[ACBMWM3]

I just purchased a reloading setup and I have a couple questions about bullets and primers.
As I look through grafs selection of bullets pretty much all of them say .224
I want to reload .223/5.56
I got a ton of brass so Im good there.
is the .224 what i want?
Also on primers do I want small rifle or large rifle?
thanks

[flynlr]

get more than 1 reloading manual . the questions you have will be taken care of. the ABC's of reloading is a good start.
if you had read any of the manuals . your question would have never been raised.

[dakotasin]

224's are what you want (i suggest a 55 hornady v-max to start with).

small rifle primers will be required.

[RustyFN]

Yes .224 and small rifle primers. Get a good manual, all of that info will be it there including powder data, trim data and OAL.
Rusty

[jcwit]

Check the twist of your barrel.

Fast twist ie: 1 in 9== heavy bullet 55 gr +
Slow twist ie: 1 in 12 or 14 ==Light bullet 53 gr or lighter

[rfwobbly]

Also... 223 for a bolt action is NOT the same loads as 223 for an AR. Be sure your reloading manual covers the type rifle you own.

[dave from mesa]

Also... 223 for a bolt action is NOT the same loads as 223 for an AR. Be sure your reloading manual covers the type rifle you own.
rfwobbly
Plz explain this statement. I have used commercial/military 223 rounds in bolt, semi, single shot and my contender pistols forever. Am I doing something wrong here?
thanks

[Historian]

Dave,
A .223 bolt rifle only requires a resizing of the neck of the cartridge. An autoloader requires full length resizing of the entire case. Also case length is not as critical in an auto as it is in a bolt gun. In either case, the brass should not exceed 1.760". Also, I give a big +1 for "The ABCs of Reloading". It is an excellent primer for the first time reloader.

Historian

[dave from mesa]

Understand what you are saying Historian but it isn't necessary to only neck size for a bolt gun. It is maybe more accurate.
This still doesn't answer the question as to why the loads are NOT the same. Not trying to be a wise guy just don't know why they can't be the same.
Guess what I'm asking is if you have a load that shoots in an autoloader can they be shot in a bolt gun?
thanks

[ACBMWM3]

how about a powder suggestion?

[dave from mesa]

I think it will really depend on the rate of twist of you're barrel. Lighter bullets MAY not use the same powder as heavier.

[ACBMWM3]

its 5.56 AR with a 1:9 twist.

[dave from mesa]

ACBMWM3
My apologies for hijacking you're thread.

[dave from mesa]

First I agree with getting a good reloading manual.
Did find this article that helps explain what bullet and some powder selections.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/st223_120606/index1.html

[ACBMWM3]

haha Dave no problem, it still involved reloading so its always good to know more.

[RustyFN]

I shoot a Rock River AR15 16" barrel 1:9 twist. My two favorite powders are W748 and H335. If you aren't trying to load match grade ammo I have been happy with Hornady 55 grain FMJ-BT bullets, they can be found at a reasonable price and have decent accuracy.
Rusty

[Gungnir]

Not sure about loads, but powder wise W-748, IMR-3031, H335 actually 223 Rem is pretty powder agnostic. Small rifle primers 55gr 224 round. You might also want (depending on your brass if MilSpec) one of these http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600 it simplifies removing the Crimped primers MilSpec use. If it's foreign MilSpec, check to make sure it's got a Boxer Primer Pocket (single flash hole), and not a Berdan Primer Pocket (Anvil in Cartridge head, and two flash holes).

If no one has suggested powder weights by the time I get home, I'll update, my Hornady has a couple of loads for 5.56mm (AR), and a lot for 223.

rfwobbly is correct, load wise, you can vary your powder loads down (or up) a lot more with a manual action than an auto-action, since there needs to be enough energy released (but not too much) from the round to cycle the auto-action, manual action the firer (you) supplies the energy.

You haven't done anything wrong firing commercial ammunition in any of your current guns, but reloading is a different game entirely.

