SmallCaliberCentral

Howdy guys, I got a S&W mp15 PC with a 20" heavy target barrel in 223 last summer and have had good luck with killing coyotes with it. But I use 25 gr of Varget in it and the muzzle velocity is around 2800 or so and it drops off pretty fast past 150 yrds. So I bought a pound of Ramshot Exterminator to maybe pick up the speed a few fps and make it shoot a little flatter. Does anybody have any good loads with this powder that will push a 55gr Nosler BT up to at least 3100fps safely in an AR with this lenght of barrel ? I can't find any data for an AR with Experminator and this bullet. Thanks

I'm not ignoring your request for info, but I really don't shoot 55gr bullets with my X-Terminator...All of my loads are set up with 40gr V-Max & 50gr SBKs out of my 1/14 twist barrel...so I'm hesitant to put out specific loads...I use TAC for my 60gr V-Max loads

The only thing I can suggest is to use the same load information for any 55gr bullet in the Ramshot load data, starting at least a full grain below their published Max load and work up in .2gr increments...I usually seat mine at the 2.25" when the bullet is long enough to allow it..

You may want to consider W748, as it is the closest powder that matches military ball used in the 5.56 that is formulated for the gas system of the M16/AR15 platform.

Some powders will leave excessive residue in the gas system, causing less than desired performance from the weapon.

H335 pretty much always works for 223s.

The best powders I have found over the last 10 years are Reloader 15, Varget, Blc-2. I shoot 25 G of 15 over 68MHP bullets. It by far is the most accurate load I have used and I have not changed it in 10 years. I shoot the other 2 when shooting 55-62 g as well and will not change. You can shoot the loads a little hotter . I have 4 AR 223 uppers and they each are different, but they will shoot these powders pretty much the same. I have not had any problems with them falling off as you say. Good Luck! I do believe the new M&P will allow you to load a little hotter!

I've had good luck with;

H4895, Varget, RE-15, N135 & N540. I shoot heavier bullets 75-80gr bullets. I've shot my buddies 223 Varmint rifle in 223 and he uses H335, its a hammer.

HTH,

Jim

In five different 223 AR's, a load of 25.5grs. of XBR8208 behind a 50gr. Sierra BK, seated at 2.558", sparked by a Fed 205 primer, helped all shoot one-hole groups. Velocity out of my DPMS 20" varmint was 3128fps. YMMV.

+1 to RIO.
26.6gr of 748 behind a 55gr bullet is the long-time accuracy standard.