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powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

36 Barnes Varmint Grenade Hodgdon Benchmark 25.0 3,514 minimum27.0 3,800 maximum

Ramshot TAC 27.5 3,681 minimum29.5 3,876 maximum

45 Barnes Banded spitzer or TSX FB Accurate AA-2015 22.5 3,225 minimum24.5 3,496 maximum

Ramshot TAC 26.0 3,333 minimum28.0 3,549 maximum

53 Barnes TSX FB Ramshot TAC 24.0 3,051 minimum26.0 3,307 maximum

Hodgdon H-4895 23.5 2,970 minimum25.5 3,292 maximum

55 Barnes MPG FB Winchester W-748 23.0 2,910 minimum26.0 3,212 maximum

Ramshot TAC 23.0 2,884 minimum25.5 3,223 maximum

62 Barnes TSX BT Ramshot TAC 22.5 2,787 minimum24.5 3,055 maximum

Hodgdon Varget 23.5 2,807 minimum25.5 3,021 maximum

70 Barnes TSX BT Hodgdon H-4895 21.5 2,623 minimum23.5 2,879 maximum

Alliant RL-15 22.5 2,706 minimum24.5 2,915 maximum

.223 Remington (Barnes Data)Warning! Notes: case: Winchester; case trimlength: 1.750 inches; primer: WSR; barrellength: 24 inches; twist rate: one-in-12-inch.

Note: To stabilize in flight, 45-grain BandedSpitzers and 53-grain TSX bullets require a one-in-12-inch or faster twist; 62-grain TSX and 55-grain MPG bullets need a one-in-9-inch or fastertwist. The 36-grain Varmint Grenade works finein barrels with a one-in-14-inch twist, while the70-grain TSX needs a one-in-8-inch or faster twist.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

AR-15 TACTICAL LOADSAt 18 I joined the U.S. Army. One of my duties was transporting ammunition to the various

ranges, which meant getting to shoot a variety of weapons. One of my favorites was the M16. Iknew that someday I would own the civilian version. Over 20 years later I now own a few ofthem. Now more than ever the popularity of the AR-15 is increasing, and they are available ina wide variety of platforms. Handloader magazine has teamed up with LoadData.com tobring you some of the most popular loads for the most popular platforms in the AR-15. Wehope you will take this manual to your loading bench, go to the range and have some fun.

Good Shooting,

Don PolacekPresident Wolfe Publishing Company

For more loads in the AR-15 or a number of other cartridges, visit us at www.loaddata.com.

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powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity

(grains) (grains) (fps)

65 Sierra spitzer boat-tail Winchester W-748 25.5 2,86926.5 3,00427.5 3,160

Hodgdon H-335 23.0 2,69823.5 2,75124.0 2,82024.5 2,87125.0 2,942

Accurate AA-2230 21.5 2,42722.0 2,49022.5 2,57123.0 2,63623.5 2,693

Hodgdon H-380 26.0 2,62227.0 2,70328.0 2,78828.5 2,845

BL-C(2) 22.0 2,33723.0 2,45524.0 2,56924.5 2,625

68 Hornady hollowpoint boat-tail Winchester W-748 24.0 2,70925.0 2,81826.0 2,964

Hodgdon H-335 21.5 2,46322.0 2,50422.5 2,58823.0 2,66323.5 2,74224.0 2,82524.5 2,912

Alliant RL-15 24.5 2,68725.5 2,81026.5 2,950

Hodgdon Varget 23.0 2,55224.0 2,66625.0 2,803

BL-C(2) 23.0 2,51524.0 2,62625.0 2,726

69 Sierra MatchKing hollowpoint boat-tail Winchester W-748 24.0 2,68725.0 2,82026.0 2,928

Accurate AA-2230 21.5 2,43522.5 2,55523.5 2,696

Hodgdon BL-C(2) 21.5 2,25222.5 2,348

.223 Remington in an AR-15 with a 1-in-9-Inch TwistWarning! Notes: A Mil-Spec Custom riflewith a 20-inch, one-in-9-inch twist barrelwas used to shoot all loads. Bullet diame-ter: .224-inch; cases used: NoslerCustom.Remington 71⁄2 (Small Rifle Bench Rest)primers used throughout. Maximum caselength: 1.760 inches; trim to length: 1.750inches; overall cartridge length: 2.260inches. SAAMI maximum pressure: 52,000CUP. Read entire article at loaddata.comunder Load Development.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

