Go to powder for AR15 5.56

Tex S · November 13, 2014, 07:15 PM

What is your go to powder for your AR (5.56)?

Why?

Sharkbite · November 13, 2014, 07:26 PM

Good results with CFE 223

Gadawg88 · November 13, 2014, 07:55 PM

I have been using AA 2460 cause that was what was available in bulk when I got started and it worked well for my purposes, range practice with 55 gn bullets. But, I recently worked up a load with H-335 and found it to be very accurate. I liked it so much I jumped on an 8 pounder that came up on Midsouth's website a couple weeks ago. I have some Varget for heavier bullets.

Ritz · November 13, 2014, 08:00 PM

I've been using H4198 without incident for both 55 and 62gr fmj boat tails.

andyjr11 · November 13, 2014, 08:19 PM

H-335 for me, tried a number of other powder at different times but none worked as good.

oldmanFCSA · November 13, 2014, 08:21 PM

H-335, the original design powder for 5.56X45 with 55 grain projectiles.

mboylan · November 13, 2014, 08:45 PM

I have used TAC, H335 and BLC2. Best accuracy is with BLC2 and match bullets. TAC used to be the only powder with 556 pressure data.

Tex S · November 13, 2014, 08:49 PM

Would Varget be a good choice for a range of weights? It is my understand that this powder works very well in this cartridge.

rocket12 · November 13, 2014, 09:26 PM

for me, varget is the main powder for me, hard to beat

Panfisher · November 14, 2014, 08:59 AM

I use BLC-2 and IMR 4895. The BLC-2 runs through the powder dispenser a lot smoother, and the IMR 4895 seems to shoot a little more accurately.

RKG · November 14, 2014, 09:28 AM

Win748. Meters like water, low MV SDs, as accurate as the rifle is. Since the case is small, I use regular (non-magnum) primers and have never had an ignition issue.

mdmtj · November 14, 2014, 09:46 AM

I've been running IMR 8208 XBR with various 55 gr bullets. Meters well, shoots clean, good hits.

RNG · November 14, 2014, 09:57 AM

I've tried a number of different powders but I always got the best performance out of W748.

Jimro · November 14, 2014, 10:27 AM

I only shoot 75gr or heavier bullets for High Power, so my go to powder is Power Pro 2000-MR.

A friend of mine swears by TAC, and the High Master who consistently beats my scores swears by Reloader 15.

Generally any suitable powder will do, but sometimes you'll find one that works particularly well in your rifle.

Jimro

cryogenic419 · November 14, 2014, 05:07 PM

For regular plinking rounds Tac has been my new favorite.

For match ammo its been 8208 XBR.

MEATSAW · November 14, 2014, 08:28 PM

I can't claim to have tried them all but TAC is my favorite so far. Can't imagine it getting much better. Well if I could find it in healthy quantities again. That'd be nice.

MJFlores · November 15, 2014, 05:03 AM

For me, I like H322 in 5.56 (AR) and .223 (bolt gun). I load from 52 grain up to 65 grain and get great accuracy from H322.

Pilot · November 15, 2014, 05:35 AM

I use AA2230 with good results, but I am bought some BLC-2 to tory.

rebs · November 15, 2014, 06:43 AM

I only shoot 55 gr bullets and only two powders, H335 and CFE223.

Gary L. Griffiths · November 15, 2014, 09:44 PM

Varget is an excellent powder for the .223/5.56mm, but I've switched to Alliant's AR-Comp. I get higher velocities with less powder and pressure than Varget. Also, it meters better.

sawdustdad · November 15, 2014, 10:17 PM

W748 for me. Meters well, good accuracy.

madmo44mag · November 15, 2014, 10:19 PM

Varget is my choice.
Works well with all the mid weight bullets, great with the heavy grain buullets and a little more forgiving that some other powders.
The down side is it is an extruded powder and can be a bit of a pain when using a powder drop system to charge cases.

AA2230 is a pretty good choice and it meters very well.
I seem to have some unburned powder regardless of bullet weight in my 16in barrel. My 20 inch barrel it burns complete.

I'd put the IMR 8208 XBR right there with AA2230 as far as performance and it does seem to burn more completely for me.

625cnd · November 15, 2014, 11:40 PM

For pure accuracy Varget can not be beat when it comes to versatility from light to heavy bullets....with accuracy above all.

From an ease of use.....point of view?
H322 for light bullets
H335 for blasting with mid weight bullets only.
TAC for mid to heavy weight bullets with accuracy in mind

rwhit · November 16, 2014, 08:03 AM

H335 is my favorite for 55gr. to 69 gr. bullets.

2ndtimer · November 16, 2014, 09:50 PM

Favorite is Ramshot TAC. Versatile, clean burning, accurate with 40 to 55 gr bullets, have just started testing with the heavier 60 to 77 gr bullets. Also like Varget, 8208XBR, Accurate 2015, Benchmark and H-335. These days, use whatever you can find. As long as it is burning rate appropriate, (between 4198 and 4064 ) it will probably work fine. The only one I have tried that I didn't care for was H-4198. Mediocre accuracy and velocity in my experience, but others swear by it, so obviously, YMMV.

November 13, 2014, 07:15 PM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Go to powder for AR15 5.56 What is your go to powder for your AR (5.56)? Why?

November 13, 2014, 08:21 PM	#6
oldmanFCSA Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 283	H-335, the original design powder for 5.56X45 with 55 grain projectiles. __________________ OldmanFCSA = "Oldman" at www.fcsa.org FCSA Member, SCSA Member, NRA Member, & AMA Member "Oldage & Treachery will overcome Youth & Skill"

November 14, 2014, 09:57 AM	#13
RNG Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 120	I've tried a number of different powders but I always got the best performance out of W748. __________________ __________________________________________________________ Kimbers are what you show your friends. Glocks are what you show your enemies.

