Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.56 x 45 NATO with .224 | 65gr | Sierra GameKing bullet and 51 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H322, SNPE Vectan SP 10 and Shooters World AR Plus.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2736 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,183 psi | 80% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,010 psi | 82% | 2890 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,314 psi | 52% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,776 psi | 77% | 2877 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 2831 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,602 psi | 78% | 2828 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,460 psi | 52% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 2867 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 2831 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 2894 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,417 psi | 84% | 2795 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,930 psi | 67% | 2631 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2927 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,691 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,488 psi | 83% | 2799 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,352 psi | 70% | 2746 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,383 psi | 74% | 2759 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,962 psi | 72% | 2746 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,402 psi | 84% | 2920 fps | 96.7% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2635 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,821 psi | 49% | 2425 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2657 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,994 psi | 48% | 2470 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,424 psi | 70% | 2746 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,405 psi | 60% | 2500 fps | 96% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,076 psi | 69% | 2612 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,668 psi | 64% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,507 psi | 60% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,951 psi | 80% | 2822 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,397 psi | 42% | 2372 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 2507 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 66% | 2615 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 57% | 2477 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,253 psi | 76% | 2733 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 2835 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 20.4 gr | 84% | 36,492 psi | 59% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,929 psi | 64% | 2664 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,220 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,989 psi | 38% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,925 psi | 56% | 2612 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 56% | 2513 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,862 psi | 75% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,951 psi | 80% | 2822 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,729 psi | 70% | 2723 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,470 psi | 75% | 2759 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,524 psi | 67% | 2720 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 74% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2582 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,248 psi | 65% | 2674 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,743 psi | 38% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,572 psi | 75% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,179 psi | 71% | 2723 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,989 psi | 67% | 2674 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | 21.9 gr | 84% | 43,729 psi | 70% | 2723 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,524 psi | 67% | 2720 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 68% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | 21.8 gr | 84% | 40,466 psi | 65% | 2667 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,765 psi | 54% | 2503 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,046 psi | 66% | 2598 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,202 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,993 psi | 77% | 2808 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 64% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,995 psi | 51% | 2418 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,357 psi | 50% | 2411 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,863 psi | 48% | 2448 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,985 psi | 61% | 2598 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,937 psi | 82% | 2828 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,061 psi | 67% | 2690 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,919 psi | 74% | 2805 fps | 95.1% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 51 powders for 5.56 x 45 NATO loaded with the .224 | 65gr | Sierra GameKing. ADI AR 2219 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,949 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,755 fps to 2,949 fps. Accurate 2015 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 51 of the 51 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 52–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 65.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2015, Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon H322, SNPE Vectan SP 10, Shooters World AR Plus rank at the top here: for 5.56 x 45 NATO with the .224 | 65gr | Sierra GameKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.