobert13 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: South West Ohio Posts: 336	blasting load is 22gr grain og Tac pushing a 55 gr fmj coal of 2.20 accuracy load is 23 gr of h335 pushing a 68 gr hpbt coal of 2.255 __________________ Be aware of yourself and everything around you.

December 30, 2007, 05:42 PM	#6
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	You might look here - http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html They have Sierra data. __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

December 27, 2007, 01:59 PM	#2
Walipala Member Join Date: September 24, 2007 Posts: 49	I've never shot hand loads in my AR, but in the next couple of days I'll be trying some (in my Colt SP-1, a plain ol' AR15 with 20" thin barrel, 1:12" twist). The loads are Hornady 53gr HPBTs and 55 FMJs, both loaded over 25.0gr of W748. I'll post my results next week.

December 28, 2007, 04:36 AM	#5
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Hodgdon H335 powder 24.5-25.3 grains--Hornady 55fmj o.a.l. 2.220" Win 748 powder 26.4 grains--Hornady 55fmj (Hornady recommends 2.200") The above with RP brass and RP 7 1/2 primers in 20" 1/7 twist AR at 90 degrees outside temperature. These loads shot best in my AR. Hornady 55fmj's have a blunter tip than some 55 fmj's such as Win or military which have a sharper pointed tip. I load these to 2.250" overall length. Your results may not be the same as mine. Velocity for 24.5-25.3 grains of H335 was 3080-3162fps Velocity for 26.4 grains of Win748 was 3028fps in my rifle.

January 6, 2008, 02:50 PM	#7
marks655 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 363	Depends on what you want to shoot. My stock A2 Bushmaster shoots under 1 MOA with pretty-much anything up to 69 grain bullets. 's shoot down to 52-55 gr bullets with good accuracy even with a 1:9 or 1:8.5 twist. I began using AA2230 and 69 gr bullets in the early 90's then went to W748 and 55gr Sierra's - recently been using H335 and Hodgdon Benchmark powder - the Benchmark is similar to Varget, I think. My AR's always seem more accurate with mild loads. Never had a load that wouldn't cycle. Best loads for accuracy have been: 26.5 gr W748, Sierra Gameking 55 gr BTHP 23.5 gr Benchmark, same as above I use Remington 7 1/2 primers but Winchester SR is fine. I use Norma brass to work-up loads but Winchester for prarie dog hunts. Brass life seems almost infinite. Hope this helps.

January 6, 2008, 04:40 PM	#8
Ralph Allen Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2007 Posts: 436	My Bushmaster likes 22.0 gr H335 w/55gr, but likes 22.0gr H335 w/69gr better. I've been working up loads with 75 grain bullets also, but it's been too cold to go out and try these lately. Ralph