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Thread: .223/5.56

  1. #21
    Join Date
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    Default Re: .223/5.56

    As I said in an earlier post, there is no meaningful variation in internal volume for .223 and 5.56 across all headstamps. I found 5.56 cases (of different headstamp) with less and more volume than all the various headstamp .223 cases I looked at. This means for plinking ammo. Find a safe load and don’t bother sorting. For precision loads, stick to one headstamp.

    When I make .308/7.62x51 plinking loads, I load the 7.62 cases with 10% less because they have “generally” 10% less internal volume, due to greater thickness in the base of the case.

    I use the same dies for 5.56/.223 and I use the same dies for .308/7.62x51.

  2. #22
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    Default Re: .223/5.56

    Try weighing different batches of fired, sized and identically trimmed brass.
    As was mentioned earlier, you'll see indicated variations in internal volume.

  3. #23
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    Narvon, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: .223/5.56

    I used to separate all my cases by head stamp. they all get the same load regardless of case, 24 gr of H335 under a 55gr FMJ CCI #400 SR primer. Im not loading for competition, just range fodder and bulk inventory, never had any issues in several different rifles.
    now I just separate mil vs civvie brass just to deal with the primer pockets. afterwards they get mixed together and prepped tumbled,trimmed and loaded regardless of head stamp. I use Lee 223 dies on a progressive and load 1000 round batches at a time.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Yutopia, Pennsylvania
    (Westmoreland County)
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    Default Re: .223/5.56

    Quote Originally Posted by bogey1 View Post
    It never dawned on me when collecting brass for reloading. I never separated the 556 from the 223, and there aint no
    way I'm sorting them now if even possible.
    Question is, can the 223 be reloaded with a 556 die or vice versa.
    One more question, what is the best powder for tracers (223) I know some powders wont light tracers.

    Here are the SAAMI specs for rounds.... no 5.56 mm NATO.

    https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads...sting-Copy.pdf


    Here is Hornady's explanation...

    There are some differences in how the chamber is constructed in the 5.56, which can lead to pressure excursions in the 223 Remington.

    https://www.hornadyle.com/resources/...rem-ammunition

  5. #25
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    Default Re: .223/5.56

    Once upon a time I was intrigued by the sage warning about heavier wall thicknesses.
    Picked up a bunch of different head stamps at the range and elsewhere. Made sure they were clean inside and out and then weighed each one. So, you can find variations between batches with .223 cases that are heavier than 5.56 from the US, Europe and Korea. And the best I know to tell anybody is be sure you know what you're doing if you're using mixed batches, a powder throw and working up high end loads.

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