Best .223 load for AR's?

[acdundore]

I'm contemplating purchasing an AR, and have also thought about what type of ammo to reload if I buy one. I would be using the gun for plinking as well as varmints and possibly coyotes. So far, I have been looking into a possible combination of 50 gr. Hornady V-max + Benchmark or Varget powder. Let me know if any of you are familiar with this or have any other suggestions that have worked for you.

[Valornor]

If I were to do it I'd get a barrel with a faster twist. 1in7 so I could shoot the 69gr slugs. If it's for plinking or varmint hunting the heavier bullets will give you a little better down range performance.

I personally like H335 for my AR.

[NWPilgrim]

I have found Varget is better with the 64-77 gr bullets. For 69 gr and under I prefer BLC2, H335 and heard good things of IMR8208XBR.

[steve4102]

Get a 1-9 twist, it will shoot bullet from 45-75gr.

[Jeff2131]

55gr HP using 26gr of IMR4320 and cci primers

[Wyoredman]

Varget works good in the .223, but it is a pain to get through the small case mouth. Also, Upper end Varget loads sometimes don't fit in the .223 very well.

I suggest CFE223 by Hodgdon or H335. Both are ball powders and fit .223 cases really well. They also meter great!

[MEATSAW]

Yup my varget load pretty much fills up a. .223 case to the brim. A nice *crunch* when I seat the bullet but it sure shoots good. I'm using a 55gr SP with their max load and I am about 120 fps from their listed velocity. But, it's getting 3/4 MOA groups so I can't complain

[rebs]

H335 with a Hornady 55 gr soft point, excellent accuracy and expansion, good for plinking and varmint hunting. I use this load in both a 16" 1 in 8 and a 20" 1 in 9 barrels no problem.

[A_Gamehog]

1-9 Twist AR-15
Lake City Brass
CCI-450 primers or Rem 71/2
Varget or 8208XBR
53 V-Max for varmints
or 68,69 match for paper

[Stavman11]

Agree 1000% with Rebs

CFE223 or H335.... Varget is tuff ta Dispense.. but is a good powder if you can constently drop it...

Hornady 55gr SP's are great at 100yds and More...
Also 55gr HP's are also Great 100yd shooters but do drop more at Longer yards

Get one and have a BLAST

[mdmtj]

I've recently began loading for a pair of AR 15s with 1:7 twist. I started with VIHTAVUORI N133 and the MidwayUSA Moontown 55 gr HPFB and got excellant results. Got tired of the price and switched to IMR 8208 XBR for about half the cost of the VV. The IMR is giving me performance about equal to the VV with the same bullet. The VV is an excellent powder and burns very clean but I just couldn't justify the cost.

[bumnote]

I've been using Benchmark for 62gr and higher and it's my prefered power for my AR. It's twist is 1:9. Dispenses very easily, especially compared to Varget and it's been consistent and burns clean for me. I've also had great results with Varget, but Benchmark is easier to dispense.

[Mohave-Tec]

My very best load in 9 calibers of reloading is a 60gr Hornady V Max over 25grs Varget through at 1/9 twist rate Savage Axis. Yep. Amazing and repeatable. (because it is so amazing it just got a Timney trigger and a Boyd's stock) That being said, I have recently started making these rounds more assembly fassion on my Lee Classic Turret Press because it makes these rounds just as well as my step by meticulous step RCBS Rock Chucker. I'm using the Lee for two reasons. 1) It's much faster and 2) it is the best way by far that I have found to meter Varget. That is the .82cc plate over the 1.02cc plate. All you have to do is listen for the spill to complete and never miss a beat. Never chops the extruded powder. Never fluctuates in measure. This round shoots sub MOA in my 1/7 twist BCM AR15 as well.
For the same reasons I started using my Lee over my RCBS I also quite using H335 in favor of Benchmark for my range/plinking rounds. No matter the method used, H335 leaked everywhere. The Lee auto charger LOVES larger grains and I haven't seen a granule of powder on my bench since. Good thing, I load in my office. LOL.