Got my first .223 reloading data. Now what?

[RM]

So I just shot my first rounds of .223 reloads: Of the three different loads, all grouped equally well. So how do I decide which load is best when reloading more rounds? Thank you.

Montana Gold 55g FMJ OAL= 2.25 + - .005 Lee FCD Coax Press Made on 7-7-11

25.5 g BLC-2 9 shots Hi- 2743 Lo-2629 Av- 2668 ES- 114 SD- 30
26.5 g BLC-2 9 shots Hi- 2861 Lo- 2772 Av- 2815 ES- 89 SD- 29
27.5 g BLC-2 10 shots Hi- 3003 Lo- 2904 Av- 2964 ES- 99 SD- 27

 

[T Bran]

Move your target another 100 yards and repeat.
T

 

[kingmt]

Is this for a bolt or auto?

 

[RM]

Shooting an AR-15 with 16 inch barrel, 1x3 Weaver scope.

 

[ms6852]

Depends on your goals. Do you want to shoot sub moa at 100 and moa at 200 yards? Is this for hunting or targets. Your target bullets may not abe suitable for hunting and vise versa.

 

[kingmt]

Sorry I don't know much about a auto. I load 5 rounds every .2gr to see which ones best.

MS
I don't know much about MOA except it means minuit of angle but if your shooting sub MOA at 100 would you not keep that same angle at 200 & be at sub there also?

 

[BleysAhrens]

Someone was telling me that you should not reload .223 for the M4 platform because it will not work right with the shorter barrel and gas tube location. I say BS, but just wanted to make sure..

 

[MEHavey]

Someone was telling me that you should not reload .223 for the M4 platform because it will not work right with the shorter barrel and gas tube location. I say BS

And right you should.....!

That's why we handload... to account for exactly those different kinds of parameters. Does anyone think that the commercial guys load for the 14-1/2" M4 differently that the longer 20" M16 ?

BTW, ...what are the M4 ammunition options?
1. M193 – Ball
2. M196 – Trace
3. M199 – Dummy
4. M200 – Blank (Violet tip and 7 petal rose crimp)
5. M855 – Ball (Green Tip)
6. M856 – Tracer (Red Tip)
7. M862 – Short Range Training Ammunition (Plastic with a Blue Tip)

Now compare those to the 7 types of ammunition that can be used with the M16/A2 Rifle:
1. M193 – Ball
2. M196 – Trace
3. M199 – Dummy
4. M200 – Blank (Violet tip and 7 petal rose crimp)
5. M855 – Ball (Green Tip)
6. M856 – Tracer (Red Tip)
7. M862 – Short Range Training Ammunition (Plastic with a Blue Tip)
See http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/index.shtml

Hmmmmmm......

Faced w/ that short a barrel, I'd choose (in rough order)

Hodgdon H322
Accurate 2015
Alliant Reloder-12
Vihtavuori N130
Alliant Reloder-10x
IMR 4198
Vihtavuori N120
Hodgdon H4198
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star
Ramshot X-Terminator
Alliant Reloder- 7

 

[redbullitt]

Id move out a little farther. You will see a difference. Watch for minimal vertical dispersion (assuming you are shooting well supported) and above all function in your weapon.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So I just shot my first rounds of .223 reloads: Of the three different loads, all grouped equally well. So how do I decide which load is best when reloading more rounds? Thank you.

Montana Gold 55g FMJ OAL= 2.25 + - .005 Lee FCD Coax Press Made on 7-7-11

25.5 g BLC-2 9 shots Hi- 2743 Lo-2629 Av- 2668 ES- 114 SD- 30
26.5 g BLC-2 9 shots Hi- 2861 Lo- 2772 Av- 2815 ES- 89 SD- 29
27.5 g BLC-2 10 shots Hi- 3003 Lo- 2904 Av- 2964 ES- 99 SD- 27

If the ammo is just for range use and you are happy with all 3 for accuracy I would load the first recipe because it uses the least powder. There's no reason to waste powder for punching holes in paper. If you are looking for a hunting round and the ammo is going to be used for ground squirrels at distance you're going to want to use the faster round for all the usual reasons you want to go fast with a light bullet at distance...