Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles My brother ordered his first AR, looking for reloading resources

This is on the way:




I’ve never loaded for a semi-auto anything. What do I need to know about loading for an AR? Recommended resources?

The twist is 1-8”, what is a good, cheap bullet to start with? I can order factory seconds from Shooter’s Pro Shop. I already have a bunch of 50 gr Ballistic Tips but I’m concerned that the twist isn’t optimal.

I use CCI 400 primers but from what I’ve read they’re not optimal for the AR. Any suggestions?

Crimp or no?

Finally, I have Benchmark and Varget in solid supply, any recommendations for loads?


Thanks,



P

I'd like to be helpful, but I've stubbornly stuck to lighter bullets (until very recently, as posted just a while ago). The 70-grain Accubonds probably don't fall in the "cheap" category, but I could tell they wanted to shoot in my two ARs of the 5.56 persuasion. Could very well be that the cheapest Hornadys would act the same, I dunno.

Where I can be helpful is on the subject of primers. I have never had any issues with primers like the CCI 400, but it is often said that it's much better to go with something like the 450 or the No.41. I think Federal is offering a special SR primer now specifically for ARs but I do not recall the name...AR Gold or some such? I believe Remington 7-1/2s are good to go in ARs also. As I said, I've never had issues using any small rifle primer (while avoiding Remington 6-1/2s, of course), but why learn the hard way? Experience can be a hard teacher.

Good luck on your quest.

68 / 69 grain bullet and varget is a good start.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/pro...&query_type_caliber-range-sort-by=or

https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/pro...&query_type_caliber-range-sort-by=or

68 Hornady's go on sale a lot as do the 75BTHPs. You can't go wrong with Varget. Or AR Comp, or H4895 or 8208 or.... several others.

I buy whatever SR primer is cheapest except for 400s, WSRs or 6 1/2s. They all work well with one load or another, but I prefer magnums. I've been shooting the heck out of Wolf right now. They come so cheap already loaded into virgin brass it's hard to pass up. They win matches too.

Take a look at the Sierra 65gr Gameking, should work in the 8 twist on that rifle.

I've only tried TAC with those but Varget should work. Sierra might have data, Hodgdon doesn't list a 65gr bullet in their online data.

If you're going to load a bunch, the ball powders (TAC, CFE223, ...) might be a better choice than extruded powders?
I use a Lee Perfect Powder Measure to drop TAC and it's very accurate.

I also lightly crimp my loads with a Lee Factory Crimp Die. Started this for Lever Gun reloads and the practice has carried over to about everything else.

Hope this helps.

Crap only answered some of your questions.

For dies I have the cheaper Hornady American Series dies, they work good, maybe not Tier 1 but good enough for my loads.

As for primers, I found some CCI 450s at a decent price so that's all I've ever used.

65gr SGK's as someone above stated. I'm using H335 and CCI 400's with them though in a 1-7" with really good results. Haven't had any issues with 400's, YMMV.

Thanks for the replies. I have a bunch of TAC, too, so include that in any recommendations.




P

55 grain soft points in bulk are a good start. 63 grain Seirra SMP's are another. I like AA2230 (25 grains under a 55 g SP) AA2460 25.3 g 55g SP) or AA2460, 25.1 g under a 63 gr Sierra SMP. The old stand by is 25.6 grains of Benchmark and a 55 grain SP.

kwg

PH,
Congratulations to your brother. We look forward to a range report.

I've have very good luck with TAC.

52gr NCC seconds from the Shooters Proshop is my goto bullet for most applications. It's very accurate in my rifles and reasonably priced. I shoot them in 1 in 8 twists with no issues. 1 in 8 is a good all round twist for most users.

For primers, I shoot 450's with most of my ball powders, but I've found the S&B give better groups with TAC.

Third daughters rifle loves Benchmark behind the 40gr Nosler Flatbase bullets.

I've also shot a lot of H335 and BL(c)2 behind 50-55 gr bullets lit with CCI 450's. Both provide great results, but stay about a grain off max. It is a temp sensitive power, and prairie dogs like hot summer days.

