Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.56 x 45 NATO with .224 | 69gr | Sierra MatchKing bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester 748, ADI AR 2219 and Hodgdon H335.
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% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,295 psi | 71% | 2697 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 2657 fps | 97% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 2707 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2851 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,605 psi | 52% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,005 psi | 72% | 2753 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,821 psi | 80% | 2792 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,633 psi | 81% | 2759 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,386 psi | 81% | 2779 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,375 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,821 psi | 80% | 2792 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,188 psi | 90% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2746 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 70% | 2585 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,359 psi | 84% | 2740 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2703 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,109 psi | 77% | 2717 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,688 psi | 75% | 2707 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
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% | 45,687 psi | 73% | 2589 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,008 psi | 48% | 2339 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,363 psi | 63% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,588 psi | 47% | 2392 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2625 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2625 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,318 psi | 58% | 2559 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 62% | 2457 fps | 97% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,713 psi | 67% | 2513 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 66% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | 19.9 gr | 80% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 2523 fps | 96% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2733 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,470 psi | 44% | 2343 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 55% | 2457 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 2566 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 60% | 2441 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,180 psi | 74% | 2641 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,427 psi | 74% | 2740 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,085 psi | 56% | 2490 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | 21.5 gr | 82% | 38,072 psi | 61% | 2556 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 2503 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,120 psi | 39% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,793 psi | 53% | 2490 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,940 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,312 psi | 77% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2733 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,163 psi | 68% | 2621 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,121 psi | 72% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2625 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,079 psi | 75% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,369 psi | 76% | 2703 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,941 psi | 59% | 2533 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,931 psi | 38% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,269 psi | 77% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,265 psi | 69% | 2635 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 62% | 2530 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,163 psi | 68% | 2621 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2625 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 79% | 2697 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,639 psi | 64% | 2579 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 56% | 2467 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 2457 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,939 psi | 54% | 2398 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,572 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,084 psi | 55% | 2405 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,228 psi | 53% | 2382 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,487 psi | 49% | 2323 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,819 psi | 46% | 2356 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,289 psi | 60% | 2516 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,255 psi | 79% | 2730 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,276 psi | 61% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 23.8 gr | 92% | 45,208 psi | 72% | 2723 fps | 95.7% |
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 86 powders for 5.56 x 45 NATO loaded with the .224 | 69gr | Sierra MatchKing. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,930 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,703 fps to 2,930 fps. Accurate 2015 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 86 of the 86 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 69.0 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. Winchester 748, ADI AR 2219, Hodgdon H335 rank at the top here: for 5.56 x 45 NATO with the .224 | 69gr | Sierra MatchKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.