Reloading for AR-15

[ir3e971]

I just put together an AR-15 and am anticipating I will be doing handloads for it.

I have reloaded for all my other rifles and pistols, but they are all larger calibers than the 223.

Any special advice (recommended powders, etc.) or pitfalls to avoid would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[lordgroom]

I only have one load at the current time. 55 gr FMJBT, 23.0 grains IMR4895, Win Small Rifle Primers gives me .6" at 100 yds. OAL ??? I don't have in front of my, but I crimp just into the cannelure

 

[ir3e971]

I use a lot of IMR4895. Do you have any problems with the powder feeding into the small neck size of the case?

 

[243winxb]

Click on green Sierra link at right (ON THE LINK PAGE) to download Sierra's latest .223 Rem loads for the AR15 http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

I just put together an AR-15

Test fire it with factory ammo first, then reload for it.

 

[ir3e971]

243,

Great link, thanks. I already test fired it using factory ammo.

Appreciate it.

 

[matrem]

The load that Sierra lists as their "accuracy load" in the AR section: 25.7 gr H335 with 55gr bullets is very accurate from my "varmint" AR.
Can't say that it's "the" load for any other rifle(each seems to have their own "personality"),as I own a bolt .223 that "prefers" something different.I will say that 335 meters & loads better than extruded powder.Experimenting is a big part of the fun.Watch those OALs,one of my loads is 2.257 and wouldn't want to go much longer to run through mag.

 

[echo5tango]

My plinking load for the AR is a 55gr Hornady FMJBT over 21.9gr H322 and Wolf SRM primers in LC 5.56 brass. This load averaged 2,678 fps with a standard deviation of only 4.08.

I ONLY use 5.56 brass since I also load a stout m193-class load with 23.9gr H322 which gets me an average 2,935fps.

This is all out of a 16", 1/9 twist, 5.56-chambered barrel.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

You can find a few pages of info HERE.

Its some of my ramblings...there is some good info there, but it is mostly 5.56x45mm NATO spec loads...they may be bit "hot" in a 223 Remington chamber.

 

[Hoosier Reloader]

One of my favorite .223 Rem loads is:
A 69gr Sierra #1380 HPBT over 24.5 gr of Ramshot TAC.
1/9 twist

 

[NuJudge]

Some sites and threads to look at

For short range (100 yards, maybe 200 yards if no wind), I like 26.5gr 748, a 52 or 53gr match bullet (I prefer Sierra) and CCI primer in Lake City or Winchester brass. If an AR won't shoot with this, it won't shoot with anything.

There are a lot of sites with suggestions for match loads:

http://www.jarheadtop.com/faq_ar_loads_for_highpower.htm
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/st223_120606/index.html
http://radomski.us/njhp/
http://www.northfloridashooting.com/Misc/Reloading for the AR15.htm
http://www.whiteoakprecision.com/info-reloading.htm

You'll have to register to see them, but here are some threads that I think you will find useful:
http://www.nationalmatch.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=694&hl=ball powder&st=0
http://www.nationalmatch.us/forums/index.php?&showtopic=694&hl=ball powder&st=15
http://www.nationalmatch.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=5866&hl=69+SMK
http://www.nationalmatch.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=3973&hl=77+gr+sierra

 

[Slamfire]

IMR 4895 is an excellent .223 powder. In my testing I found 24.0 grs with a 69 SMK gave excellent accuracy. That gave under 2800 fps in an Armalite NM with a 20" Wilson match barrel.

A friend of mine shoots the 52 gr Match bullets at one hundred yard matches. His super secret load is with H4895. I have seen him shoot 20 shot groups prone, with irons, that would fit inside a fifty cent piece, maybe a quarter.

4895 is a short stick powders, but the the Vihtavuori powders are even shorter cut. I am using those, and AA4064 through my Dillion for my short range (LT 300 yards) ammunition.

I don't know if you will have powder feeding problems, if you are loading from a block, just tap the funnel.

I would recommend that you purchase a Wilson type cartridge headspace gage, and set up your dies with that. Just size the cases to gage minimum. Prime all cased by hand and verify that each and every primer is below the case head. I trim each firing, but I have a Gracey trimmer and I just ripped through Saturday's 88 rounds of .223 fired in a highpower match in less than five minutes. I trim to 1.750" because it is an easy number to remember.

Seat bullets to LT 2.250", forget the load into the lands, or .010" off the lands, just seat the stuff so it does not jam in the magazine.

 

[Lt.94075]

Reloading 223

I used several different powders, IMR 4198 21.5 using a 55 grain bullet. Then 2230 accurate 25 grain using 55 grain bullet. I like the 2230 powder using 55 grain bullet. It is easy to load (around shape) better than stick shape.

 

[ir3e971]

Thanks for all the input. I discovered the joy of reaming out primer pockets today. That is a process that will need to be automated in the near future of this project.

 

[mswestfall]

ir3e971
What is the bbl twist and the desired bullet weight?

 

[jr_roosa]

I discovered the joy of reaming out primer pockets today.

I bought the RCBS swager that goes in the press. My Pacific press doesn't quite generate the leverage to pop the case off after swaging, so it was rather annoying to do 50 .30-06. I can't imagine doing hundreds of 5.56 without a more solidly mounted press, but it would probably be better than some of the other tools.

-J.

 

[rodregier]

Dillon Super Swage 600 does a nice job of dealing with primer pocket crimps. Sold with small and large pocket swages, small and large diameter case mouth fixtures - the full meal deal

I mount mine on a piece of 2x4, swage while watching video.

 

[lordgroom]

I have no problem with metering in my powder measure with the IMR4895.

+1 with the Dillon Super Swage

 

[ir3e971]

mswestfall,

1/9 twist and 55 gr. bullets.

Just read another post about slamfires, and that gave me another thing to worry about. I am using the CCI nato primers though, so hopefully it wont be a problem.

 

[Slamfire]

Just read another post about slamfires, and that gave me another thing to worry about. I am using the CCI nato primers though, so hopefully it wont be a problem

Maybe I am spooking the novices too much on slamfires, but with an AR they happen, but it is very, very rare. And the best part is that in a AR, the bolt is in battery. At least for the ones I have seen, and experienced.

Just don't use the most sensitive primers around (Federals are in that list), check to see that the primers are below the case head, and always point the muzzle away from anything you don't want dead, when you release the bolt.

One divot in front of the firing line sure scared me, and everyone else on the firing line. I have been and continue to be aware of what is downrange when I drop the bolt.

 

[ForneyRider]

I am setting up to load for my new Panther bull 20.

I got the RCBS primer pocket swager for primer pocket crimped brass.

I have mixed brass.

Hoping to use 50gr V-Max and H-VARGET powder. It's the same stuff we use for a .22-250. H-Varget 25gr to 27.5gr (compressed) are min and max from my load sources.

I don't have an OAL yet. But I will start with min. load (3250fps) and match the length of my factory rounds.

I'll test with Federal, CCI, and maybe Winchester. Depends on what I can find locally.

 

[Evenflo76]

I'm using Remington 7.5 small rifle primers for my 223 AR. Only fired 20 rounds so far, but they all went 1 at a time.