I watched a video yesterday about the development of the AR rifle and the trials and so forth and one of the early problems was a switch to ball powders from stick powders. So i was wondering what you all are using for loads and powders with 55gr bullets in your AR rifles? Are stick powders still better? I have a fair selection of powders and most are stick but I do have a couple of ball powders in the mid burning range.
The .223/5.56 is one of the easiest cartridges to load, and almost any powder in the proper burn rate produces decent results, from 4198 (my least favorite, but others would disagree) to Varget and IMR-4064 on the slower side (won’t achieve top velocity with lighter bullets under 55 gr, but generally accurate and really shine with heavier bullets over 60 grains for both accuracy and velocity.).
The ball powders meter superbly in my RCBS Uniflow powder measure, my favorite being Ramshot TAC, others aren’t far behind, Accurate 2230, 2460, Hodgdon H-335, W-748, and many others.
My favorite stick (extruded) powder is Hodgdon’s Benchmark, which provided good accuracy and surprisingly high velocity in a recent test in 30 degree weather with 40 gr bullets in my 26” barrel bolt gun.
For 55 gr FMJ plinking loads, I just loaded up about 500 rounds with Perfecta and Fiocchi brass, Wolf 55 gr FMJ bullets, CCI No. 41 primers and 25.0 grains of Ramshot TAC Powder. A lot of other guys use a similar load with H-335.