If you haven't already done so get and read the ABC's of reloading, it covers in far greater depth, the difference between manual actions (lever, bolt, etc.) and Semi-Auto actions. As well as showing real world kaBooms from double charging by accident, and good safety protocols. Great read.

[rcmodel]

Guess what I'm asking is if you have a load that shoots in an autoloader can they be shot in a bolt gun?Yes, most certainly.

I shoot the same loads in a Mini-14, an AR-15, and a CZ-527.

A .223 round loaded to .223 specs will work just the same in any action type. Same as any factory loaded .223 ammo.

Unless you are loading speciality heavy-bullet ammo for match rifles, or mil-spec high-pressure 5.56mm loads, there is no differance.

rc

[ACBMWM3]

You guys have been a big help.
I just purchased the ABC's.
I have about 10,000 cases of mainly Lake City brass laying around and I finally decided I need to get into reloading.

[Gungnir]

OK 223 Rem Service rifle reloading info from Hornady, based on Winchester Cartridges, and the Winchester Small Rifle Primer. DO NOT EXCEED MAX LOAD (apologoes for dropping it into an HTML code section it was the only way I could format this into a table looking somewhat readable)

Bullet Dia: 0.224"
Maximum C.O.L: 2.250"
Max Case Length: 1.760"
Case Trim Length: 1.750"


68 Grain BTHP
Velocity (fps)

Powder 2500 2600 2700 2800
----------------------------------------------------
VIHT N-135 21.3gr 22.0gr 22.7gr 23.4gr(MAX)
H 322 21.6gr 22.3gr 23.0gr(MAX)
H 335 21.3gr 22.6gr 23.8gr(MAX)
AA 2230 21.8gr 23.0gr 24.2gr(MAX)
VIHT N-140 22.4gr 23.3gr 24.2gr 25.1gr(MAX)
IMR 4895 22.6gr 23.4gr 24.2gr 24.9gr(MAX)
VARGET 22.7gr 23.4gr 24.2gr 24.9gr(MAX)
BL-C2 22.9gr 23.8gr 24.7gr 25.6gr(MAX)
WIN 748 23.4gr 24.2gr 25.0gr 25.8gr(MAX)


75 Grain A-MAX and BTHP
Velocity (fps)

Powder 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700
-------------------------------------------------------------
IMR 3031 18.6gr 19.2gr 19.9gr 20.5gr 21.2gr(MAX)
AA 2495 18.2gr 19.1gr 20.0gr 20.9gr 21.8gr(MAX)
VIHT N-135 19.8gr 20.3gr 20.8gr 21.3gr 21.8gr(MAX)
AA 2520 18.6gr 19.6gr 20.5gr 21.5gr 22.5gr(MAX)
H 4895 19.3gr 20.1gr 20.9gr 21.7gr 22.5gr 23.3gr(MAX)
RL-15 20.0gr 20.8gr 21.7gr 22.5gr 23.3gr 24.1gr(MAX)
WIN 748 20.2gr 20.9gr 21.7gr 22.5gr 23.3gr 24.0gr(MAX)
VARGET 19.4gr 20.4gr 21.5gr 22.5gr 23.5gr(MAX)
VIHT N-140 20.0gr 20.9gr 21.8gr 22.7gr 23.6gr(MAX)
VIHT N-540 20.6gr 21.4gr 22.1gr 22.9gr 23.6gr(MAX)
BL-C2 21.2gr 22.0gr 22.8gr 23.6gr 24.4gr 25.2gr(MAX)

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I do not own a .223/5.56 but all accuracy depends on matching slug weight/shape to the twist rate of bbl and speed exiting bbl. and of course rigidty of the bbl and stock fit-up.
added to the shooters ability and set-up of course.

[NCsmitty]

If you're using Lake City brass, they tend to be heavier and have slightly smaller capacity than commercial brass. This may cause higher pressure with certain loads that would be fine in commercial brass.
Just be cautious working up loads with it. It's good brass so be glad that you have a good supply. Just don't go mixing case brands.

NCsmitty

[lgbloader]

I have about 10,000 cases of mainly Lake City brass laying around

Now that's just bragging!!!:D

LGB