Am I using too slow of a powder for AR15?

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TeamPrecisionIT

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I am loading with a Hornady 75gr BTHP and A-Max's with 24.2gr of R-15 in my 14.5 PFH Chrome-lined barrel. I am getting decent grouping and accuracy with it, but could I get better grouping (and easier metering) with a faster ball powder like 748 or the likes?

Damian
 
Probably not.

Just glancing at my Lyman #49, they show a 77 grain Sierra with 22.0 grains RL-15 giving the best accuracy.

With the 75 A-Max, they show Varget giving best accuracy, but RL-15 giving the highest velocity of the 12 powders tested.

With your short barrel, you probably need all the velocity you can get, and RL-15 will get it.

Ball powder would certainly meter better, but that would be all you would gain.

rc
 
Rc, as usual thank you. I will take your word on it. I got Lyman's pistol and revolver handbook, but not the big book (#49). So thank you for the timely response.

Damian
 
Team, Reloader 15 is one of the best powders to use for accuracy loads in .223 with heavier bullets. 24.1gr is my standard charge. what's the twist on your barrel? My luck with Hornady bullets has been hit and miss. Some rifles like them and some don't. I'll assume that you're single loading the A-Max bullets. They're way too long to load to mag length. Most 14.5" barrels aren't geared toward accuracy and have long leades forcing the bullets to make a long jump to the rifling. I don't like to have to pay too much attention to things like jumps and loading to the lands. I have too many different rifles to load for just one.

My goto bullet is the Sierra 77gr Match King. It seems to be really forgiving in terms of OAL and doesn't seem to mind having to make a jump to the lands. My standard accuracy load for .223 in my fast twist ARs is 24.1gr RL15, 77gr SMK loaded to 2.255" OAL lit off by a Remington 7.5 primer. This load will shoot sub MOA all day long in my AR, as long as I'm up to the task.

Assuming that you have a fast twist barrel, the SMKs should do at least well, but I just don't know how well your barrel would do with the best of loads.
 
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