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powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity

(grains) (grains) (fps)

69 Sierra MatchKing hollowpoint boat-tail Hodgdon BL-C(2) 23.5 2,462H-335 22.5 2,546

23.5 2,69024.5 2,869

69 Nosler hollowpoint boat-tail Winchester W-748 24.0 2,66025.0 2,80226.0 2,903

75 Hornady hollowpoint boat-tail Alliant RL-15 23.5 2,51124.0 2,56224.5 2,61225.0 2,66625.5 2,72126.0 2,778

Hodgdon H-4895 23.0 2,67524.0 2,78525.0 2,879

H-335 21.0 2,37722.0 2,47523.0 2,564

H-380 24.0 2,44225.0 2,49926.0 2,57627.0 2,606

BL-C(2) 23.0 2,40024.0 2,50925.0 2,64925.5 2,731

Varget 23.0 2,62924.0 2,71125.0 2,75425.5 2,811

powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

85 Sierra HP Ramshot X-Terminator 28.9 2,702 start load; COL (inch): 2.15032.1 2,980 max load; COL (inch): 2.150; 52,000 psi

95 Hornady V-MAX 27.5 2,588 start load; COL (inch): 2.19030.8 2,831 max load; COL (inch): 2.190; 51,980 psi

100 Nosler Ballistic Tip 26.7 2,464 start load; COL (inch): 2.23029.7 2,708 max load; COL (inch): 2.230; 51,920 psi

107 Sierra HPBT 26.3 2,389 start load; COL (inch): 2.26029.2 2,649 max load; COL (inch): 2.260; 51,000 psi

120 Sierra HPBT 25.1 2,233 start load; COL (inch): 2.26027.9 2,466 max load; COL (inch): 2.260; 51,970 psi

6.5 Grendel for AR-15 FirearmsWarning! Notes: barrel: 20 inches; twist rate:one-in-10-inch; primer: WSR; bullet diameter:.264 inch; case length minimum: 1.495 inches;maximum: 1.515 inches; maximum COL: 2.260inches.

Note: Data furnished by Western Powders Co.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

Notes: For more information on loading the .223 Remington AR-15 with different twist rates visit www.loaddata.com.

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powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

85 Sierra HP Accurate AA-2230 27.4 2,656 start load; COL (inch): 2.15030.8 2,873 max load; COL (inch): 2.150; 51,700 psi

95 Hornady V-MAX 25.5 2,535 start load; COL (inch): 2.19028.3 2,713 max load; COL (inch): 2.190; 51,800 psi

100 Nosler Ballistic Tip 25.3 2,411 start load; COL (inch): 2.23028.1 2,636 max load; COL (inch): 2.230; 51,600 psi

107 Sierra HPBT 24.8 2,329 start load; COL (inch): 2.26027.8 2,520 max load; COL (inch): 2.260; 51,500 psi

120 Sierra HPBT 23.6 2,224 start load; COL (inch): 2.26026.3 2,395 max load; COL (inch): 2.260; 51,900 psi

cartridgebullet overall

bullet powder diameter length starting loads maximum loads(grains) (inch) (inches) (grains) (fps) (psi) (grains) (fps) (psi)

85 Sierra hollowpoint H-335 .264 2.240 29.0 2,705 37,700 32.0 2,956 49,300H-322 27.0 2,625 36,600 30.1C 2,927 49,400IMR-4198 24.0 2,645 38,100 26.4C 2,898 50,000H-4198 24.5 2,674 38,500 27.2C 2,919 49,500

90 Speer TNT hollowpoint H-335 2.200 28.5 2,613 35,200 31.7 2,912 49,400Benchmark 28.5 2,662 37,700 30.5C 2,870 47,000H-322 26.5 2,534 34,600 29.5C 2,863 49,500IMR-4198 23.5 2,562 36,600 26.2C 2,844 49,900H-4198 24.0 2,594 36,800 26.8C 2,854 49,400

