Reloading .223

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JO JO

JO JO

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Just started reloading 223 for my AR,
I am using TAC powder my question is what primer is good reloading book
data shows WSP, lgs has cci 400 , 450, and rem 7 1/2 on shelf,
Just looking to see if there is any AR specific concerns with primers,
have read that AR needs a thick primer due to its floating firing pin ?
Thanks for any advise given
 
I would go with the CCI 450. They are supposedly a little thicker and resist slam fires. I have never had a slam fire with the Remington 7 1/2's and I have used hundreds of them. I think the 450's fit tighter in worn primer pocket as well. kwg
 
Magnum primers are generally recommended for the AR15, however the AR15 isn't known for slam firing. I have used standard and mag for years without any problems.
 
As to CCI primers many will suggest the CCI #41 mil-spec primer for 223 loadings to be used in an AR. I guess that is OK if you can find them and want to pay the added cost.
Military-style semi-auto rifles seldom have firing pin retraction springs. If care is not used in assembling ammunition, a “slam-fire” can occur before the bolt locks. The military arsenals accomplish this using different techniques and components—including different primer sensitivity specifications—from their commercial counterparts. CCI makes rifle primers for commercial sale that matches military sensitivity specs that reduce the chance of a slam-fire when other factors go out of control*. If you’re reloading for a military semi-auto, look to CCI Military primers.
*Effective slam-fire prevention requires more than special primers. Headspace, chamber condition, firing pin shape and protrusion, bolt velocity, cartridge case condition, and other factors can affect slam-fire potential.
Click to expand...

That said I have been using CCI #400 or 450 as well as other small rifle primers and never had a problem. Ramshot makes mention of using WSR which should work fine even though their test rifle wasn't an AR type. Hornady suggest the same for 223 across the board including service rifle loads.

Ron
 
I have loaded plenty of CCI #400 and TAC for AR's without issue over the last few years.

If you didnt already know, TAC shoots best at, near, or just over published data. IIRC I was a tenth of a grain over max for my 55gr bullets
 
JO JO said:
...reloading book
data shows WSP...
Click to expand...

I doubt your book recommended WSP--Winchester Small pistol--primers.

I'd guess you really mean WSR--Winchester Small Rifle--primers.

I have used CCI400, CCI #41, and Remington 7-1/2 in my ARs.

I have never had any problems with CCI400 in any of my AR-15s as long as the load data did not recommend a magnum level primer.
 
450 or 41 for ar15. I've experienced slam fires with 400. Its no big deal since the ar15 cant slamfire out of battery, but I did get some double fires.
 
Question not a challenge...what prevents an AR15 from slam firing out of battery?
 
I've fired the AR-15 with regular CCI primers with no problem, but everything I have loaded now is with the #41. Same thing with the #34 in the large rifle semiauto chamberings. It's just insurance. It is interesting to note that if an unfired round is extracted from a Garand chamber, the primer invariably has a little dimple from the floating firing pin.
 
I pretty much use Federal primers for all of my reloading needs. If your primer is seated properly you will have no issues with bump fires. I uniform my primer pockets if I do not like the seating depth in a particular lot / brand of brass.

CB
 
If you can find CCI #41's for a decent price, that's what I would use. I have used CCI#41, CCI400, and Tula KVB-223 without issue. I have been using CCI400, and KVB-223 for about a year now since I found the CCI's for $31/1k, and the KVB's for $25/1k. I just completed an Advance Carbine class 2 weeks ago running 2,000 rounds of .223 using CCI400, H335, and X-Treme 55gr FMJ without a single failure in my Daniel Defense M4v5. However I did find a LGS that had a case of 5,000 CCI#41 for $170. I couldn't resist picking them up since most places ask $39/1k.
 
5.56/.223 case isn't that big...very small internal volume which means magnum primers are generally not necessary.
 
"""Question not a challenge...what prevents an AR15 from slam firing out of battery""""

The bolt must be rotated into a locked position in order to shorten itself enough to allow the firing pin to protrude from the bolt face. If something was broken in the bolt, an out of battery slam fire is a possibility.

edfardos
 
I'd go with the 7 1/2 Remingtons. I've loaded thousands of rounds for both ARs and bolt guns and have never had an issue.
 
I also use WSR primers, however I've also used Federal Bench Rest SR Primers, in my 20" bull barrel AR15, using IMR4198 powder for the most accurate loads, using a 53-60 grain BT/HP bullets.
 
I get dimples in my unfired AR reloads. Never a slam fire but it makes me wanna change for my next loadings. CCI 400's
 
Now hold up yall, Im gettin ready to start loading 223s but now you guys got me (more) nervous. All this about finicky primers and slamfires and such. Ive got WSR stockpiled. Did I do a boo boo on the brand I picked?
 
Potatohead said:
Ive got WSR stockpiled. Did I do a boo boo on the brand I picked?
Click to expand...

No, Winchester Small Rifle will serve you well in an AR-15.

Make sure your primers are seated below flush. High primers have been known to cause slam fires in semi-auto military rifles.

Keep your bolt and bolt carrier clean to prevent accumulation of debris that might restrict the movement of the firing pin.

Dimples in the primer upon loading in the rifle, but not firing the round are normal. It happens will virtually all floating firing pin rifles. My AR-15s and M1 Garands do this.

Primers to avoid in your AR-15.

Federal primers have a reputation of being more sensitive than other brands.

Remington 6-1/2 small rifle primers had issues with pierced primers around the introduction of the 222 Remington. Remington came out with the 7-1/2 primer to eliminate that.

Hope this helps.
 
I was only using CCI400 for about 10k rounds And no issues

I recently pur based 5k tula and 5k CCI450 since that's all that was a ailabile

I have not used any others In .223.......

I understand some concerns people have but I have. Been recall happy with the CCI400s in my ARs
 
I'm a CCI 450 man myself but have several hundred WSR primers I will use as "alternates" if we go "hard to find" again. WSRs are supposed to have an occasional slam fire issue but every time I read about them in this context all's I read is "thousands fired...no problem." Researching my own question earlier about the AR-15 firing out of battery I had my bolt carrier out (actually my Daughter's :) ) and indeed the bolt had to be rotated into battery before the healthy firing pin can contact the primer. Firing out of battery would have to be from another issue. Gotta go...I've got a 90 pound Labrador trying to crawl on top of me. A nine year old who still thinks he's a nine-week old lap puppy. :uhoh:
 
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