Which powder for reloading for AR???

[762xIan]

I have managed to develop nice loads using Varget, H335, and BLC2 so far.

Next incarnation is IMR-4895 (which I also use for Garands and .308).

I have made some good rounds, and I have everything documented in my notes. This opens up some doors for me if I can't find one brand of powder, I have already done the leg work and can get one of the others that may be available.

[markm]

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Next incarnation is IMR-4895 (which I also use for Garands and .308).

The complaint I've read about bothe 4895 and 8208 XBR is that if you're working up a hot load... close to 5.56mm pressures, these powders with turn on you without warning.

In other words, (and I've experienced this myself with 8208) you'll be working up a load with no signs of pressure at all, and then BAM! You're blowing primers and getting bad swipes.

[Airhasz]

The complaint I've read about bothe 4895 and 8208 XBR is that if you're working up a hot load... close to 5.56mm pressures, these powders with turn on you without warning.

In other words, (and I've experienced this myself with 8208) you'll be working up a load with no signs of pressure at all, and then BAM! You're blowing primers and getting bad swipes.

Great info to make others aware of Mark! The warning has been issued in every loading manual I've read "rework your load when powder lot numbers change". Were these powders that turned on you of the same lot numbers or did you use the same hot load and disregard the change in lot numbers? Personal when I run a charge close to the maximum I will rework the charge for my own personal safety. It's simple for me to fire a couple of rounds off of my back deck and check brass for pressure signs before heading back to the press assured of not creating grenade rounds...

[markm]

My issue was with the 8208 powder. It was a lot change with a pretty thoroughly vetted load that was a clone of the Mk 262.

Lesson learned was that when you're loading OVER max to get a 5.56 velocity, take nothing for granted.

[waffentomas]

One of the 'silver linings' of all this hoarding of ammo, ARs, components, etc., is that since it has been harder to find my pet .223/.308 etc. powders, that I have had to buy whatever is on the shelf.

My preferences for .223 are 748 and Varget, with 8208 and CFE223 thrown in. However, I have now worked up loads using 4064, 3031, RL17, 335, 322, AA2520, and more.

It made me realize that there are a lot of good powders out there, and to be a little more versatile. I feel like i have loads for a lot more powders now that I am happy with, and don't much care what's on the shelf. Plus, with powder like RL17, which is pretty slow for the .223, virtually no load data exists for .223, and not really made for it at all, my interest in load development has been 'reborn'.

I have a customer and range friend who won't load anything but 4064 for his .308, and is now out of powder for it because, well, I don't know why exactly. But he's out of powder, and I'm sitting on 40+ pounds of just rifle powder because I just bought whatever came in. His loss....

[ennbeegunny15]

4895 and 8208. That's what's in stock, so that's what I've been able to use. Just picked up some ar-comp so I'm gonna work some loads up and see what happens.

[ennbeegunny15]

The complaint I've read about bothe 4895 and 8208 XBR is that if you're working up a hot load... close to 5.56mm pressures, these powders with turn on you without warning.

In other words, (and I've experienced this myself with 8208) you'll be working up a load with no signs of pressure at all, and then BAM! You're blowing primers and getting bad swipes.

I had heard that so I kept it under max. Good to know. And those powders are what I have the most of since that's what my lgs has been gettng.

[samson7x]

I've used 335, 8208, and BLC2 with success. I'm no long range competitor though.

[eperk]

I try to keep it simple. RL-7 for lighter bullets. RL-15 for heavier bullets. That being said I also like 8208 and Varget.

[markm]

I had heard that so I kept it under max. Good to know. And those powders are what I have the most of since that's what my lgs has been gettng.

You can load it to max. It's when you're developing a load that exceeds .223 pressures where you should be careful.