Ej3
Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2017
- Messages
- 114
I decided to start reloading .223 and began using 55gr FMJ M193 "Demilitarized” bullets from American Reloading (1000ct was on sale for $56 including shipping). I also bought 8 lbs of WC-844 for $150 shipped. Brass was once fired PPU and primers were WSR. For sizing cases I used Hornady One Shot case lube.
Dies: RCBS AR Series Small Base 2-Die Set with Taper Crimp (P/N 11107) and Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Bullet Seater Die (P/N 044102). I had great success with this same die combination for my 300 BLK, and am equally pleased with the .223 dies. For the price, I really like the Hornady seaters as they are easy to fine tune and have the floating bullet alignment sleeve.
Bullets were seated to a COL of 2.200 – 2.210. I found it difficult to get consistent COLs with these bullets. This COL actually seated the bullet slightly beyond the cannulure. And I used a very light taper crimp. I did not trim any cases, but each round was checked using a Hornady Cartridge Gauge.
Having learned the hard way about starting too high with my 300 BLK (especially shooting suppressed), I started on low end, minus 10%. I had read that for WC-844 to use a H335 starting load, less 10%. Hodgdon shows the starting load for H335 and a 55 gr bullet at 23 gr with a max of 25.3 gr. So I started at 21 gr (23/1.1).
My AR-15 has a 16” FN barrel with 1/7 twist and a YHM Phantom QD suppressor. It was a beautiful day today, sunny, low humidity and about 72 deg F. As a test I first shot some Wolf Gold .223 55 gr. Here were my results, 5 shots each at 50 yds:
Wolf Gold – Avg 3049, ES-84, SD-35, 2.25” group
WC-844 (21.0 gr) – Avg 2355, ES-17, SD-9, 2.75” group
WC-844 (21.5 gr) – Avg 2418, ES-40, SD-18, 1.50” group
WC-844 (22.0 gr) – Avg 2496, ES-42, SD-17, 2.25” group
WC-844 (23.0 gr) – Avg 2609, ES-50, SD-23, 3.00” group
WC-844 (23.5 gr) – Avg 2637, ES-73, SD-30, 3.00” group
WC-844 (24.0 gr) – Avg 2727, ES-45, SD-19, 2.50” group
WC-844 (24.5 gr) – Avg 2801, ES-95, SD-36, 2.00” group
WC-844 (25.0 gr) – Avg 2827, ES-66, SD-27, 1.75” group
WC-844 (25.5 gr) – Avg 2909, ES-31, SD-12, 1.00” group
WC-844 (25.8 gr) – Avg 2936, ES-65, SD-23, 2.50” group
A few observations:
Dies: RCBS AR Series Small Base 2-Die Set with Taper Crimp (P/N 11107) and Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Bullet Seater Die (P/N 044102). I had great success with this same die combination for my 300 BLK, and am equally pleased with the .223 dies. For the price, I really like the Hornady seaters as they are easy to fine tune and have the floating bullet alignment sleeve.
Bullets were seated to a COL of 2.200 – 2.210. I found it difficult to get consistent COLs with these bullets. This COL actually seated the bullet slightly beyond the cannulure. And I used a very light taper crimp. I did not trim any cases, but each round was checked using a Hornady Cartridge Gauge.
Having learned the hard way about starting too high with my 300 BLK (especially shooting suppressed), I started on low end, minus 10%. I had read that for WC-844 to use a H335 starting load, less 10%. Hodgdon shows the starting load for H335 and a 55 gr bullet at 23 gr with a max of 25.3 gr. So I started at 21 gr (23/1.1).
My AR-15 has a 16” FN barrel with 1/7 twist and a YHM Phantom QD suppressor. It was a beautiful day today, sunny, low humidity and about 72 deg F. As a test I first shot some Wolf Gold .223 55 gr. Here were my results, 5 shots each at 50 yds:
Wolf Gold – Avg 3049, ES-84, SD-35, 2.25” group
WC-844 (21.0 gr) – Avg 2355, ES-17, SD-9, 2.75” group
WC-844 (21.5 gr) – Avg 2418, ES-40, SD-18, 1.50” group
WC-844 (22.0 gr) – Avg 2496, ES-42, SD-17, 2.25” group
WC-844 (23.0 gr) – Avg 2609, ES-50, SD-23, 3.00” group
WC-844 (23.5 gr) – Avg 2637, ES-73, SD-30, 3.00” group
WC-844 (24.0 gr) – Avg 2727, ES-45, SD-19, 2.50” group
WC-844 (24.5 gr) – Avg 2801, ES-95, SD-36, 2.00” group
WC-844 (25.0 gr) – Avg 2827, ES-66, SD-27, 1.75” group
WC-844 (25.5 gr) – Avg 2909, ES-31, SD-12, 1.00” group
WC-844 (25.8 gr) – Avg 2936, ES-65, SD-23, 2.50” group
A few observations:
- WC-844 meters very well and fine tuning the amounts with my Lock-N-Load Powder Measure was easy and accurate.
- I had no signs of pressure, including the top end load of 25.8 gr.
- While not the most accurate rounds, this combination is very cost effective and works well for general plinking. I read that when using WC-844 you need to work up your loads each time when using a new lot number. So buying this in bulk, maybe 8, 16 or 32 lbs at a time would the way to go.
- I am not sure if I will buy the pulled bullets again. I think in the future I will spend a little more money for more consistent bullets. And, considering my 1/7 twist, I am thinking 62 gr to 68 gr bullets might be a better choice.