First time reloader

[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!!!

LGB