Safe, Mild Load for 6 1/2 Primers in .223?

[doc540]

From what I've read, 6 1/2 primers are ok to use in mildly loaded AR .223's for range/plinking.

1. Using IMR 3031 with Varmint Nightmare 55 Grain soft points (all I could find available) what's a "MILD" powder load for IMR 3031?

2. Is there a safe Varget load to use with 55 grain VN's and Rem 6 1/2 primers? If so, what?

Just need mild, range/plinking loads to us in my AR

thnx

(searched and couldn't find specific data on 6 1/2 primers and IMR 3031 or Varget)

[Cdog]

It appears 3031 would be the better candidate. It produces good velocities at lower pressures than the Varget using an average 55 FMJ according to Hodgdon. Pressure wise I think the 6 1/2 should be fine at .223 levels.

In an AR the 6 1/2 primer may be more prone to a slam fire than the 7 1/2? Hard to compensate for that though.

[DWalt]

Is the concern slam fire? If so, then CCI #41 should be used. If you are talking about a non AR-type rifle, 6-1/2 with any load should be OK. I have no ARs, but I do have several bolt actions in .223. My best grouping loads are 21-22 grains of IMR 4198 and 50-55 grain bullets with anyone's (usually CCI) small rifle primers.

[doc540]

AR-15, SBR

[doc540]

From the IMR 30301 site:
55 GR. SPR SP IMR 3031 .224" 2.200" 21.6 2907
41,100 PSI 24.6C 3233 52,500 PSI

Can I safely load 55gr SP's with 20gr and use Rem 6.5 primers?

range/plinking

[tappedandtagged]

The IMR online data shiws they use a standard Winchester small rifle primer. Your use of the Rem 6-1/2 primers shouldn't be a concern. (As long as you don't get slam fires).

But, I would start at the published minimun of 21.6 and not reduce it to 20. Any of the listed start loads should be plenty mild. I would load several up, at 21.6, 21.8, 22.0, 22.2, 22.4 and 22.6. Load 5 or so of each up and shoot for groups. Then load whatever shot the best group! The best group will likely be found at less than max.

To check for the risk if slam fires, load several up at the minimum. Load them in a mag and shoot one, pull the one in the chamber. Do this with several and look at the primers. A small hardly distiguishable dimple is not an issue, but annoverly dimpled on is. If you have some factoy 223 (like the black box Federal AR stuff), do the same with them and compare the primer dimples. If yours are much worse, I would caution you to wait until you can find harder primers.

I did this and found my AR to shoot fantastic around 25 grains of H335 with the 55 Grn Hornday SP (which is likely the same bullet as the varmint nightmare). I also found that CCI 450's and Tula standard SRP's were good to go in MY AR. Note I did not check for your AR!

[doc540]

Thanks

makes good sense

[ArchAngelCD]

For those who are saying the Rem 6 1/2 primer should be fine in .223 ammo, you're giving bad advice. Remington themselves tells us not to use their 6 1/2 primers in .223 ammo.

Warning:
* Remington does not recommend this primer for use in the 17 Remington, 222 Remington, 223 Remington, 204 Ruger, 17 Remington Fireball. Use the 7-1/2 Small Rifle Bench Rest primer in these cartridges.

* This 6-1/2 Small Rifle primer is primarily designed for use in the 22 Hornet.

I'm guessing the OP knows the 6 1/2 primers are not a good for the 223 and that's why he's asking about light loads, to be safe.

I can't guess at what pressure those primers will fail so I won't suggest a load. IMO the CCI #41 or Remington 7 1/2 primers are your best choices followed by CCI 450 and CCI 400 primers.

[Cdog]

Yea, we all know about the warning. I would never intentionally give bad advice, but the OP asked about a mild load for just this reason. If he stays in low pressure range using a powder like 3031 as discussed, other than a slam fire, it should be safe.

I wouldn't go and load 1,000 of them before testing, nor would I load using them in any high pressure loadings, but I wouldn't be afraid to run a few of them through any of mine.

Point taken though, we should stay with published data.

[doc540]

If I could find the right .223 primers for less than $50/1000 I wouldn't be asking about the 6 1/2's.

thanks