5.56 load recommendation

[Oscarflytyer]

Looking for a 5.56 load recommendation for AR Carbine. Nothing max, nothing match, just going to use for range fodder.

Components avail are Midway 55 grn FMJ bullets, mixed LC and FC brass, and following powders: Varget, IMR4895, IMR4064, H335 and BL-C(2).

Could go another powder, but would prefer to use the above for now, espec the H335 and BL-C(2). Thanx

Information

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[Aussie48]

According to my Nick Harvey reloading manual (9th ed) only one for your powder shown is:

IMR 4895 min 23.5gn max 25gn

[rangerbluedog]

Speer, Hornady, and Lyman have published loads for H335:

Primer/tested OAL/Barrel Length/Twist Rate/Starting Charge/Max. Charge/Max Vel.

Speer: CCI 450 (magnum primer)/2.215"/22"/1-12"/24.0g/26.0g/3092 fps

Hornady: Win WSR/2.200"/26"/1-12"/20.8g/23.2g/3100 fps

Lyman: Rem 7 1/2 SR/2.260"/20"/1-12"/24.3g/27.0g/3270 fps

Note: There is a substantial difference in recommended maximum loads between the three manuals. Lyman has the highest maximum charge. I think this is primarily due to the longer OAL of the cartridge. (Longer cartridge = less pressure)
I guess this just reinforces the reasons we should start at the minimum, and slowly and carefully work our way up to the maximum loads, if so desired.

I know it's not on your list, but I use 25.4 grains of AA2700 powder, Federal #205 SR primers, Winchester and Lake City brass, 55 grain moly coated Sierra FMJ bullets, and 2.250" OAL.

[ArizonaBeagle]

I have loaded thousands of rounds with H335 for 5.56 for many years and love the way it meters perfectly in a Dillon press. It meters better with more consistent loads than than many other powders.

H335 originated as a military powder for 5.56 NATO round and also works very well in.308 for my 1919A4's.
It also provides an excellent muzzle flash at machine gun shoots and is quite impressive in a .308 G3-Kurz.....
Here is the 1919A4.......43 grains H335...147gr tracer......(41-44)(Hodgdon)


Here is the H&K G3 Kurz.......Same load as the A4......43gr H335.....(41-44)(Hodgdon)

It tends to give your position away at night though.....

For 55gr bullets.......Hodgdon's lists 23.0 to 25.3.... Hornady lists 21.4 to 25.4......
Sierra lists 24.0 to 26.0 with a CCI Magnum primer.

I am loading mostly M856...... 62. gr tracers with 23.7 gr. with excellent results. The loads listed above are from the manuals, my load was from development use.

Updated......The H335 powder I just bought at the SAR Show December 2, 2012 lists a load on the container as 25.63 gr. with a 55 gr. bullet, Win case, Win primer @ 3203fps.

Follow the old re-loaders advice.....Start low and go slow.....Read many loading manuals and take internet advice with a grain of salt.....or a jaundiced eye.....


AZB

[rangerbluedog]

Primer/tested OAL/Barrel Length/Twist Rate/Starting Charge/Max. Charge/Max Vel.

Speer: CCI 450 (magnum primer)/2.215"/22"/1-12"/24.0g/26.0g/3092 fps

Hornady: Win WSR/2.200"/26"/1-12"/20.8g/23.2g/3100 fps

Lyman: Rem 7 1/2 SR/2.260"/20"/1-12"/24.3g/27.0g/3270 fps

Note: There is a substantial difference in recommended maximum loads between the three manuals. Lyman has the highest maximum charge. I think this is primarily due to the longer OAL of the cartridge. (Longer cartridge = less pressure)
I guess this just reinforces the reasons we should start at the minimum, and slowly and carefully work our way up to the maximum loads, if so desired.

I know it's not on your list, but I use 25.4 grains of AA2700 powder, Federal #205 SR primers, Winchester and Lake City brass, 55 grain moly coated Sierra FMJ bullets, and 2.250" OAL.

Arizona Beagle, which edition of Hornady's do you have? Mine is the eighth edition, and I thought the max. listed load of 23.2 grains was too low.
By the way, an important correction to my post above. I use 25.4 grains of H4895 in my 5.56 loads, NOT AA2700 as originally mis-typed. Please, NO ONE use that load!

[ArizonaBeagle]

Arizona Beagle, which edition of Hornady's do you have? Mine is the eighth edition, and I thought the max. listed load of 23.2 grains was too low.

I am using the Hodgdon 27th edition data manual. Their current online listing shows the following loads......

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

55 GR. SFIRE Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.220" 21.4 2969 47,000 PSI 22.8 3099 51,800 PSI

55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.200" 23.0 3018 40,800 CUP 25.3 3203 49,300 CUP

Hodgdon Reloading data center link....They list other powders as well....

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.200" 23.0 3018 40,800 CUP 25.3 3203 49,300 CUP

AZB

[ArizonaBeagle]

Duh...... I just re-read and saw you asked about the Hornady manual, I have the fourth edition so yours is a later edition.

Look at the Hodgdon online charts and list all powders and it will give most powders you asked about.

If you noticed the last charge load I listed from Hodgdon shows 25.3 gr. as a maximum load

By the way the tracers listed at 62.gr weigh out at 60gr. average.

AZB