First Reload shoot!

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DaveH14

DaveH14

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Newby at reloading. Only available primers for my .556 AR were the CCI 41 milspec. primers. The CCI, mentioned previous post were not actually available. So I went to the range with progressive loads using the CCI 41's. My check round for comparison were PMC .223 Bronze 55 grain FMJ. (I assume small rifle primer). All reloads had 55grain Hornady FMJ bullets in various cases that were resized using the same die. Accurate 2230 powder.

The PMC was dead on bullseye at 50 yards. The progressive loads were slightly higher and to the right but within an inch of the original. Target photo attached. I don't trust the cheap scale I have and will be duplicating the next time with a quality digital scale. But for the first reload I was happy with the group. Could the CCI 41 have cause the hotter shot or could the data be ignored because of questionable scale? Anyhoo I stayed way below the recommended top grain load in the book.
 

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CCI #41 are considered a Mag class primer with a reduced sensitive anvil. So yes it does have some effect on powder burn. The Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT bullets are only a 1 moa bullet, not match grade. Every gun is different, you just need to find what it likes.

Looks like you have a good start.
 
I love AR’s

that was not always the case, until 6 years ago. I bought 10 poverty pony lowers just incase. we, I kept buying everything on sale. Now I have tons of parts and a Progressive .223 press, cool dies, cool seater dies, cooking spray lube.

Tell you what! .223 is challenging to learn to load for.
 
A challenge it is. I just built a 18” 1/8 Wylde for a “precision” AR and am basically starting from scratch again with new powders, and new bullets, and a slightly different chamber. Until this year I had only one AR and it was just a solid basic AR. Then I got a Savage Axis boot 233 and built the new AR and there is definitely a difference.
 
bullseye308 said:
A challenge it is. I just built a 18” 1/8 Wylde for a “precision” AR and am basically starting from scratch again with new powders, and new bullets, and a slightly different chamber. Until this year I had only one AR and it was just a solid basic AR. Then I got a Savage Axis boot 233 and built the new AR and there is definitely a difference.
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All man! Start polishing the sear and lighting the springs on a $30 Lower Part kit. You will think your shooting a match trigger!

AR’s are so much FUN! if you mess up, chunk it and get some more parts
 
The PSA came in a kit from PSA with all but the stripped lower before the great sickness and was 299. I already had a couple lowers so it was easy. I thought that trigger was nice, and it is, but I have experienced a new level now and I understand the accolades they get.
 
bullseye308 said:
The PSA came in a kit from PSA with all but the stripped lower before the great sickness and was 299. I already had a couple lowers so it was easy. I thought that trigger was nice, and it is, but I have experienced a new level now and I understand the accolades they get.
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I remember $299 free shipping no tax PSA complete kits minus the lower!

Triggers that GOOD! i’m so gun broke! lol

tell you what! Progressive is the way to go with loading .223! even if you have to do it in2 stages. Brass prep and trim - then - the loading !
 
Congratulations on starting your new addiction, I mean, umm, avocation.
You might think about getting a good quality balance scale and a check weight set. You don’t have to use it for every charge (the electronic scale is faster) but it’s invaluable for keeping the electronic scales honest.
Read, learn and read some more. There are some really smart, experienced handloaders on THR to learn from too! Above all, be safe and enjoy!
 
twarr1 said:
Congratulations on starting your new addiction, I mean, umm, avocation.
You might think about getting a good quality balance scale and a check weight set. You don’t have to use it for every charge (the electronic scale is faster) but it’s invaluable for keeping the electronic scales honest.
Read, learn and read some more. There are some really smart, experienced handloaders on THR to learn from too! Above all, be safe and enjoy!
Click to expand...
100% agree that a quality balance scale is a must! same with a good American or Japanese dial Caliper! both are EMP tested !
 
A balance should be a requirement as a failsafe and to check any electronic scale. Learn how to zero it and verify with check weights and life will be good. Some powders in some calibers have a very small window between safe and grenade and a digital that is off by a little can be dangerous.
 
I would argue your reloads had a tighter group!