95 Hornady V-MAX H-335 2.230 28.0 2,570 37,400 31.2 2,841 50,200Benchmark 27.0 2,476 33,900 30.0C 2,807 49,700H-322 26.0 2,477 35,900 28.8C 2,768 49,300IMR-4198 22.5 2,470 36,700 25.2C 2,740 49,900H-4198 23.0 2,483 36,600 25.8C 2,750 49,300

100 Nosler Ballistic Tip H-335 2.200 28.0 2,509 38,200 30.7 2,744 49,700Benchmark 27.0 2,460 36,300 29.9C 2,739 49,900H-322 26.0 2,420 36,700 29.0C 2,716 49,800IMR-4198 22.0 2,334 34,400 25.1C 2,646 49,600H-4198 23.0 2,414 36,800 25.6C 2,666 49,800

107 Sierra hollowpoint boat-tail H-335 2.250 27.0 2,413 36,900 30.0 2,677 49,500Benchmark 26.0 2,355 34,800 29.0C 2,653 49,600H-322 25.0 2,325 35,900 27.7C 2,607 49,800IMR-4198 21.5 2,298 35,900 24.3C 2,567 49,700H-4198 22.0 2,324 37,000 24.8 2,576 49,900

120 Barnes TSX H-335 2.200 25.0 2,142 37,400 28.0 2,415 48,400Benchmark 24.5 2,133 36,900 27.3 2,401 50,200H-322 23.0 2,074 37,700 25.8C 2,347 50,000IMR-4198 20.3 2,062 40,600 22.7C 2,280 50,100H-4198 20.5 2,074 41,000 22.9C 2,272 49,700

123 Sierra hollowpoint boat-tail H-335 2.250 26.0 2,288 37,800 28.7 2,508 49,800Benchmark 25.0 2,225 36,900 27.5C 2,460 49,900H-322 24.0 2,192 36,600 26.6C 2,434 49,900IMR-4198 22.0 2,263 43,300 24.2C 2,385 50,500H-4198 21.0 2,153 37,700 23.7C 2,375 50,000

6.5mm Grendel

Warning! Notes: case: Lapua; barrel: 24inches; twist rate: one-in-9-inch; primer: Federal205M; trim length: 1.515 inches.

C = Compressed loads

Note: Data furnished by Hodgdon Powder Co.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

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powderbullet manufacturer powder primer charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

90 Sierra hollowpoint Accurate AA-2015 WIN WLR 26.6 2,500 start load; COL (inch): 2.24029.5 2,774 maximum load; COL (inch): 2,240; 55,500 psi

110 Hornady V-MAX 24.8 2,433 start load; COL (inch): 2.26027.5 2,534 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 57,800 psi

130 Nosler Ballistic Tip 22.5 2,050 start load; COL (inch): 2.26025.0 2,276 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 58,000 psi

90 Sierra hollowpoint AA-2230 27.9 2,565 start load; COL (inch): 2.24031.0 2,850 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.240; 55,500 psi

110 Hornady V-MAX 26.6 2,356 start load; COL (inch): 2.26029.5 2,620 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 57,200 psi

130 Sierra SPT 24.3 2,140 start load; COL (inch): 2.26027.0 2,375 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 57,800 psi

90 Sierra hollowpoint Ramshot X-Terminator FED 210 30.0 2,680 start load; COL (inch): 2.26032.5 2,970 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 55,400 psi

110 Hornady V-MAX 26.0 2,450 start load; COL (inch): 2.26029.5 2,650 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 54,000 psi

130 Sierra SBT 25.0 2,200 start load; COL (inch): 2.26027.5 2,430 maximum load; COL (inch): 2.260; 56,200 psi

6.8mm Remington SPCWarning! Notes: case: Remington; barrel: 20inches; twist rate: one-in-10-inch; bullet diameter:.277 inch.

