5.56 AR Only Loads

Padom, try this one next from American Reloading
MP 540 American Reloading
That is the stick powder, that the website says is for 308. But in 223, its similar to N140, and great.
Hey I was looking at your post and wanted to know what load data you were using ?

I use N135 quite a bit and this MP 540 sounds like a great bulk powder for practice ammo
 
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Hey I was looking at your post and wanted to know what load data you were using ?

I use N135 quite a bit and this MP 540 sounds like a great bulk powder for practice ammo

I have had nothing but excellent results with MP powder...I just grabbed 32lb of MP540 for $320....comes out to $160/8lb shipped to the door.....hard to beat that!

I'll post results once it arrives
 
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I have had nothing but excellent results with MP powder...I just grabbed 32lb of MP540 for $320....comes out to $160/8lb shipped to the door.....hard to beat that!

I'll post results once it arrives
Please do.
That will be a hell of a deal if the results are positive.
 
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Hey I was looking at your post and wanted to know what load data you were using ?

I use N135 quite a bit and this MP 540 sounds like a great bulk powder for practice ammo
I have also been using the MP540. Been shooting it in 223, 308 and 6 ARC. It is definitely a cheaper alternative to the craziness out there right now. I haven’t found anything ridiculously accurate yet out of my White Oak SPR. But it’s all been accurate enough for blaster ammo. I have only loaded 77gr hpbt’s in both Nosler and Sierra from 22gr to 23.2. All have shot around 1.2” With 22.3 being the best for me at a .96. I’m sure there is some accuracy to be had in it. I just haven’t done enough testing. Been concentrating on other powders first. It has been shooting about the same in 308 and 6 arc as far as group sizes. I do not have a chronograph, but buying one today. It’s been the biggest hole in my testing up till now.
 
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I have also been using the MP540. Been shooting it in 223, 308 and 6 ARC. It is definitely a cheaper alternative to the craziness out there right now. I haven’t found anything ridiculously accurate yet out of my White Oak SPR. But it’s all been accurate enough for blaster ammo. I have only loaded 77gr hpbt’s in both Nosler and Sierra from 22gr to 23.2. All have shot around 1.2” With 22.3 being the best for me at a .96. I’m sure there is some accuracy to be had in it. I just haven’t done enough testing. Been concentrating on other powders first. It has been shooting about the same in 308 and 6 arc as far as group sizes. I do not have a chronograph, but buying one today. It’s been the biggest hole in my testing up till now.
I've been struggling a bit with my white oak too, although I've only had it our a few times working on loads and I probably suck at shooting a has gun. This is the best I've done. If it'll shoot the 23.2 load consistently I suppose that would work.
 

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Decided to try mp540 in something lighter in my AR. Really no data around, so I made up my own. Just loaded a couple of charges at 24.7 and 25.0 with a 52gr Berger bullet. Best groups I have shot with the mp540. Still not lights out, especially with only 3 rounds, but getting closer to something I might be able to work with. It’ll be nice when my chrono gets here.

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I use a Lee collet type crimp on ar rounds. A separate step that is not hard to set up.

Basically you can watch the gap in the collet close from the top.

You start by turning the die down till it just touches a case and make a timing mark on die and press.
That is zero, then turn it down till you see the collet close compleatly without a round and mark that.

You can make 3/4 1/2 and 1/4 timing Mark's by eyesight.

I like a slight crimp at around 1/8 to 1/4. That's just enough you can tell it moved tha brass and smothers off that square end.

It's not what everyone wants to do but that's how I do it.

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Hard to get a good picture of.
 
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I forgot to mention that I have LC brass that was prepped by a co a while back. I measured the prepped brass and some of the same brass that I've shot ( now twice fired ) after being run through the die, My brass takes a .222 minus pin ( snug ) , whereas the prepped brass takes a .221 minus pin with less effort. The mandrel measures .2237 .

I do have the Lee FC die and will mess around with that this weekend.
 
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Hey I was looking at your post and wanted to know what load data you were using ?

