Reloading .223/5.56mm

[Dave D.]

Gonna hijack this thread a bit sorry, But can you load 5.56loads in a 223casing? And does anyone know of anyloads that are 5.56spec with a 55gr bullet?

I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect that when loading for an AR it'd probably be best to stick to once-fired military brass like the Lake City stuff, IVI or what have you. The military cases are more robust than .223 Remington cases, and at the very least they'll hold up a bit better under all the knocking-around they'll get in a semi-auto rifle and give you somewhat longer brass life.

That's just my guess, and it's what I plan on doing when I start loading for my AR-15; but I don't know that it's really critical for safety or performance or anything like that.

[imashooter2]

Gonna hijack this thread a bit sorry, But can you load 5.56loads in a 223casing? And does anyone know of anyloads that are 5.56spec with a 55gr bullet?

There is no difference in the cases for .223 Remington and 5.56x45. Loads that make military specification speeds are generally over published SAAMI maximums. Such loads may well be safe in your rifle, but you will have to work up a load to be sure. I recommend that you start with slow for the case ball powders (WW748, BL-C(2)) as your best bet to get the speed you want before pressure signs stop you. Start at published minimum and work up slowly. Be careful, be safe...

[XD45]

I probably won't even go there, since i'm gonna load for accuracy, and i've got about 750 69gr federal defense ammo I won about 2yrs ago.. Just wondering the difference in the loads powder measurement wise.

[Dave D.]

Just wondering the difference in the loads powder measurement wise.

From what I've read lots of places, the mil spec brass has slightly thicker walls and therefore slightly less internal volume-- and therefore requires a slightly lighter (by a couple percent or so) powder charge to obtain the same pressure.

[Lycanthrope]

Now.....one thing you WILL notice about .223 casings is that they can vary a lot in terms of case vloume. There is a half a grain capacity difference between Winchester and PMC casings.

I use Winchester casings for serious work due to my experiences with them in other calibers. If I was serious about speed, I may buy a bunch of Lake City brass.

Every rifle is different. Always work up and watch for pressure signs.

[bert304]

I bought 2000 Lake city case that are once fire. I am going to check the 69 grain SMK I was going to use 55grain Hornady FMJ.

[Lycanthrope]

I bought 2000 Lake city case that are once fire. I am going to check the 69 grain SMK I was going to use 55grain Hornady FMJ.

While I have not tried the Hornday. The SMK and the Nosler Custom Competition bullets have done best for me.

Lycanmidwayhasgoodpricesthrope

[bert304]

Well I loaded some rounds with Benchmark and Varget. Varget was the better powder. Benchmark at 23.7 grains was accurate. but Varget had 25.7,25.8 and 27.0 grains were accurate. For running thru the progressive press I would go with the 25.7 ,25.8 grains. I use Varget in my 7mm-08, I guess it is an all around good powder.

[gater]

SMK Stands for Sierra Match King. Made by Sierra.

www.sierrabullets.com

[Warpt762x39]

Im looking into starting to load 5.56 when I start my AR project. I just want something roughly equivalent to the SS109 even if not in the velocity dept. Accuracy wont be too big an issue for a while as I can hardly shoot as accurately as my SKS shoots (which is pretty accurate for what it is) So for a while its gonna be a whole bunch of 62 gr FMJ but later I want to build a second AR with a heavier SS barrel and find a more accurate load for it as its going to be optics only.