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Bristoe Offline OP
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I'm particularly interested in ammo that uses surplus 55 grain FMJ bullets. But I'm interested in hearing whatever you like.

I've loaded a truckload of 5.56 over the years but I never got very involved in loading for accuracy. I was mostly just interested in putting together something which would approximate military surplus 55 grain stuff.

Currently, I'm using a lot of Ramshot X-terminator because it's very close to H322 in burning rate and I bought a lot of it when it was cheap and widely available.

Anyway,....what works for you guys?

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I just built a retro A1 and I’ve found it likes 27.0 gr. CFE223 with WSR in LC brass, I get right at 3000 with it, and it’s fairly accurate.

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Bristoe, damn near anything beats milsurp.


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Robert S. McNamara had a recipe, but then he was no stranger to stupid.

Stay away from ball powders is my suggestion.


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Originally Posted by m1rifleman
Bristoe, damn near anything beats milsurp.


Beats it for what?

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26 grains of varget and 55 grain Sierra game kings is what I load for my AR. It is a stock DPMS with a 4x scope and it shoots a 3/4 to 1" 5 shot group at 100 yds. That should about cover it for hunting or anything else.

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I've slain many, many prairie dogs with the .223, using this recipe.

50gr. V Max
26.0 Benchmark
Federal primers
FC cases (I don't like 'em, but the price was right).

It shoots good in most rifles with the 1-12" or 1-9" twist. It's not a max load, either, so you can use it in just about anything.


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Originally Posted by ratsmacker
I've slain many, many prairie dogs with the .223, using this recipe.

50gr. V Max
26.0 Benchmark
Federal primers
FC cases (I don't like 'em, but the price was right).

It shoots good in most rifles with the 1-12" or 1-9" twist. It's not a max load, either, so you can use it in just about anything.


I was lookin' for one of these.
Thanks RS.


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Originally Posted by DigitalDan
Robert S. McNamara had a recipe, but then he was no stranger to stupid.

Stay away from ball powders is my suggestion.



There have been advances since then.

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You certain? laugh

Rumor Central sez IMR3031 is good. I dunno, never loaded the round.


I am..........disturbed.

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Robert McNamara the Duke of Edsel.

Now, back to.223 reloading. I’m taking notes.


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Hornady 75 hpbt
26 gr Lever
CCI 400
RP case


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DD

What do you have against ball powder?


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I've burnt a fair amount of Tac behind 50 grain vmaxes. I bought an 8 of x terminator but I haven't tried it yet. I like the way Ramshot meters.


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Bristo,
X-Terminator is one of my favorites for lighter .223/5.56 bullets. At about 60 grain bullets I switch to TAC, H4895, Varget, 8208 XBR, or other slower powders.
Here are some of my more accurate loads with X-Term. Most are near, at, or slightly over max loads. Work up safely.

AR, 16" barrel, 1:9 twist
50 gr. Nosler BT-Varmint - 26.3 gr. X-Term, Rem 7-1/2 primer, 2.255" OAL, 3,160 fps (This is over Western Powders SAAMI max, but under 5.56 Nato Max)
55 gr. Hornady FMJ or Soft Point - 25 gr. X-Term, Rem 7-1/2 primer, 2.23" OAL. 3,000 fps

AR 18" barrel, 1:8 twist"
55 gr. Hornady FMJ or Soft Point, 24.6 gr. X-Term, Rem 7-1/2, 2.20" OAL, 3,000 fps
69 gr, Sierra MK HPBT, 24.7 gr. X-Term, Rem 7-1/2, 2.255" OAL, 2,900 fps


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I've got one Rem 700 that I load for accuracy, I shoot 55 gr NBT's with IMR4895 behind it. The AR's I just stress accuracy by volume. 😁

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I’m old school. H335 under 50gr vmax. Load is in Hodgdon Annual Manual.


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26.1 gr. CFE223
62 gr. Hornady soft point
No. 7 1/2 Remington small rifle bench rest primers

Ruger MPR 1:8" twist.

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I use a lot of TAC,H-322,H-335 and have used IMR-3031 as well as IMR-4064.

For bullets under 55 grains i have used Benchmark.

It's almost hard not to find a powder that won't work in the 223/556.

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Originally Posted by Bristoe


I've loaded a truckload of 5.56 over the years but I never got very involved in loading for accuracy. I was mostly just interested in putting together something which would approximate military surplus 55 grain stuff.



From that statement it's a little hard to discern what your goal is not, but I'm sure you already know that 55 FMJ's are not going to be a super accurate load.

So given that's what you're loading, whatever powders you have on hand that are suitable to 5.56/223 will be fine.................not real likely today that you're going to find a lot of powder available.

Having said that, I really prefer IMR XBR-8208, AR-Comp or Varget; but CFE-223 works, as does H4895 & whole bunch of other powders.

MM

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