Where that group hits on the target is highly adjustable.

move out 100, than 200 yards and see what happens.

That’s when .3 grains of powder will make a difference.

I learned shooting a bow if I routinely shot at 60-80 yards, at 20 yards I had to have separate bullseyes for each arrow or I would tear of fletching and bust nocks.

If I only shot at 20 yards, the groups rarely shrank.

Shoot those loads as far away as possible!
 
DaveH14 said:
Newby at reloading. Only available primers for my .556 AR were the CCI 41 milspec. primers. The CCI, mentioned previous post were not actually available. So I went to the range with progressive loads using the CCI 41's. My check round for comparison were PMC .223 Bronze 55 grain FMJ. (I assume small rifle primer). All reloads had 55grain Hornady FMJ bullets in various cases that were resized using the same die. Accurate 2230 powder.

The PMC was dead on bullseye at 50 yards. The progressive loads were slightly higher and to the right but within an inch of the original. Target photo attached. I don't trust the cheap scale I have and will be duplicating the next time with a quality digital scale. But for the first reload I was happy with the group. Could the CCI 41 have cause the hotter shot or could the data be ignored because of questionable scale? Anyhoo I stayed way below the recommended top grain load in the book.
Click to expand...
Welcome to THR and the rabbit hole of reloading! Looks like you are off to a good start.
As was asked in a prior post, what is your twist rate. You may find a heavier or light bullet suits you better. Safe reloading! :)
 
@DaveH14, welcome to THR. Congratulations on a successful trip to the range, and back, with your reloads!
Regarding the PMC shot in the bull at first, and the others higher, it could have just been due to the shooter. Now if 10 PMCs were in the bull, and all the others higher, then that’s different. But the fact your reloads are grouping is a good thing. If 50 yards is your plan, you can always adjust your sights. Welcome to the addiction.
 
Different loads, different ammo (handloads vs PMC) will rarely have the exact same point of impact. Sometimes even lot to lot variations will shift the point of impact.

Every balance beam scale I have owned is way more accurate/repeatable than any of the 4 digitals I have tried. One of the most accurate balance beam scales I own is the Lee Safety Scale. It's only drawbacks are it is a bit slower to "settle" and some cannot read (will not learn to read) a vernier scale to adjust the poise.

Welcome to the wonderful, oft confusing and frustrating world of reloading! Go slow, double check everything and most important, have fun...
 
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DaveH14 said:
Newby at reloading. Only available primers for my .556 AR were the CCI 41 milspec. primers. The CCI, mentioned previous post were not actually available. So I went to the range with progressive loads using the CCI 41's. My check round for comparison were PMC .223 Bronze 55 grain FMJ. (I assume small rifle primer). All reloads had 55grain Hornady FMJ bullets in various cases that were resized using the same die. Accurate 2230 powder.

The PMC was dead on bullseye at 50 yards. The progressive loads were slightly higher and to the right but within an inch of the original. Target photo attached. I don't trust the cheap scale I have and will be duplicating the next time with a quality digital scale. But for the first reload I was happy with the group. Could the CCI 41 have cause the hotter shot or could the data be ignored because of questionable scale? Anyhoo I stayed way below the recommended top grain load in the book.
Click to expand...
Looks really good to me. I'm impressed. Stay safe, go slow, make one change at a time so you know if it's positive or negative, try to shoot under same/similar conditions when testing and by all means pick up a better scale, one you trust and is comfortable to use. It might take a few to find one you like. Don't worry about cost, worry about build. Like @LiveLife found in his testing, sometimes a really cheap digital scale can be laboratory accurate.
 
twarr1 said:
Congratulations on starting your new addiction, I mean, umm, avocation.
You might think about getting a good quality balance scale and a check weight set. You don’t have to use it for every charge (the electronic scale is faster) but it’s invaluable for keeping the electronic scales honest.
Read, learn and read some more. There are some really smart, experienced handloaders on THR to learn from too! Above all, be safe and enjoy!
Click to expand...
lre. Already enjoying, blew a disk in my back and have always liked shooting. Now during rehab, I have a lot of time to reload and experiment.
 
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