I have been reloading for quite a few years. Mostly 30-06,3030,38/357,9mm,45acp and 380 auto.
I recently was given my fathers AR 15 that I built for him years back when the Govt was trying to ban assault rifles. I know he never got around to shooting it and now I have it.

My question is, I have severl hundred rounds if used Lake City brass and 55gr fmj-bt winchester bullets. I also have a couple of #,s of W748 powdwer left from a past project. I've seen the max load recommended for the W748 and 55gr bullet was 26.2gr for a pressure of about 41k psi.

What would you guys recommend for a starting load? I was thinking of around 25 to 25.5gr.

Any suggestions?

Sierra lists 25.1 for their 55 grain bullets. I'd go with that.

That sounds good to me. Thanks.

It's time this AR see,s the shooting range.

quote:

I've seen the max load recommended for the W748 and 55gr bullet was 26.2gr for a pressure of about 41k psi.

You sure that 41K is psi and not CUP?

I have used - and still use after over 30 years - 27 grains of W748 and 55-grain bullets in my Colt AR-15. This is below the max charge in Speer and Lyman manuals. Oddly, Hodgdon lists a maximum charge of 26.3 grains at just 39,000 CUP - 'way low! I believe this to be a misprint as there is no starting load listed, and 39,000 CUP is in the range of their other starting loads. But to be safe, start at 25 grains and work up. You will not be able to determine sticky extraction, but primer appearance (not that reliable) and case condition can be guides for you.



.

If it's any help Sierra lists 26.5 as a max.