I use N135 quite a bit and this MP 540 sounds like a great bulk powder for practice ammo
There is zero load data. I made my own load data. The powder is probably in between N140 and N135 in terms of load data, ballpark. Not having load data is super easy. You just hope first shot it isn't accidentally a pistol power. LOL actually, first shot, if I dont know, I would do like 5 grains and see what happens, then I would know if it was for pistol or rifle. Once I knew it was for rifle, I go like 18 grains in 55 grain bullet and then I know a lot more. Then if that passes, I would go up 22 grains 55 grain bullet. So after 3 shots, I can probably narrow down any powder to what its "like" then use comparable load data and evaluate bases, rifle function and other things, from experience that I wont write a book about here.
 
MK262 type loads.
This load in my gun was 2721fps
IMG_7516.jpg


18" Proof CF intermediate gas
77smk no crimp
2.255 oal
General Dynamics IVI 223 virgin brass - Ruag primed
H20 is 30.46 in 1 x fired / dry weight no primer is 97.1gr
This brass seems pretty good albeit on the small side for capacity. The primers suck, soft as butter. Cant even de-prime with a Harvey's, it just bends the center out.
.222 mandrel + id chamfer was only prep

Staball Match
25.1 2772 /SD 36/ .822" all @ 100y
25.4 2804 /SD 11.5/ .819" light swipe.
Will try 25.7 next & load out to 2.295

Accurate 2520 best accuracy
Same brass & bullet
25.1 2735 / SD 6.0 / .464"
25.4 2786 / SD 10.0 / .175" light swipe

TAC
25.0 2801 / SD 6.0 / .686"
25.3 2827 / SD 3.7 / .511" light swipe

Lever
25.9 2814 / SD 10.8 / .653"
26.2 2829 / SD 9.5 / .649" light swipe
Try 26.5 & see if SD's come down

77 RDF @ 2.292/1.827
Lever
25.7 2731 / SD 4.5 / .305"
26.0 2747 / SD 18.8/ .439" no swipe
Begging for more, will try 26.3 & 26.6

73 eldm @2.294
Vit N135 of note, the speeds below exceeded Gordon's prediction by 100fps with the N135
23.4 2825 / SD 23.4 / .479" This is top load for N135. light - Med swipe, but SD sucked.
23.7 2859 / SD 8.6 / .735" medium swipe
24.0 2877 / SD 8.1 / .336" To hot, N135 seems to get spicy/erratic on top end loads.
Here's 2 from that 24.0 string.
IMG_7515.jpg

73 eldm @2.294
Lever
26.4 2857 / SD 15.1 / .804"
26.7 2876 / SD 14.7 / .307" Looks like it came out of bolt gun. Try 27.0 & 27.2

I find it interesting that across 2 powders with the 73 eldm, both shot similar size groups at a given speed. 2859 & 2857 both & .735-.804" 2877 & 2876 .336 - .307"

Looking forward to trying this 1 x brass with GM205AR primers.
 
Working on some short barrel loads now.
This is a first attempt. For now this shorty is wearing a PST 2-10. Once I get a few loads I'm happy with it'll get the Gen 2 Huey.

10.5" Craddock 223W 8T Carbine gas
Precision Armament EFAB brake/flash hider
Seekins adj. GB
Geissele MK 4 9.3" rail, Super Charging handle, & SSA-E trigger.
BCM thermal fir upper.

Win. White box 5.56 55gr used to zero scope & it was running 2739 Gas block was set for these.

Shot everything at 100Y bipod & rear bag.
All loads in Virgin IVI 223 brass.

73 eldm @2.294/1.838 no seating changes yet.

Staball Match
24.8 2398 / SD 19.9 / 1.752" yuck
25.1 2438 / SD 10.4 / .807" *
25.4 2454 / SD 12.8 / .863" *
25.7 2473 / SD 17.0 / 2.03"
No pressure on any of these so will push higher & see if it tightens groups back up.
Did not cycle with any of these. Needs more gas.


Vit N135
23.4 2464 / SD 15.8 / 1.743"
23.7 2497 / SD 9.3 / 1.981"
24.0 2522 / SD 15.2 / 1.807"
24.3 2551 / SD 15.6 / 1.723" Cycled with top loads only.