November 14, 2014, 10:27 AM	#14
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I only shoot 75gr or heavier bullets for High Power, so my go to powder is Power Pro 2000-MR. A friend of mine swears by TAC, and the High Master who consistently beats my scores swears by Reloader 15. Generally any suitable powder will do, but sometimes you'll find one that works particularly well in your rifle. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

November 14, 2014, 08:28 PM	#16
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 727	I can't claim to have tried them all but TAC is my favorite so far. Can't imagine it getting much better. Well if I could find it in healthy quantities again. That'd be nice. __________________ Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

November 13, 2014, 07:26 PM	#2
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	Good results with CFE 223

November 13, 2014, 07:55 PM	#3
Gadawg88 Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 241	I have been using AA 2460 cause that was what was available in bulk when I got started and it worked well for my purposes, range practice with 55 gn bullets. But, I recently worked up a load with H-335 and found it to be very accurate. I liked it so much I jumped on an 8 pounder that came up on Midsouth's website a couple weeks ago. I have some Varget for heavier bullets.

November 13, 2014, 08:00 PM	#4
Ritz Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 283	I've been using H4198 without incident for both 55 and 62gr fmj boat tails.

November 13, 2014, 08:19 PM	#5
andyjr11 Member Join Date: March 27, 2013 Posts: 40	H-335 for me, tried a number of other powder at different times but none worked as good.

November 13, 2014, 08:45 PM	#7
mboylan Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Posts: 120	I have used TAC, H335 and BLC2. Best accuracy is with BLC2 and match bullets. TAC used to be the only powder with 556 pressure data.

November 13, 2014, 08:49 PM	#8
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Would Varget be a good choice for a range of weights? It is my understand that this powder works very well in this cartridge.

November 13, 2014, 09:26 PM	#9
rocket12 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 148	for me, varget is the main powder for me, hard to beat

November 14, 2014, 08:59 AM	#10
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	I use BLC-2 and IMR 4895. The BLC-2 runs through the powder dispenser a lot smoother, and the IMR 4895 seems to shoot a little more accurately.

November 14, 2014, 09:28 AM	#11
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	Win748. Meters like water, low MV SDs, as accurate as the rifle is. Since the case is small, I use regular (non-magnum) primers and have never had an ignition issue.

November 14, 2014, 09:46 AM	#12
mdmtj Member Join Date: March 4, 2013 Posts: 80	I've been running IMR 8208 XBR with various 55 gr bullets. Meters well, shoots clean, good hits.

November 14, 2014, 05:07 PM	#15
cryogenic419 Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 569	For regular plinking rounds Tac has been my new favorite. For match ammo its been 8208 XBR.

November 15, 2014, 05:03 AM	#17
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	For me, I like H322 in 5.56 (AR) and .223 (bolt gun). I load from 52 grain up to 65 grain and get great accuracy from H322.

November 15, 2014, 05:35 AM	#18
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	I use AA2230 with good results, but I am bought some BLC-2 to tory. __________________ Pilot

November 15, 2014, 06:43 AM	#19
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I only shoot 55 gr bullets and only two powders, H335 and CFE223.

November 15, 2014, 09:44 PM	#20
Gary L. Griffiths Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: AZ, WA Posts: 1,466	Varget is an excellent powder for the .223/5.56mm, but I've switched to Alliant's AR-Comp. I get higher velocities with less powder and pressure than Varget. Also, it meters better. __________________ Violence is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and valorous feeling which believes that nothing is worth violence is much worse. Those who have nothing for which they are willing to fight; nothing they care about more than their own craven apathy; are miserable creatures who have no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the valor of those better than themselves. Gary L. Griffiths (Paraphrasing John Stuart Mill)

November 15, 2014, 10:17 PM	#21
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	W748 for me. Meters well, good accuracy.

November 15, 2014, 10:19 PM	#22
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	Varget is my choice. Works well with all the mid weight bullets, great with the heavy grain buullets and a little more forgiving that some other powders. The down side is it is an extruded powder and can be a bit of a pain when using a powder drop system to charge cases. AA2230 is a pretty good choice and it meters very well. I seem to have some unburned powder regardless of bullet weight in my 16in barrel. My 20 inch barrel it burns complete. I'd put the IMR 8208 XBR right there with AA2230 as far as performance and it does seem to burn more completely for me. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

November 15, 2014, 11:40 PM	#23
625cnd Member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 33	For pure accuracy Varget can not be beat when it comes to versatility from light to heavy bullets....with accuracy above all. From an ease of use.....point of view? H322 for light bullets H335 for blasting with mid weight bullets only. TAC for mid to heavy weight bullets with accuracy in mind

November 16, 2014, 08:03 AM	#24
rwhit Junior Member Join Date: October 31, 2010 Posts: 7	H335 is my favorite for 55gr. to 69 gr. bullets.

November 16, 2014, 09:50 PM	#25
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 293	Favorite is Ramshot TAC. Versatile, clean burning, accurate with 40 to 55 gr bullets, have just started testing with the heavier 60 to 77 gr bullets. Also like Varget, 8208XBR, Accurate 2015, Benchmark and H-335. These days, use whatever you can find. As long as it is burning rate appropriate, (between 4198 and 4064 ) it will probably work fine. The only one I have tried that I didn't care for was H-4198. Mediocre accuracy and velocity in my experience, but others swear by it, so obviously, YMMV. __________________ NRA Endowment Member

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