Note: Data furnished by Western Powders Co.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

90 Speer hollowpoint Hodgdon H-335 30.0 2,699 starting load; 37,600 psiBenchmark 29.0 2,705 starting load; 38,900 psiH-322 29.0 2,765 starting load; 42,100 psiH-4198 26.0 2,810 starting load; 47,700 psiLil’Gun 20.0 2,784 starting load; 46,500 psiH-335 33.0 2,987 maximum load; 51,900 psiBenchmark 31.0 2,853 compressed charge; maximum load; 45,900 psiH-322 31.0 2,929 compressed charge; maximum load; 49,500 psiH-4198 28.6 3,012 compressed charge; maximum load; 54,000 psiLil’Gun 22.7 2,923 maximum load; 53,500 psi

100 Barnes X-Bullet Benchmark 28.0 2,588 starting load; 42,000 psiH-322 27.0 2,502 starting load; 37,700 psiH-4198 24.0 2,542 starting load; 40,500 psi

6.8mm Remington SPCWarning! Notes: case: Remington; barrel: 24inches; primer: Remington 9.5; twist rate: one-in-10-inch; trim: 1.676 inches. NEVER exceedthe loads listed here.

Note: Data furnished by Hodgdon Powder Co.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

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overallpowder loaded

bullet manufacturer powder charge velocity length remarks(grains) (grains) (fps) (inches)

240 Hornady XTP/MAG Accurate AA-9 26.7 1,700 2.06028.2 1,80029.6 1,900 maximum load

Hodgdon Lil’Gun 25.7 1,70027.8 1,80029.9 1,90032.0 2,00034.1 2,10036.2 2,20038.3 2,300 maximum load

Ramshot Enforcer 28.5 1,70030.6 1,80032.6 1,900 maximum load

Winchester W-296 29.2 1,70031.1 1,80033.0 1,90034.9 2,00036.9 2,10038.8 2,200 maximum load

Hodgdon H-110 30.6 1,700

.450 BushmasterWarning! Notes: rifle: Bushmaster XM15-E2S; case: Hornady; factory barrel: 16 inches;primer: WSR; twist rate: one-in-24-inch. Ap-proach maximum loads with extreme caution.

Note: Data furnished by Hornady ManufacturingCompany.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

powderbullet manufacturer powder charge velocity remarks

(grains) (grains) (fps)

100 Barnes X-Bullet Hodgdon Benchmark 30.0 2,755 compressed charge; maximum load; 51,200 psiH-322 30.0 2,803 compressed charge; maximum load; 52,300 psiH-4198 26.5 2,791 maximum load; 52,900 psi

110 Hornady V-MAX H-335 27.0 2,487 starting load; 41,700 psiH-4895 27.0 2,335 starting load; 33,900 psiBenchmark 27.0 2,518 starting load; 44,000 psiH-322 27.0 2,571 starting load; 47,600 psiH-4198 23.0 2,431 starting load; 40,600 psiH-335 29.5 2,694 maximum load; 53,600 psiH-4895 29.0 2,550 compressed charge; maximum load; 42,400 psiBenchmark 28.8 2,665 compressed charge; maximum load; 52,000 psiH-322 29.0 2,697 compressed charge; maximum load; 53,600 psiH-4198 25.3 2,651 compressed charge; maximum load; 52,000 psi

115 Sierra hollowpoint boat-tail H-335 27.0 2,415 starting load; 40,800 psiH-4895 27.0 2,302 compressed charge; starting load; 34,300 psiBenchmark 26.0 2,400 starting load; 42,400 psiH-322 26.0 2,421 starting load; 43,500 psiH-4198 22.0 2,413 starting load; 47,800 psiH-335 29.0 2,569 maximum load; 48,500 psiH-4895 29.0 2,495 compressed charge; maximum load; 42,800 psiBenchmark 28.5 2,581 compressed charge; maximum load; 51,800 psiH-322 28.2 2,608 compressed charge; maximum load; 53,300 psiH-4198 24.0 2,534 compressed charge; maximum load; 52,300 psi

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overallpowder loaded

bullet manufacturer powder charge velocity length remarks(grains) (grains) (fps) (inches)

240 Hornady XTP/MAG Hodgdon H-110 32.3 1,800 2.06033.9 1,90035.6 2,00037.2 2,10038.9 2,20040.6 2,300 maximum load

IMR IMR-4227 34.0 1,70035.8 1,80037.6 1,90039.4 2,000 maximum load

250 Hornady FTX Hodgdon Lil’Gun 25.2 1,700 2.22527.7 1,80030.3 1,90032.8 2,00035.4 2,10037.9 2,200 maximum load

Accurate AA-9 27.1 1,70029.2 1,80031.4 1,900 maximum load

Hodgdon H-110 28.1 1,70030.8 1,80033.6 1,90036.4 2,00039.2 2,100 maximum load

Ramshot Enforcer 29.3 1,70031.5 1,80033.8 1,90036.0 2,000 maximum load

Winchester W-296 29.4 1,70031.6 1,80033.8 1,90036.0 2,00038.2 2,10040.4 2,200 maximum load

