Accurate 4064 M855 and M193 5.56 Load data...

[the86d]

I can't seem to find much data, any help would be appreciated.
Projectile: M855 is 62 gr, and M193 is 55 gr, both FMJs.

I understand that IMR4064 is not the same burn rate as "Accurate 4064", but close.

It looks, from the 2 or so posts I COULD find, that 26.5-27gr of Accurate 4064 is ~max load for 55gr in .223, but I am looking for 5.56 NATO velocities, so should I be fine with just under MAX load for .223, as I have a NATO chamber, and Varget compressed loads were giving me right around the NATO velocities I was pushing for (via chrono). I have to load a bunch of ammo for a trip to visit a friend, and don't have time to work up a load.

I have never seen any overpressure-signs on primers on any of my reloads for rifle, yet (CCI #41, or any SRP from other primer MFRs I have tried). I have seen overpressure signs on other people's factory M855 brass at the range...

Even links to load data would be appreciated.

[Noonanda]

In the Nosler 7th edition manual for 5.56x45 Load data it shows IMR 4064, 77-80 Gr bullet, Min 21.5 Max 23.5. This would be a good starting point, but you would need to work up your load. Sorry I couldnt be more help.

5.56x45mm NATO - 77/80 grain

POWDER POWDER CHG.MUZZLE VEL. F.P.S. LOAD DENSITY
IMR 4064 23.5 MAX. 2659 97%
22.5 * 2583 93%
21.5 2458 89%
*Most Accurate Load Tested

[Bastard]

sooo you are looking for an untested load (at least untested in your rifle) so that you can load in volume without any sort of work up or verification...
I don't see this going wrong at all.

err, I mean yeah I use that powder/bullet combination in all of my ARs & 195.2 grains is the most accurate, best load ever created... aka the god load (because if you try it you might just meet him)

[the86d]

sooo you are looking for an untested load (at least untested in your rifle) so that you can load in volume without any sort of work up or verification...
I don't see this going wrong at all.

err, I mean yeah I use that powder/bullet combination in all of my ARs & 195.2 grains is the most accurate, best load ever created... aka the god load (because if you try it you might just meet him)

Sure, I'll pack that 195gr of 4064 in a .223 case like it was PB, after grinding it up... to make sure it fits...

I really need to invest in a single stage press to work up loads. I am pushed for time, and just yesterday found a source of rifle powder that should work, and it is in hand. In my Lyman paperback load data it states for 60gr projectiles, IMR 4064: 23.8@2725FPS@35,500CUP starting and 26.0+@3074FPS@49,900CUP. The max load for IMR is still 5100CUP under standard NATO load pressures of 55,000CUP (~62,000psi) I keep reading consistently.

I am really just looking for a starting point, as I never load min-loads, and wouldn't trust max-loads unless I work-up myself, just looking for something in the middle to start from, as powder is so inconsistent in what is available locally in large QTY (8lbs), I cannot really start on the low end.

It looks like some people with 26" barrels were getting about to an AVG of average 3,150 fps in a bolt .223 gun with 26.0gr, they didn't state their twist. I am running a 20" Semi-AR with a 1:8 with a heavy-barrel so 25gr should be a good starting point for what I want and should cycle okay with a stick powder of this burn rate.

I am going to probably be able to hit the range like once in the next two weeks, and all I have is my progressive XL 650 as of right now. It appears that the burn is close to Varget and Reloader 15, and IMR4064 so I am going to load up some with CCI #41's and 25.0 gr of Accurate 4064 and maybe a few working up from there to like 25.8, and check for overpressure signs along the way, and crono if the rifle range is slow enough to allow for it. This should let me find a good load I want to produce for the excursion 2 weeks out.

Thanks for the info Noonanda!

[the86d]

During further research, I came across these quotes:
“In the 2013 Hodgdon Annual Manual, Varget is shown as slower burning than Accurate 4064,” (I verified this via the links below...)
“use IMR 4064 load data to fill in Accurates gaps in load data”
“I've got one manual that says 24.7gr of 4064 is a compressed load another says 26gr; I don't see compression until I get to 25.5gr though in these LC.”
"IMR-4064 is too slow of a burning powder for 223 for the best results...
Velocities will be low because you can't get enough powder in the case to reach normal operating pressure...But the loads will function an AR."

It looks like IMR’s 4064 is just faster than Accurate’s 4064 (according to http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html and http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...burn_rates.pdf ), so if I were to use IMR load data, but still have a good load as some middle-ground starting, and not go overpressure.
Edit: It looks like Accurate lists their 4064 powder right at Reloader-15 burn rates.
Hodgdon lists Accurate's 4064 as faster than Varget, and Reloader-15 between the two. Curious.

I was able to find some more references to Accurate 4064 data

Bullet	Charge	FPS	BARREL
--------------------------
53      25.5	3100	16"
55	26	3150	26"
55	26.5	3180	
55	26.5	3222	26"
65	22.7	2462	16"
65	24.2	2877	16"
68	23.88   2636	
68	24.5	2749	
75	23.88	2636

It looks like my starting point of 25gr of Accurate 4064 should work perfectly for the one range-test I'll be able to get before my bulk-load-session.

[the86d]

IMR Data:

Bullet   Powder    C.O.L. CHRG.  Vel.   Press      CHRG.  Vel.  Press
62gr...  IMR4064   2.260" 21.9   2671  	42,200PSI  23.6   2928	53,200PSI

[FLIGHT762]

I have used Accurate XMR4064 in the .223 Remington for two of my AR's. For a 55 grain bullet, I used 25.3 grains and for a 69 grain bullet, I used 24.3 grains.

No blown primers in either load out of my rifles. XMR 4064 is a slower burning powder for use in the .223 Remington (similar to Varget, RE-15 ). It works well with the heavier bullets, but you will find with the lighter bullets, it is too slow. 25 grains with a 55 grain bullet will give you ammo that will function the rifle, but velocities will not be as high with a more appropriate powder.

[Exodus343]

Accurate powder have 5.56 load data on their website

[the86d]

I have used Accurate XMR4064 in the .223 Remington for two of my AR's. For a 55 grain bullet, I used 25.3 grains and for a 69 grain bullet, I used 24.3 grains.

No blown primers in either load out of my rifles. XMR 4064 is a slower burning powder for use in the .223 Remington (similar to Varget, RE-15 ). It works well with the heavier bullets, but you will find with the lighter bullets, it is too slow. 25 grains with a 55 grain bullet will give you ammo that will function the rifle, but velocities will not be as high with a more appropriate powder.

THANK YOU.

I got it because it was one of the few I could find, and I wouldn't buy it again. Powders are appearing on the shelves, but I have 2lbs of this stuff.

Accurate powder have 5.56 load data on their website

Not that I could find for 4064.

[the86d]

Both the M855 and M193 projectiles seemed to shoot fine (POI on adjacent hill) compared to Federal 55gr .223 and PMC X-TAC (PMC's M855?) with 25gr of Accurate 4064. I only shot 23 of the M855 reloads, and 3 of the M193's. Next range trip, I need to send them over the chrono(, as the last trip was deep in the mountains).

I need to see about a cheaper powder, or find some powder in bulk (tough locally right now), as these cost me about the same as retail ammo with buying 1lb at a time...

The X-TAC did about the same damage to the steel-plate as the reloads. (I had it set off at an angle to deflect just in case, so I didn't get any holes through it...)
7.62x39 did "slightly" more damage than the both SS109 projectiles fired at it.
I should have brought some Federal XM855 for X-Tac comparison, but did not.