Hornady 75 BTHP @ 2.285/1.860

Staball Match 25.7 2450 / SD 13.2 / 1.475" did not cycle

Vit N135 24.3 2545 / SD 8.4 / 1.085"* cycled well 3:30 ejection

69 RMR @2.250/1.885
Vit N135 24.5 2564 / SD 16.8 / .923" Now I know what to do with the 1K of these on hand. cycled well 3:30

Hornady 60gr Vmax @ 2.292

TAC
27.3 2855 / SD 22.9 / 1.56" did not cycle
27.6 2881 / SD 6.5 / 1.481" :eek: Holly shit! Gordon's predicted 2621 for this load. I don't know WTF is going on here but I like it. No pressure signs on this load at all. This one was on the edge of cycling, needs a little more gas
Let me repeat before you try this one!

Lever
28.6 2663 / SD 27.8 / 1.315"
28.9 2665 / SD 12.5 / 1.861" I think this is indicating incomplete powder burn as predicted. Speeds are in line with Gordon's
Top Lever load cycled.

I will be trying TAC with the 73 eldm in the next load ladder.
 
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Working on some short barrel loads now.
This is a first attempt. For now this shorty is wearing a PST 2-10. Once I get a few loads I'm happy with it'll get the Gen 2 Huey.

10.5" Craddock 223W 8T Carbine gas
Precision Armament EFAB brake/flash hider
Seekins adj. GB
Geissele MK 4 9.3" rail, Super Charging handle, & SSA-E trigger.
BCM thermal fir upper.

Win. White box 5.56 55gr used to zero scope & it was running 2739 Gas block was set for these.

Shot everything at 100Y bipod & rear bag.
All loads in Virgin IVI 223 brass.

73 eldm @2.294/1.838 no seating changes yet.

Staball Match
24.8 2398 / SD 19.9 / 1.752" yuck
25.1 2438 / SD 10.4 / .807" *
25.4 2454 / SD 12.8 / .863" *
25.7 2473 / SD 17.0 / 2.03"
No pressure on any of these so will push higher & see if it tightens groups back up.
Did not cycle with any of these. Needs more gas.


Vit N135
23.4 2464 / SD 15.8 / 1.743"
23.7 2497 / SD 9.3 / 1.981"
24.0 2522 / SD 15.2 / 1.807"
24.3 2551 / SD 15.6 / 1.723" Cycled with top loads only.

Hornady 75 BTHP @ 2.285/1.860

Staball Match 25.7 2450 / SD 13.2 / 1.475" did not cycle

Vit N135 24.3 2545 / SD 8.4 / 1.085"* cycled well 3:30 ejection

69 RMR @2.250/1.885
Vit N135 24.5 2564 / SD 16.8 / .923" Now I know what to do with the 1K of these on hand. cycled well 3:30

Hornady 60gr Vmax @ 2.292

TAC
27.3 2855 / SD 22.9 / 1.56" did not cycle
27.6 2881 / SD 6.5 / 1.481" :eek: Holly shit! Gordon's predicted 2621 for this load. I don't know WTF is going on here but I like it. No pressure signs on this load at all. This one was on the edge of cycling, needs a little more gas
Let me repeat before you try this one!

Lever
28.6 2663 / SD 27.8 / 1.315"
28.9 2665 / SD 12.5 / 1.861" I think this is indicating incomplete powder burn as predicted. Speeds are in line with Gordon's
Top Lever load cycled.

I will be trying TAC with the 73 eldm in the next load ladder.
N135 sure is great. It works well for pretty much ANY bullet, AND weight, in 223. Top tier powder. For me, 24.5 grains of N135 2.255, with 60 grain V-MAX is very accurate load. Shot 5 bullets in 1 hole, .1 inch group at 100 once last year with that load.
 
N135 sure is great. It works well for pretty much ANY bullet, AND weight, in 223. Top tier powder. For me, 24.5 grains of N135 2.255, with 60 grain V-MAX is very accurate load. Shot 5 bullets in 1 hole, .1 inch group at 100 once last year with that load.
Thanks & yes I plan to try the n135 with the 60 Vmax on next outing.

I'm still scratching my head at those 60gr speeds with Tac. Doesn't seem possible. I stumbled onto some magic recipe.
 
