.223 loads

[Dmaxboy08]

I have been reloading handgun ammo for a few months now and im getting ready to start on .223. I have the dies and about 500 remington brass. I do not have anything else. I will be shooting these in a kel-tec su-16. What are the best loads you guys have been useing? Also, I heard that if you shoot .223 in a AR you should use CCI nato primers?

[tappedandtagged]

I use Tula small rifle primers in my AR with a 55 grain Hornady SP pushed by 25.0 grains of H335. Work up to this load! I found it to shoot just above 1/2 MOA in my Stag Mdl 3.

The reason people say to use a Nato CCI primer in an AR is due to the floatig firing pin. In theory, if the pin were to slam into a soft primer cup when the bolt slammed close, the round could go off (thus the term slam fire). I think it is an extra precauction that borderlines overkill.

[MichiganScott]

Originally Posted by tappedandtagged

The reason people say to use a Nato CCI primer in an AR is due to the floatig firing pin. In theory, if the pin were to slam into a soft primer cup when the bolt slammed close, the round could go off (thus the term slam fire). I think it is an extra precauction that borderlines overkill.

I've never used a NATO primer and never had a slam fire with my preferred CCI-450 through four separate AR's and ten's of thousands of rounds in practice and competition.

I use 25gr H335 and Sierra 52gr. MK for my everyday use. Buying the components in bulk drops the per round cost of match grade ammo to below that of bulk XM193.

[fredj338]

Hit the reloading manuals, lots of good powder choices. The 55gr bullets are cheapest bought in bulk. Any powder from H322 to as slow as VV150 will work to some degree. Primers? Anything but the soft Federal & you should be fine w/ then properly seated.

[mikld]

Be careful about "what people say" or "I read somewhere". If you use load data from a manual and stick to those, you won't have any problems. Stick with published load data until you have this reloading thing down pat, then you can experiment, using common sense of course...

[358156hp]

Originally Posted by mikld

Be careful about "what people say" or "I read somewhere". If you use load data from a manual and stick to those, you won't have any problems. Stick with published load data until you have this reloading thing down pat, then you can experiment, using common sense of course...

Seriously, get your loading data from a source that has pressure tested and confirmed the results. The powder companies and bullet companies want you to be happy with their products, and safe while using them. They rely on repeat business, and spend a lot of money trying to make their customers happy. Compare this to "some guy on the internet", and his interest in your continued patronage. This is one reason that I am loathe to give out loading data to anyone. Really, it's not because I'm some sort of jerk...

[ArchAngelCD]

This is what I use and I'm not claiming they are the best loads, just the best for me.
Always double check load data you get on the Internet.
Mistakes can and will happen when writing anything. (and sometimes they aren't mistakes)

For use in a semi-auto:
Any .223/5.56mm brass
55gr M193 pulled bullets
25.0gr H335
CCI #41 NATO primers

For use in my bolt action rifle:
Commercial Brass (not military)
55gr Sierra GameKing bullet #1390
25.0gr Varget
CCI400 primer (Winchester WSR when CCI400 are unavailable)
This load produces sub 1/2MOA groups in my rifle.

[Twoboxer]

Normally wouldn't suggest a load for the reasons given above, but since one has been given, let me show you why.

In my RRA LAR-15, 16" barrel, 1-9 twist, using Hornady 55gr BTHP w/c bullets . . . groups begin to open up after 24.7gr of H335. And they didn't close back down at 25.3gr. The most accurate load for me, for this rifle, is 24.1gr of H335. Pretty much the same results using recycled Federal and PMC brass when using the same trimmed brass length.

Point is *you* must find the right load for your rifle, starting on the low side and testing both safety and accuracy on the way up the ladder.

[olskool]

h335 or h4895 has always been the top powders for me. i have had slam fires in my garand without Nato primers.

[Coaltminer]

Been using 24.0 grs. IMR 4895 with anybodies 55 gr. bullet, all kinds of military or commercial brass and WW primers. It's a low end load. In bolt action Rem. 700 with 50 gr. Hornady VMax, it's 3/8" groups at 100 yds. with standard barrel and 3-9 scope. Quite satisfactory. Enjoy loading for your rifle.

[Ivan the Butcher]

Years ago I loaded around 20,000 rounds of 223 on my Dillion 450. The Military had gone to the "New" steel core bullet and Winchester 55 grain FMJ's were about a penny or a penny and a half each. I used WW748 powder and a civilian CCI primer and mixed mil brass. Out of my old Mini-14 they shot as good as any other 223 (poorly). Out of a friends Cooper 21 and my Bushmaster AR they shoot great (1/4" in the Cooper, 1/2" in the Bushmaster, both at 100 yards) These rounds were in ammo cans, in the barn for the last 25 years, I had about 5 or 6 thousand left and gave a can of them to one of my sons who bought one of those left handed AR's. They still shoot great, so you might look into those componets. Whatever Winchester said was the load data. Hornady 55 gr soft points did well over the same power/primer combo too. Ivan