.223 AMax for an AR15

[Martyk]

Hello All:
I'm loading .223 for an AR15 (Stag 2T) and picked up some Hornady AMax 75Gr bullets to try. As you know these are LONG bullets and I found that by the time I got them short enough to fit into the magazine, I was really compressing the powder but worse yet, because of the shape of the bullet, there is actually a GAP between the I.D. of the neck, and the O.D. of the bullet.. because the Ogive sits down so far inside.

On this pic, I've actually closed the gap a little with my crimping station.

My load is 23.5 Grains of H4895

The ring around the Ogive of the bullet seems to be coming from my seating die, I'm assuming because I'm compressing the powder so much. Dillon 550B w/ Dillon Dies.

What do you think...?

 

[freakshow10mm]

The 75gr A Max is not recommended to be loaded to magazine length. Look in the manual at the OAL. It's longer than 2.26" for a reason.

 

[Martyk]

Since I was loading to Mag length, I did not really look at the book length. I'm just beginning to play around w/ the .223 round and different bullet styles.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[cougar1717]

I hope you didn't load too many.

 

[Steve_P]

Definitely don't want to shoot those...quite likely that extreme high pressures will be developed and may damage the gun.
Pull em and load them to the OAL the manual suggests.

Steve

 

[ants]

Lyman Manual lists OAL as 2.390" for that exact bullet. That's not a typo.

It won't explode in your face, as long as you stay within published loads.

I use the Varget load in Lyman 48th, and I find that the most accurate is NOT max load, but right in the middle. So the powder is not compressed, and I don't have a crimp problem at the case mouth.

Get the Lyman book and review the published loads for 75g AMax, all loaded less than magazine length.


See 45ACPUSER's comment below. He's right. I'm wrong.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Lyman Manual lists OAL as 2.390" for that exact bullet. That's not a typo.

Hey Sherlock......2.390" is OVER MAG LENGTH (2.260") These bullets are meant to set to just have short jump into the lands! Right about 0.015" ought be just about right. You need a have the right tools to set up to do it right!

Get the Lyman book and review the published loads for 75g AMax, all loaded less than magazine length.

YEAH RIGHT! SURE

 

[kelbro]

The Hornady 75gr BTHP (not AMax) is a great bullet for the 1:9 AR and can be loaded to mag length.

The 75gr AMax is a great shooter in bolt guns and shoots well if single loaded in an AR.

 

[ants]

Hey Sherlock......2.390" is OVER MAG LENGTH (2.260")

You're right, 45ACPUSER!!!

I don't know what idiocy overtook me. I've been loading so many 7x57 and 270 and 30-06 lately that I just didn't pay attention closely enough. You are completely correct, I'm wrong.

ants

 

[45ACPUSER]

You're right, 45ACPUSER!!!

I don't know what idiocy overtook me. I've been loading so many 7x57 and 270 and 30-06 lately that I just didn't pay attention closely enough. You are completely correct, I'm wrong.

ants

You are now the poster child for having your FACTS straight! And, why people need to have their own reloading manuals on their bench! NOT relying on Internet Know It Alls like us posters.....

 

[ForneyRider]

I've used the 75gr Hornady BTHP and 69gr SMK and they work well in 2.26 OAL. They are pretty close to the same length.

75gr A-Max is long like the 80gr SMK or Berger.

 

[counterclockwise]

The 77 gn Sierra Match King HPBT also works at magazine length, because the meplat is truncated by the HP cut. This one also makes for a good target round.

 

[something vague]

Wow, def don't shoot those. And I would also look at getting your seating stem a little polish job to try and combat that big ring around the bullet. It is probably more pronounced on these bullets as you were compressing powder but I would bet you end up with a small ring on other bullets without compressing. I have not gotten a seating die yet that I didn't have to mess with to remove that damn ring. It may not bother you but I had to get rid of all mine as I am shooting mostly for accuracy out of a bolt action. Be very carefull if you do decide to do it yourself, can be a very touchy process.

 

[Birdhunter1]

If you are stuck on the AMAx bullet try teh 52 grain load with 25.8 gr. of benchmark. That load shoots well in about every .223 I have shot and it THE load of choice in my Stevens 200 bolt action (9 twist 22" bbl) and for accuracy in my AR-15 (9 twist 16" bbl).