Where i live I realistically have 120 degree temp swings almost every year that i actually use my gun in.

Does anyone know of a temp stable, or close to, powder that meters well and is not the unobtainable 8208?

I reload 75 gr Hornady bullets.

I am contemplating Staball match but would like to see more data on it.
 
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Where i live I realistically have 120 degree temp swings almost every year that i actually use my gun in.

Does anyone know of a temp stable, or close to, powder that meters well and is not the unobtainable 8208?

I reload 75 gr Hornady bullets.

I am contemplating Staball match but would like to see more data on it.
Varget
 
Where i live I realistically have 120 degree temp swings almost every year that i actually use my gun in.

Does anyone know of a temp stable, or close to, powder that meters well and is not the unobtainable 8208?

I reload 75 gr Hornady bullets.

I am contemplating Staball match but would like to see more data on it.

Well, the equally unobtainable H4895 would be a pretty good choice. I'm down to 2.75lbs of it myself and guarding it like a fat kid with a donut on his lunch tray right now.

Varget will give you the temp stability you desire, but the velocity most likely won't be there.

I have a hot and cold load for Re-15, just because accuracy was so good that I was willing to put in the extra effort. IMR-3031 isn't horrible, but I've never tried it with anything over the 68gr Hornady.

I guess I am hoping for some posted results of the Staball Match too before I jump on any.
 
Need some experience with 69g Sierra HPBT and Ramshot Tac.

A Western Products page has it listed as :
22.9g / 2775 fps and 25.4g / 3049 fps 2.260 coal

The current Hodgdon site has it listed as:
21.9g / 2671 fps and 24.3g / 2921fps 2.260 coal

Some of my notes have been lost and not in the binder.

This project got delayed by request of the AHAES, took over the Dillon and time,
finally getting back to it.
(American Handgun Ammo Eating Society) Largely comprised of family and friends.

I realize it's old hat but I have no experience with Tac and wonder if it's like CFE 223,
ugly, -------- ugly, better, perfect, scatter, oh hell no, in 0.3g increments ?
 
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Need some experience with 69g Sierra HPBT and Ramshot Tac.

A Western Products page has it listed as :
22.9g / 2775 fps and 25.4g / 3049 fps 2.260 coal

The current Hodgdon site has it listed as:
21.9g / 2671 fps and 24.3g / 2921fps 2.260 coal

Some of my notes have been lost and not in the binder.

This project got delayed by request of the AHAES, took over the Dillon and time,
finally getting back to it.
(American Handgun Ammo Eating Society) Largely comprised of family and friends.

I realize it's old hat but I have no experience with Tac and wonder if it's like CFE 223,
ugly, -------- ugly, better, perfect, scatter, oh hell no, in 0.3g increments ?
I always do tac in .2gr increments . Not sure about a 69 gr. In my bolt gun I run 25.2 (a grain over max) with a 75gr ELD- MV = 2975

My AR I run 77gr smk and 24.3 gr in Lapua brass, 24.4 in Starline Brass, and 24.3 in FC (sucky brass don't recommend it) MV= 2850

I would start a few grains short of max and go up from there in .2gr increments if it were me
 
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Follow up to post #328 short barrel loads.

10.5" Craddock 223W 8T Carbine gas
Precision Armament EFAB brake/flash hider
Seekins adj. GB
Geissele MK 4 9.3" rail, Super Charging handle, & SSA-E trigger.
BCM thermal fir upper.

Win. White box 5.56 55gr used to zero scope & it was running 2739 Gas block was set for these. Had to open it up 1/2 turn more.

Shot everything at 100Y bipod & rear bag.
All loads in Virgin IVI 223 brass.

Mainly I wanted to explore Ramshot TAC in this shorty based on the past outing.
I don't have much experience with TAC, but it's giving unexpected results in the shorty.

