5.56

5.56 Testing Parameters

This is our method to get consistent results. It took us many months to prep all the brass to get to the point we could test.

We did NOT test every bullet with every powder, because its pointless. You would NOT buy N140 or N540 to use with 55 grain bullets. Using the faster powders and 77's you will not be able to get the velocity of the slower powders such as Accurate 2520.

Federal Gold Medal
AR Match Primers

We chose these primers for most tests

Berger 77 OTM & 55 Match Target

We chose these to show the most accurate end of the spectrum of bullets.

To be included in our testing, the bullets MUST weight within .02 grains of each other.

Nammo Brass

Full length sized, and they are prepped by chamfering the opening for consistency across the lot. After sizing, and weight sorting, we measured internal capacity which was within ~.1 grains to be included.

Staged and ready

All prepped and ready to load. All have very similar internal capacity. Yes, each one was measured.

Brand new Brass

We sorted through over 8,000 pieces to get the case capacity and weight within our specifications for each test.

Hornady 75 HPBT

These are probably the best "value" match grade bullets you can buy and very popular for many uses. Many powders tested with this.

Nosler 77 Custom Competition

These are similar performance to Sierra Match Kings, and are very common in High Power competitions. We we used these on many powders to test.

Sierra BlitzKing

Many powders we tested loads of this as well. Its a very popular bullet with excellent performance.

Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

Pulled 62 Grain Federal Bullets!! These are supposed to be top tier!!

Click Powder Picture for summary information on each one. Remember please, the results do not "prove" X powder is more accurate than "Y" powder in "your" gun. The purpose of the site is to create a "reference" to help you select a powder and a suitable charge "area" to get your desired results. What is more accurate for us, might not be for you. Accuracy aside, in a 20" barrel, it is logical to assume the velocity achieved with these loads will be at least comparable to a 20" barrel you use. Not exact, comparable. This gives you an idea of where to start to get your desired velocity result faster.

Accurate 2230

Ideal for 5.56.

Alliant AR Comp

Ideal for 5.56

Alliant Power Pro Varmint

Ideal for 5.56

Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR

Slowest burning powder than is applicable to 5.56 (probably)

Winchester 748

Medium burn rate powder for 5.56

Hodgdon H335

Ideal for 5.56

Vihtavuori N133

Ideal for 50-55 grain (lighter/standard) bullets

Vihtavuori N135

Ideal for 55-77 grain bullets

Vihtavuori N530

Similar in burn rate, but slightly slower burning than N133.

Norma 203B

Ideal for 69 grain bullets. Very ideal.

Hodgdon Benchmark

Ideal for 50-55 grain bullets. Perhaps the best?

Vihtavuori N140

Ideal for 69-77 grain bullets

H322

For lighter bullets

IMR 8208 XBR

For heavier bullets

Accurate 2520

Versatile ball powder

CFE223

Versatile ball powder

RL10X

Ideal for 50-55 grain bullets

IMR 3031

Ideal for lighter bullets, fills case a lot

Shooters World Tactical Rifle

Similar to Accurate 2230/2460

Alliant Reloader 15

Top Tier 5.56 Powder for heavier bullets

Vectan Tubal 3000

For heavier bullets

RL15.5

Compressed loads in 223 for heavies

Hodgdon H4895

Great all around powder

MP 540

Somewhat bulky, good for heavy 223

StaBALL Match

Good Ball Powder for ALL 223!

American Reloading No. 56

Very similar to N133. Very premium powder.

Other Reviews

Click on pic...check stuff out

AR15 Small Rifle Primer Tests

With a lights out load, do primers make a difference?

Best 5.56 Powder is?

We think this powder is the best choice for reloading 5.56 Ammo.

5.56 Summary Charts

Powder average MOA, Std Deviations, Velocity for load area, different bullets, huge database

AR15 Small Rifle Primer Tests #2

With a lights out load, do primers make a difference?

Varmint Loads

What powders to consider for 55-60 grain Varmint loads?

7 AR15 Barrels Tested

We took 7 different barrels, compared them to one another....who won?

Pistol Powders in AR15? Subsonic 5.56?

No load data...so we just went to town. We tested this while pulling a string inside a tank (jokes)

FAXON Barrels

And fast burning powders for 77 grain bullets? Is that good?

Lapua Brass VS Nammo Brass

Does good brass make a difference?

Nosler Custom Competition 77 Grain

Lets have a little powder shootout using this bullet!

8 Brands of Brass Tested

Does brand of brass matter?

Pistol Primers in an AR15?

Can it be made to work?

Barrel Break in and Cleaning

Use this 100 step method to perfect break in. Just kidding, it is so easy.

Neck Turning 223 Brass?

Does it matter?

Sierra Match King 77 grain MOLY

In 5.56....tested and reviewed

3 Match AR15 Barrels Compared

In 5.56....tested and compared

50 Grain Frangible "pulled" review

We made our own guess at load data..

Prepping Flash holes?

What happens when we drill out flash holes to be 25% larger? anything?

Does Prepping Brass matter?

Big Brass Prep test here!

Ginex Small Rifle Primers?

Let us check this out...

Can we replicate Berger Commercial ammo?

Yes, we can, very closely.

Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

Barrier Blind jackpot?

Prepping inside of case primer holes?

What if we remove the burs and chamfer inside of primer hole?

Are these similar Powders?

Accurate 2520, StaBALL Match, Shooters World Match Rifle?