.223 reloads for AR-15 shooting
 

I've decided that I would rather reload for my AR than buy ammo for it. Basically what I will be doing is plinking. The ammo doesn't have to be precise, just reasonably accurate. What kind of powder and bullets should I look into getting? What recipes do you guys use? My rifle has a 16" (mid length) barrel with a 1/7 twist rate.

Thanks

bump. ....

Powder isnt a very big factor, but I would look at Winchester FMJ bullets. They are reasonable and are of decent quality. Like $55 for 500

Powdervalleyinc.com has good prices and selection (when there is not a huge run on supplies).
I've been reading up on my loads and Varget keeps coming up as an awesome powder for the 16" barrel.

Ramshot TAC is a good, easy metering powder that works well with .223Rem. I don't buy 55gr FMJ for my 1:7 or 1:8 rifles any more. The picture below shows the base of three bullets that came out of the same Winchester packet. The base is the most important part of the bullet when it comes to accuracy.

For plinking you might as well use pulled bullets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/102_0674.jpg

Boat tail or flat base bullets will work, I have have Hornady and Rem fmj 55 gr that are good plinking bullets. You will be looking around quite a bit now, the reloading sites are getting picked over for all 55 gr bullets. I am fixing to pick up a bulk pack of my favorites Nosler 55 ballistic tip.
One of the all time favorite powders is H335 for plinking or pet loads, it's ball shape meters easily and keeps consistent weights. I like the faster burning powders too like Reloader 7 & 10, H4198. They are cleaner burning and do well in my mini 14.

My "standard" load for the past 40 years has been

MilSurp cases
Remington (or winchester) 55 gr FMJBT (M193 ball)
Remington 7 1/2 primers
H335 powder

My loads duplicate M193 Ball.:)

I am similar to locutus;

Once fired brass
55 gr FMJBT (M193 ball) (usually Hornady, but not that picky)
Remington 7 1/2 primers
24.5 gr of Accurate 2230 powder

I have been using CCI and Winchester primers when I cannot get
Remington, no significant change in impact at 300 yds. I also use
milsurp pulled bullets again availability issues.

I've been using h335 powder, cci primers, Winchester 55gr fmj. You might want to try a heavier bullet due to your twist. But it's hard to say

55grain in my 1in7 bcm carbine 16" starts losing its chow around the 300 yard mark. 200 or less 55grain fmj works just fine.