From: schuette@roadkill.nrl.navy.mil (Larry Schuette)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: ar-15 pet loads (SUMMARY)
Date: 6 Jan 93 18:23:07 GMT


Many thanks for the responses to my request for "Pet" loads for 
the Colt Sporter (AR-15).  In order to protect the innocent, I've striped
off the names of the people who responded by email.  I've also
included the posts from people who responded via rec.guns.

As usual follow this excellent advice: 
Of course, consult reloading manual data tables before following anyone's
"pet loads"
 


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For accuracy:

  63 grain Sierra Soft point. I run 26-28 grains of Win 748.

This has been my most accurate load in Sporters with the 1/7 barrel twist.
Even better than Sierra 69 gr. HPBT Match bullets.

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WIn 748 powder, Win Primers and any of the 55 to 69 grain bullets
69 grn only if you have 10" twist or faster

My pet load is around 25 grns for the 69 grn bullet,  that will also
be a safe load for the 55.

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I like 27 gr AA2230 powder with Win WSR primer and said bullet (55 grain
FMJ) and Remington cases.  The peak pressure was measured and is about the
same as military or PMC ammo.

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H-335 powder.  I've put <1" groups at 100yards out of my non-HBAR Colt
(not accurized, and fairly old) using 25.5gr of h335 behind a Nosler 50gr
boat-tailed ballistic tip.  Not the cheapest bullets, but I can't argue
with how well they like my rifle.

I've also heard good things about h335 from several other fans of the 
"rat-gun"

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I've been real happy with 27.0gr of Accurate Arms 2460 behind a 55 gr.
Hornady softpoint with a Federal primer and Federal brass.  I trim the
brass and use a slight crimp.  It's below max but warm.  The AA manual
starts at 25.4 with a 28.2 max.  Major Disclaimer: Get a free manual from
AA phone 615-729-4207, don't trust this by itself.

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For 223 Rem., I like Winchester 748 and Winchester Small Rifle
primers (WSP).  The 55g FMJ projectile is not quite as accurate
as some of the other alternatives (but the price is right).

My sources also say 748 is a good choice for heavy projectiles
(62g, 69g).

I found the Remington 55g PLHP projectile to be good accuracy.
With its construction, it should also be a good coyote or smaller
game round.  Since it is also available in bulk from Midway
and others, it's not as pricy as the projectiles packed
100 per box.

Watch out for the volumetric difference between military brass
and commercial brass, as well as the crimped primer pockets
in mil brass.

If you load a lot, the lower cost military brass is worth the
extra effort for the swage to "properly" get rid of the crimped
primer pocket.  If you only casually reload, stick with the
commercial stuff, less headaches that way.

Some companies are offering once-fired mil brass with crimp
removed.  I haven't tried it, but it might be the way to go.

I've used Winchester, Federal, Remington, PMC and IVI brass.
They all work ok, although I like the Remington stuff
a little better.

Good load data in Speer #11 for 748 and others.
See Sierra #3 for heavy bullet data.

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My favorite load for my Colt H-BAR is 25 Gr. of WIN 748, CCI small
rifle primer (400) and the Win. 55 grain FMJ bullet. I use recycled
military brass from Midway and River City (very nice, already trimmed).
I purchase the bullets from Black Hills, $218 per case. (if anyone
knows where to get them for less, please let me know).

When dialing in a load for these rifles, try loading 5 or so in
.5 grain increments or smaller, start lower than your manual suggests
if using surplus brass. The results are intersting. My gun
shot groups that touch at both 25 and 26 grains of 748, it really
spread out at other loadings. Being cheap, I settled on 25 grains
vs. the more expensive 26 grain load.

I'm not responsilbe if you blow yourself up doing these things.

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(And my personal favorite response )

Let's see...  If the 3.5 cent bullet is any indicater; use the cheapest
amount of the cheapest powder you can get.  Otherwise, I like a Berger
52gr bullet with 22.6gr of H322, a Fed Match primer and a match prepped
IMI case. 

(Your milage may vary.)
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Larry
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	"Another running gun fight...Destroyer gunning...Wahoo running"
							"Mush" Morton
Lawrence C. Schuette			  schuette@roadkill.nrl.navy.mil
Code 7133				  (202)767-2739  
Naval Research Laboratory		  (202)767-5561 (fax) 	
Washington D.C.	20375-5350