AR15 Load Info

[Shooter14]

My AR15 is a 16 inch barrel with a 1:9 twist. In your experience, what would be an ideal bullet weight/powder combination for this style rifle? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[cfullgraf]

Some 1-9 twist AR-15s stabilize 69-77 grain bullets, but frequently do better with less than 69 grain bullets.

55 FMj bullets are not the best for accuracy. Most hunting or match bullets would do much better.

You need to see what your rifle likes. It may not be the same as mine.

Also, it can depend on what your objectives are. 55 FMJ bullets are great for short range plinking as they tend t be bargained priced. Better bullets will give better results at 100 yards and beyond.

 

[SlowFuse]

My standard load is LC case, 62 grain fmj and H335. This does good out of my 1:7 twists. With a 1:9 I'd stay under 70 grain projectiles. Echoing what cfullgraf said, 55 grainers are are usually cheaper and my go to powder would still be H335. Over 62 grains usually gets loaded with varget.

 

[longdayjake]

My regular fodder is a 62 grain ss109 with 23 grains of AA2230. This is actually a very accurate load for my gun so I stick with it. It isn't a barrel burner or anything if you are looking for the highest velocities.

 

[RainDodger]

I've had very good results with Sierra Varmintmaster 60gr. flat base bullets (#1375), and 24.1 gr. of H335, out of all my ARs. They are 1:9 twist barrels.

 

[loose noose]

I've got 2 AR-15s one is a 20" bull barrel on a bushmaster lower with a Timney trigger, the other is a 16" Bushmaster carbine also with a Timney trigger and a 1:9" twist it doesn't like the heavier bullets like the 69-75 grn., but use 55 grn bt match grade bullets and IMR 4198 and that rifle will shoot moa allmost all day long. However you might want to experiment with different loads, as like someone mentioned not all barrels are the same. It definitely likes the lighter bullets such as the 52 grn. V-Max bt. as that one shoots from my bench 3/4" moa groups with the first 3 rounds.

 

[loose noose]

I've got 2 AR-15s one is a 20" bull barrel on a bushmaster ower with a Timney trigger, the other is a 16" Bushmaster carbine also with a Timney trigger and a 1:9" twist it doesn't like the heavier bullets like the 69-75 grn., but use 55 grn bt match grade bullets and IMR 4198 and that rifle will shoot moa allmost all day long. However you might want to experiment with different loads, as like someone mentioned not all barrels are the same.

 

[ssyoumans]

Favorite plinking load that's very accurate out of my 1-9" twist carbine is a 55gr Varmint Nightmare Extreme SP and 26.5gr of BLC-2 with a CCI SRM primer loaded to 2.230". Runs 2824 fps and about 1" groups.

Favorite hunting load uses a Hornady 50gr VMax and 0.5gr under Hornady's MAX charge of W 748, CCI SRM primer, 2.245". Good for 3100 fps. Devastating on anything it hits.

With a quality AR, the list of bullets and powder combinations that work are endless. Just decide what you want to achieve, and have some fun.
Good powders W748, BLC2, TAC, AA2230, Varget and the next person will probably list 5 others.

 

[Jeff H]

and the next person will probably list 5 others.

Just one more. I use a lot of H335

 

[danbowkley]

I absolutely love the 60gr Vmax over 26 grains of Varget and a CCI SR primer. I could routinely drop 1/2" groups at 100 yards, all day and all night, out of my 16" DPMS super bull barrel.

And if I ever find the goat licking turdburglar who stole that rifle, he'll get to meet my Taurus 1911.

 

[Hondo 60]

Sorry no witty sayings here.

55 & 62 gr bullets
Varget & Reloder 15
any combo of the above works really well for me.

My AR is a 20" 1 in 9.

 

[mtrmn]

good plinking load good for 1.5" at 100 yd:
Widener's 55gr fmj
24.5 gr TAC
CCI #41 mil primer
mixed brass
loaded magazine length

 

[CHALK22]

good plinking load good for 1.5" at 100 yd:
Widener's 55gr fmj
24.5 gr TAC
CCI #41 mil primer
mixed brass
loaded magazine length

I use almost this exact load, but I use MG 55gr FMJs, and CCI SRP. I love Tac powder. Works well, I can easily get sub MOA off the bench depending on how much coffee I had that morning.....