.223 load recipes

[newfalguy101]

A DPMS AR-15 followed me home from the last show I was set-up at and now I need to feed it!!

Any proven recipes would be greatly appreciated.

My main purpose for the gun is plinking and maybe some three-gun, no lil itty bitty groups at 1,000 yards in the near future for me.

I will likely be running 55 grain FMJ bullets, which seems to be "standard"

Thanks in advance

[euripides]

The new Speer loading handbook has milspec loads for 55 and 62 gr FMJBT bullets. I am using 24 grains of AA2460, WLR primers under 62 gr in NATO spec cases. Accurate and consistent.

[newfalguy101]

Originally posted by euripides
The new Speer loading handbook has milspec loads for 55 and 62 gr FMJBT bullets. I am using 24 grains of AA2460, WLR primers , under 62 gr in NATO spec cases. Accurate and consistent.


Is this a typo??

Doesnt the 223 use small rifle primers??

thanks

[hagar]

Avoid winchester small rifle primers at all cost in an AR15. There are numerous discussions going on about it on different chat boards on the internet about them causing slam fire and pierced primers with mild loads. I have personally seen a few myself on the highpower lines.

[Survey Punk]

On the other hand I use WSR primers all the time and have never had a problem nor have I heard of any "on the line".
Alot of bad talk in chat rooms though. :rolleyes:
LC cases, WSR, 25gr H335, and 52 or 53gr Sierra Matchkings. That's my shortline load. Should be fine with 55gr types

JB

[DYNOMIKE]

Originally posted by Survey Punk
On the other hand I use WSR primers all the time and have never had a problem nor have I heard of any "on the line".
Alot of bad talk in chat rooms though. :rolleyes:
LC cases, WSR, 25gr H335, and 52 or 53gr Sierra Matchkings. That's my shortline load. Should be fine with 55gr types

JB

JB~
My Load is Very close to that..
Mixed Military cases, 55 Gr Pills, and 24-25 Gr H335.. I have pretty much settled on 25 Gr.. Function is perfect, accuracy is quite good.. This powder also Flows & Meters excellent..
I too have used WSR Primers and never had any issues..
I mostly use Federal but only because I have Many more of them Than WIN..

Since you mention the Lighter Bullets could I ask What trist rate you use?
My Rifles are 1-9 and shoot the 55's real well and also the Heavier bullets like the 62's.. I want to try even heavier ones but to date have not done so.. I have the Bullets but just been using up the 55's..
BUT I have a Mess-o lighter Bullets and have not loaded them yet not knowing what to expect?
Thanx

[TerryN]

Dynomike - I used to shoot a good deal of Remington bulk 50 and 55 grain bullets through my 1-7" twist Colt, and got great results - sub-MOA groups at 100 yards with a scope. It's been a few years, but I was using WSR primers, LC brass, W748 (around 27-27.5 grains - check your manual).

I never shot them beyond 100 yards in that rifle, but they were great for plinking or paper punching. I tried that same load in a Remington bolt gun at 200 yards and got .750" groups, so it will definitely shoot!

[Survey Punk]

!:8 spacegun, 26" bbl. right at 3000fps with that load. Also does well in a 1:7 Colts and a 1:9 brand X upper I've got.
Another good one is same cases and primer with 25.5gr Win748 and the 69gr Sierra Matchking. Good 200yd offhand and sitting load.

JB

[DYNOMIKE]

I have had very good luck with W-748..
I wil try that Load in my CAR H-BAR, bet it works great..:beer:

[ftierson]

My advice is to buy a chronograph (today, they can cost less than a couple of boxes of ammo) and, for the 55gr bullet, work up a load that does about 3150 fps out of a 20inch barrel. That will give you something very close to the US M193 ammo, suitable for shooting in any climate...

You can safely work up loads that push 3250 fps (again, out of a 20 inch barrel), but you'll probably have to avoid using them when it gets really hot outside...

Regardless of what the manuals say, you'll always be working in the dark without a chronograph.

For example, I am currently using H335 powder purchased in 8lb kegs about 15 years ago. With this lot of powder, it takes about 26.0gr to reach the 3150 fps range out of 20inch AR barrels with normal M193 gas port pressures (using IMI 55gr M193 bullets).

I have a bunch of AA 2230-C (similar to AA 2460) that requires loads in the 26.0 to 26.5 range with the M193 bullet, but that requires slightly less powder with other flat based 55gr bullets. I also had a couple of kegs of AA 2230-C that only needed 24.5gr to get into the 3150 fps range. Loading two grains more would have pushed preassures well over the top...

Current lots of H335 are faster and require less powder than I just mentioned above.

Each lot of powder is slightly different, and powders also change somewhat over time.

The only way that you know what you're getting for sure is to run the bullets over a chronograph and measure their velocity...

I mention powder weight numbers above only for illustrating my points, and I do not mean them as any recommendations for others to use.

My point is, simply, to get a chronograph and know what you're doing...

:)

Forrest

[newfalguy101]

I was really hoping to see some loads using 748 as I really like it in my .308, and I have it on hand already :biggrin:

I might also look into the H335.

Thanks a bunch everybody

I will probably go with the least expensive primers I find, and as I looked around yesterday the prices seemed to be right around $19/1000.

A chronograph is without a doubt on my "to buy " list, in the future, one of these days.

Thanks again guys

[SteveW]

Is anyone using RL-15 in their 5.56x45 loads ?

I would also like to standardize on a 55 grain load, plus use the same powder for my 5.56 loads as my 7.62x51. That way I get the best 'bulk buy'..

S.

[DYNOMIKE]

I have an Ohler and it's a Killer Set-up..
I have Not chronoed this round/load in some time but I have before..
The H-335 I am using right now is older for sure..
Not 15 Y/O, but it may very well be 10?

newfalguy101~
Going after a Couple Loads using W-748 is NOT a Bad plan at all..
It is an excellent powder and will work well in both Cartridges..

[richbug]

Radway green brass, 55 grain Win FMJBT, CCI400, as much Varget as I can get in the case with out spilling it(26.0 or so). 1 moa or less out to 300.

[MAINER]

Win. cases------------also LC and TZ
Win small rifle primers
Milsurp 55 gr fmj
Win 748---------27.0grs
OAL...............2.260"
Crimp in cannulure with LEE Factory Crimp Die

For 62 gr fmj........26.0grs-----Win 748

MAX load in my rifles------Use with caution