Today I shot 2 loads with the 73 eldm, both loaded at 2.294
First up with cold clean bore.
25.5 = 2572 / SD 21.2 / .947" Shot to the right was first. 5 shot group. This load is pretty warm, but brass looked good. Going to back down a touch to 25.4 next outing & play with seating depth.
IMG_7539.jpg


73 eldm 25.8 = 2603 SD 15.2 first 4 shots were .663" & I pushed the 5th low opening to 1.5". This load was to hot.
I couldn't believe the speed I got with the 60 Vmax's before so I tried them again.
60 Vmax @ 2.251 5 shot groups
26.6 2762 SD 25.4 / 1.173" brass looked good. Gordon's prediction 2539
27.2 2847 SD 20.7 / 1.385" Swipes & primers getting pretty flat. Gordon's prediction 2606
OAL bumped to 2.280
27.4 2871 SD 36 / 1.278" too hot primers flat & ejector starting to imprint. Gordon's prediction 2607

Based on the above I'll set 26.8 as the ceiling and play with seating depth. They liked jumping a lot in the Valkyrie.

I had loaded an extra 5 of the 73 eldm's at 25.5 so for fun I took them to 600y steel 10" plate.
Plugged 2572 in 4 dof & dialed 5.2 mil. Went 2 for 5. Couldn't see the first 3 misses through the 10x scope. Wind is what got me. I started holding center & couldn't see misses. Moving hold to left each shot & hit last 2. Elevation was pretty spot on.
IMG_7532.jpg
IMG_7533.jpg
IMG_7535.jpg
 
Where i live I realistically have 120 degree temp swings almost every year that i actually use my gun in.

Does anyone know of a temp stable, or close to, powder that meters well and is not the unobtainable 8208?

I reload 75 gr Hornady bullets.

I am contemplating Staball match but would like to see more data on it.
Benchmark would be worth a try.
 
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Where i live I realistically have 120 degree temp swings almost every year that i actually use my gun in.

Does anyone know of a temp stable, or close to, powder that meters well and is not the unobtainable 8208?

I reload 75 gr Hornady bullets.

I am contemplating Staball match but would like to see more data on it.
Closest powder is probably H4895, or N135. But they are slightly faster. 8208 is in between the really good powders. Its faster than N140, but slower than N135. I strongly recommend N140 or N135 to replace it. Both, are better in my opinion. Benchmark is good, but the issue with it, is it does NOT like high charges, it shines UNDER max. Accuracy goes to crap when its pushed. However, H4895, N135 do extraordinarily well when pushed. No way Benchmark is going to do accurate anywhere near 8208 with a 75 grain bullet in velocity 2750-2800 FPS. Benchmark will do top tier on this planet, in lower velocities, maybe 2650 or so.
 
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View attachment 8080002
My first batch with the RMR 69g
"Clones"? Loaded today.
I wrote Sierra since that's the load data I used.

We will see soon.
I've got a pile of the little load cards that manufacturers include in a box of bullets... But, like you, I just use a 3x5 index card. Hard to beat.

I got tired of having to do repeat tests because I forgot what worked well... So I circle the charge that performed best, date it, staple it to the target, and throw it in a manila folder for that gun.

Getting old sucks.

Mike
 
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There is some software out there that organizes all this load development but got tired of buying and maintaining software.

Made my own word document template. I just copy rename and change the info. Changes are scribbled in red ink till redone and printed. I use a printed copy of the saami spec in a sheet protector to separate calibers.

The 3x5 cards start by using the back side to document stage / cycle of brass worked .

Then the load development card in the ammo box, final working round in a free container.

Retired / fixed income so this stretches the budget.

I take pictures of the targets then toss those out.

20230221_093554.jpg


By the way the peanut butter tub holds 120 rounds of 223 and a small desiccant pack nicely.

Kind of a way to meter out allocation.
 
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Took my AR out today just to do a seating depth test on the new barrel and might just call it good.

Noveske upper and lower
JP hand guard
CLE Douglas 1-8 at 18.1”
Rifle length gas with Superlative block
Wylde chamber
TBAC Ultra 9 30 cal
135 rounds on the barrel

77 SMK’s
Varget 23.4grs
OAL 2.265
Lake City 1x fired mixed date
CCI 400
2601fps
SD 9.5
ES 20
5 shots at 100yds .452

I’ll probably still test it up to 24grs but this is not bad where it’s at.
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CEB82913-8E78-47B5-97F7-5CA503CFB9D8.jpeg
 
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