IMR IMR-4227 33.5 1,70035.0 1,80036.6 1,900 maximum load

300 Hornady XTP/MAG Accurate AA-9 25.1 1,500 2.06526.7 1,60028.3 1,700 maximum load

Hodgdon Lil’Gun 25.5 1,50027.2 1,60028.8 1,70030.5 1,80032.2 1,900 maximum load

Ramshot Enforcer 27.2 1,50028.7 1,600 maximum load

Hodgdon H-110 27.0 1,50029.5 1,60031.9 1,70034.4 1,800 maximum load

Winchester W-296 28.7 1,50030.6 1,60032.6 1,70034.5 1,800 maximum load

IMR IMR-4227 30.5 1,50032.2 1,60033.9 1,700 maximum load

Accurate AA-1680 34.7 1,50036.6 1,60038.5 1,70040.4 1,800 maximum load

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overallpowder loaded 100-yard

bullet manufacturer powder charge velocity length accuracy(grains) (grains) (fps) (inches) (inches)

300 Barnes X-Bullet Hodgdon Lil’Gun 33.0 1,901 2.26 1.75300 Remington JHP Hodgdon H-110 35.0 1,631 2.02 2.00

Lil’Gun 35.0 2,012 2.02 1.60405 Remington JFP Hodgdon Lil’Gun 29.0 1,607 2.08 1.30500 Hornady RN IMR IMR-4198 26.5 1,079 2.24 2.50

.458 SOCOMWarning! Notes: Tromix .458 SOCOM Monster,16.25-inch barrel. Accuracy is the average offour, five-shot groups fired from a sandbagbenchrest at 100 yards. Velocity is the averageof 10 rounds measured 15 feet from the gun’smuzzle. All handloads used Starline cases andCCI 350 primers. All load data should be usedwith caution. Always start with reduced loadsfirst and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high testloads listed.

Note: Data furnished by Teppo Jutsu.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

overallpowder loaded

bullet manufacturer powder charge length remarks(grains) (grains) (inches)

325 Speer JHP Hodgdon Lil’Gun 37.2 2.110400 Hawk JSP Alliant RL-7 47.4 2.180334 AA FMJ Hodgdon Lil’Gun 37.7 2.110 AA = Alexander Arms purpose designed projectiles334 AA JHP Hodgdon Lil’Gun 37.7 2.110 AA = Alexander Arms purpose designed projectiles420 Power Belt DG Steel tip Accurate AA-1680 45.2 2.240 please remove plastic belt from bullet before loading

Alliant RL-7 45.0 2.240 please remove plastic belt from bullet before loading530 Power Belt DG Steel tip Alliant RL-7 37.7 2.240 please remove plastic belt from bullet before loading348 Power Belt Aerotip Hodgdon Lil’Gun 35.5 2.160 please remove plastic belt from bullet before loading300 SinterFire Lead free Frangible Hodgdon Lil’Gun 35.0 2.220

Accurate AA-1680 50.0 2.220325 Barnes XM Copper HP Accurate AA-1680 47.0 2.153400 Sierra JFP Alliant RL-7 48.1 2.140350 Sierra JHP Hodgdon Lil’Gun 35.4 2.130

H-4227 38.5 2.130300 Speer Gold Dot H-4227 38.8 2.085350 Hornady XTP JHP Lil’Gun 35.4 2.100

.50 Beowulf DataWarning! Notes: maximum case length: 1.655inches; minimum case length: 1.644 inches;primer: CCI 350 Large Pistol Magnum; ensuretaper crimp allows round to chamber easily –DO NOT OVER CRIMP; please note that factorynew brass does not require resizing before use;new and reloaded ammunition should only beused in modern guns in good condition.

Note: Data furnished by Alexander Arms Data.

Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility forerrors in published load data.

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