Powders for AR's

**dodge** · June 14th, 2007, 11:44 AM

I'm in the process of getting an AR and am wondering what powders do you use to load for it. Currently I have on hand is 748, IMR 4198 and H322. I also have mostly 50 gr. V-Max that I also use in my Remington 700 VLS. If it's better to use a heavier bullet, then in the very near future I'll get some. Oh, yeah, the Ar will be a Stag Arms a 16" barrel if that helps.

**K31** · June 14th, 2007, 03:35 PM

I like the 52gr SMK backed by 26gr of H335 lit by a CCI primer. This load is very accurate in my Bushmaster. I imagine it would shoot good in a Remington 700 VLS.

**aubie515** · June 14th, 2007, 03:50 PM

What twist barrel will determine which bullet weight. I like using Varget for 223 and 308, so my recommendation would be Varget.

Hornady manual shows
IMR 4198
IMR 3031
H322
H335
BL-C2
Win748

And some others I don't feel like typing the entire list.

**VeryPrivate** · June 15th, 2007, 09:20 AM

For .223 I use:

AA2230
AA2520
Reloader 15

**imashooter2** · June 15th, 2007, 09:38 AM

My favorite powders for .223 Rem are Alliant 10X and Varget. 10X is very good for light bullets like your 50 grain V-MAX.

**Mr White** · June 15th, 2007, 12:30 PM

I'm fairly new to reloading but I've had pertty good succes so far with H4895.

**cosmo05** · June 20th, 2007, 07:50 PM

For AR's I use Varget and BLC(2) for 55 and 62 gr FMJ or HP. Both work well.
I have a Rem Mod. 700 VS 1/12 twist w/Nikon scope that will drive 10 thru a dime sized hole at 100 yds. with 26.0 grs. BLC(2) and a 50 gr. V-Max. I can not get a 55 gr to repeat that pattern, too heavy for the twist.
The rifling twist is what will determine how heavy a slug you can fire from your AR. I have Colts and Bushmasters, 1/7 and 1/9, they handle the 62 gr well, 55 gr. ok too.

**Lycanthrope** · June 20th, 2007, 11:33 PM

I like Varget, because it's pretty much impossible to blow yourself up.

That and it makes .24 inch groups with 77gr Noslers out of my last build.

Lycananditmetersdecentforsmallstickthrope

**gear-head** · June 26th, 2007, 08:06 PM

55gr HPBT with Hodgdon H4895. Works well for me for my 223's and 308's

**Seneca Arms Co. Inc.** · June 26th, 2007, 08:33 PM

I tend to shoot Varget for National Match Course. 24.5g under 77 Sierra MK with CCI BR primers in Win commercial brass. That is a hammer load for 200 and 300 yds. For 600 yds I shoot 24.8-25g Varget with JLK 80 VLDs jammed .020 into the throat. These loads should be worked up slow as chamber dimensions vary a bunch.

I also like Ram shot TAC as it is in about the same burning rate as Varget, but meters easy as it is ball powder. I use it for practice and local matches. Ball powders tend to be more temp. sensitive and pressures can jump during hot days if you are running loads near the top.

Winchester 748 with light bullets is hard to beat. I like 26.5g under 52 Sierra match kings for 100yd and 200 yd accuracy.