Reloading .223 for AR Platform

[lazyMlazyK]

I'll soon start reloading for an AR chambered in .223/5.56 Wylde. I built it with a Nordic 18" 1:8 twist barrel. Have some CFE-223, BLC-2, and H380 laying around. This rifle will be used mainly for hunting purposes, so will want to start load development with a hunting bullet, not match. I'd also like to get my wife behind this rifle one day, possibly for deer (I know, not ideal, but CAN be done). With all this said, do you think 65-80 grain bullets would stabilize out of this setup? I see it being used 80% for coyotes, 15% for target, and 5% for deer. Range likely not to exceed 300 on any game.

I really haven't shot it much over the last couple years, but remember that it shoots 55gr factory ammo just "ok".

 

[SDMF]

blc2 and a 50 V-max @ 3150-3200ish oughta shoot really well. Probably 26.5-27gn of powder.

 

[SupressYourself]

You're not likely to find a single bullet that's good at all of those things in .224. You probably want a 50-60gr varmint bullet for coyotes, a 68-75gr match bullet for targets, and pick a different rifle for deer.
Your CFE 223 will sling a 50-60ish varmint bullet plenty fast. IME, the 53gr v-max hammers coyotes and ker-splodes prairie rats, but I'm also pushing it ~3800fps out of a 22-250.

 

[AR-15]

You have a very good mix there SDMF, have used that for years with 50gr, 55gr bullets, can't go wrong with that