AS, I don't want to assume anything at all. Do you mean you hunt with it also? If so, how well compared to other bullets commonly used for hunting?

Great prairie dog bullet, and I've killed a few coyotes with them, but the exits are usually pretty large. Minimum caliber for shooting real game in this state is .243. For that I have a 6x45 which I load with real hunting bullets.

I just ordered some 6mm 90gr Accubonds to try in 6x45. In .224 I picked up some 70gr AB's and some of the 77gr RDF to try out.

Ball powders don't get any better with volume.

As long as you watch out for bridges, thrown charges of stick powder can be more accurate than thrown charges of ball even if the ball is all +/-0.05gr and the stick is +/-0.2. That, and you get better temp stability.

ETA: I've been throwing ARComp and it seems to be +/-0.1gr. 8208 throws very well too. And Varget, it doesn't matter how bad it meters, it still shoots bugholes.

I’ve had good results with the 53 grain Varmegeddons from SPS for a cheap bullet.
Benchmark is going to do anything worth doing with the 50 grain class bullets in accuracy and velocity.
I’ve never had a slam fire with WSR or CCI 400’s but maybe I’m just lucky.
I don’t crimp my AR loads or use small base dies. Using standard FL dies there has always been plenty of neck tension to securely hold the bullets.

Glad you mentioned that one. Yes, great shooting bullet.

Varget/RL15 will be WAY too compressed to get 5.56 velocities out of that rig, and as a Wylde chamber you'll likely be just fine shooting at them. I'm a varget/RL15 fan, to be sure, but they just don't have the oomph for higher speed out of a small round like 5.56.

I run 77 SMKs through several of my guns at 25.2 grains of AA2520, which is over max for their .223 data but not even close to max (and I don't see any pressure signs there) in their 5.56 section. Obviously work up to that.

Definitely get some 2520 though, it meters like a dream and gets fantastic speed without making turkey patterns.

I have 4 guns that run that combo MOA or better to 300 (furthest I've really gone with it), and the one rig I've chrono'd is a 16" Semi-Holland-Esque build that puts em a little under 2750. Flippin smokin.

(OPS collar and brake will replace the yankee hill doohickey soon as the applicable suppressor is out of NFA jail; for the meantime I'll keep the fugly YHM mount so i can shoot suppressed)

I use rcbs 5.56 small base dies, I been shooting heavies out of mine. But did work a load up using 55gr hornady fun. Natchez has them on sale right now 7.99 a 100. I was going to order some until they wanted to charge $62 bucks to ship them to Alaska. I only used tac with a 75gr load. I use cfe223 with my 55gr load. Far as primers, I use either Remington 7 1/2 or WSR.. but can’t go wrong with cci450 i have messed with cci400 as well, with no issues.

what's the TAC Load for the 75 BTHP?

LC brass, rem 7-1/2 and?

Between 23.5 and 25.5gr
You probably won't get anywhere near 25.5 without moly.

AR loading, compiled from reading about 1000 posts here on the subject, but largely confirmed by myself:

1. Get ASC Stainless mags.
2. You probably don't need small base dies.
3. You don't need to crimp.
4. 55 gr. Hornadys with cannelure are decent GP bullet at a great price.
5. Bump shoulders back about .003"
6. 65 gr Game Kings are a better GP bullet, maybe not for rodents. 1-8 is plenty.
7. There's about 20 good powders, .223/5.56 is like .308, shoots well with double base horse manure. I like CFE 223 for heavies, 8208 for lights; Varget and TAC are keepers. I haven't tried AR Comp or 4895, they are on the list, just haven't gotten there.
8.Your 50's will probably be just fine, I've got a load for 40 gr BT and 8208 that shoots wonderfully in a 1-7. Need to shoot the Black Rifle Challenge.
9. Rem 7 1/2, CCI 450 and CCI 41 seem to be preferred due to the AR firing pin.
10. If your brass lands at about 4:00 you are gassed about right.

And finally:

Barrels will be burned.