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Author Topic: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?  (Read 686 times)

Offline Frank_Castle

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What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« on: May 30, 2009, 11:43:26 AM »
I'm still new to reloading.
I've only used IMR 3130 thus far and I've gotten somewhat acceptable results (1.5"- 2 3/8" groups)
I'm using 55 gr FMJBT projectiles with Winchester and CCI primers and I was wonder if there maybe a more effective powder for this combo.
For example what does Federal use in their XM193 round?
What does Winchester use for Q3131?
I'd like to mimick those 2 loads as close as possible.
What works for you guys?

Thanks
-Russ
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Offline J Mack

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2009, 12:19:51 PM »
Ar15.com is a good resource for .223 / 5.56 load data

From my Bookmarks:
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=398

http://media.ar15.com/media/viewFile.html?i=9862

http://ammo.ar15.com/ammo/

I’m using 25 grains of Ramshot Tac powder under a 55 grain Hornady FMJ-BT W/C at a bit over 2950 FPS. This load will shoot under MOA in most riffles.
Please note this load is near max and you should work up you own load slowly from minimum.
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Offline Shortmag

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2009, 12:42:43 PM »
i've had good results with TAC as well.  i usually load 24.5 or 25 grains under a Winchester 55gr FMJBT.  i haven't really put it on paper, but it'll do minute of prairie dog all day.

SM
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Offline ManOnFire

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2009, 05:05:55 PM »
If I remember correctly the AR was designed around the IMR-3031. saying that I've had great success with H335 and TAC
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Offline broncovan

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2009, 06:23:20 PM »
My carbine likes H335, but I don't.  Too dirty for me.  It didn't like Varget or Benchmark, shot O.K. with H4895 and IMR4895.  I really want to try Ramshot's TAC.  If it shoots well in both my 308 and 223, I'll give up on Varget, too hard to find anymore.
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Michael N

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2009, 06:47:49 PM »
Winchester 748 doesn't suck either .
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Norton1

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2009, 09:40:23 PM »
4064 at 23.5 grns is pretty good.

I'm using a Russian 4895 MilSpec that burns like 4064 and it's very nice powder.

The above is a bit slower than what a lot of folks shoot, 2350 fps, but it's accurate.
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Offline TrooperBrian

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2009, 11:57:35 PM »
From an economical standpoint, I've been using 4198 for plinker rounds. It feeds terribly through an RCBS Uniflow, but its ok. Otherwise, for good rounds I like H335 and TAC.
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Offline Nealio

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2009, 10:57:54 PM »
My dad and I run Win748 pushing a Nosler ballistic tip to 3350+ (out of a 24" barrel).  This combo yields .5" groups @ 100 yards.  Probably better if I could keep from moving.
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Offline Nomad

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Re: What's a good powder for 5.56 Nato?
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2009, 08:58:33 AM »
JMack good information .......Thanks....
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