Components / Pet load for a 11.5" 1:7 stainless barreled AR Pistol?

[.40isthenew.45]

I am finally getting around to building a pistol, so now the question is what do I feed it?

24 grains of Varget behind a 75gr Hornady BTHP seems pretty popular for 16" and up, but is Varget a good choice for the shorter barrel?

I am looking for something as a defensive round in the 200 yard and under range that also won't erode the stainless barrel in an accelerated fashion.

Open to suggestions since, unless I use the rifle load listed above or something close, I am going to have to go buy powder and projectiles anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Bonus points for including links to In Stock sources of recommendations.

[Zombie Steve]

As much as I like Varget in general, it's going to get crunchy with long bullets in .223. I load 69 grain hpbt's, and it's pretty compressed in the case to get it to mag length. Not the end of the world, but I've been having a lot of good results with CFE223 lately. Very similar in burn rate, but it's a pretty easy metering ball powder. As to its effectiveness in an 11.5" barrel, I have no experience.

[.40isthenew.45]

I was expecting a little bit of compression on the load with Varget. What I am really looking for is the DIY equivalent of http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/556-nato/75-gr-tap-sbr. But for less than $1 a round and in stock.https://www.ar-15.co/images/smilies/AR15firing.gif
(http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/556-nato/75-gr-tap-sbr)
TAP® SBR™ is designed specifically for 10.5"-11.5" SBR’s by using proprietary propellant technology and a bullet designed with technology from industry leading Critical Duty® FlexLock® bullets. TAP® SBR™ provides exceptional ammunition performance in SBR’s suppressed or unsuppressed, with virtually no flash or residue, dramatically reduced sound signature, will not foul or overheat suppressors, uniform velocity and accuracy, and provides controllable rate of fire in automatic platforms. Designed to meet the requirements of the FBI protocol, TAP® SBR™ is the optimum choice for 10.5"-11.5" barreled 5.56 rifles.

11.5" COLT M4 1:7" claimed 2270 fps at the muzzle and 1622 at 200 yards




Muzzle
100 Yards
200 Yards
300 Yards
400 Yards
500 Yards


Velocity (fps)
2270
1928
1622
1361
1160
1030


Energy (ft lbs)
858
619
438
308
224
177


Trajectory (in)
-2.5
3.5
0
-16.8
-52.6
-114.1

[SA Friday]

Why are you reloading defensive ammo?

[.40isthenew.45]

Perhaps I should have asked, what powders and heavy bullets work best in a 11.5" barrel. Without getting into intended uses. What I meant to convey with "defensive" was a reasonably heavy bullet at velocities over 1500 fps at 200 yards. I don't have any experience with that short a rifle barrel and was hoping someone else had. My understanding although limited was that the AR pistols tended to function better with heavier bullets but I am open to suggestions....

or

... for less than $1 a round and in stock.[AR15]

If I could find the Hornady stuff in stock for under 75 cents a round, I would just purchase it.

[Great-Kazoo]

I use TAC. Load development is up to you.

I have 1/2 doz boxes of the 75 gr TAP ammo. Been looking to swap for the 55gr stuff.

[.40isthenew.45]

pm inbound

[SA Friday]

Perhaps I should have asked, what powders and heavy bullets work best in a 11.5" barrel. Without getting into intended uses. What I meant to convey with "defensive" was a reasonably heavy bullet at velocities over 1500 fps at 200 yards. I don't have any experience with that short a rifle barrel and was hoping someone else had. My understanding although limited was that the AR pistols tended to function better with heavier bullets but I am open to suggestions....

Just try some 55gr FMJ stuff with TAC first. My reloads run through my 10.3" just fine. I believe the 75-77gr bullet is better in all ARs across the board. They just shoot better. That being said, they are crazy expensive in comparison to bulk 55 FMJ. I know the thread is asking a different question, I'm just not sure the question is the whole picture.

[Great-Kazoo]

Just try some 55gr FMJ J. I know the thread is asking a different question, I'm just not sure the question is the whole picture.

I agree.

Powder - bullet - twist rate

I did Privi 75's for a 1:8 20" project. Everything else gets 55gr fmj's, then JSP's for the varmints