.223/5.56 die startup

805moparkid

805moparkid

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ok first off i'll say im not looking for the specs on powder and etc on the two, i know that been pounded into the ground,buried, and then dug up again.

but anyways!

i just picked up a blue press with quick change tool heads and have a question. plan on reloading both .223 and 5.56, so, with the longer leade on the 5.56, can i get away with buying two .223 dies and adjust one for 5.56 or will the crimp be screwed up? or do i need special 5.56 dies?

Any info would be great! thanks...
 
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This has been recently covered too. The two cartridge dimensions are identical.

The differences are only in the chambers they're shot in.
 
Cdog said:
This has been recently covered too. The two cartridge dimensions are identical.

The differences are only in the chambers they're shot in.
Click to expand...

do you have a link to that thread?

i thought the case OAL was the same but the OAL with bullet was .010 or so longer? is have both chambers so this is why im looking to do both (will only be running the 5.56 in my heavy bulleted long range stuff.
 
Load them the same. The leade of basically freebore to reduce pressure. The 5.56 is a more forgiving chamber.

The magazine will limit the oal length before most chambers will
 
Cdog said:
Load them the same. The leade of basically freebore to reduce pressure. The 5.56 is a more forgiving chamber.

The magazine will limit the oal length before most chambers will
Click to expand...

hmm... ok... im confused now...

case length between .223 and 5.56 is the same (OAL)

case length with bullet between .223 and 5.56 is the same (OAL)

so is the only difference between .223 and 5.56 is gr powder load? sorry im having such a wrapping my head around this..
 
ok found this
With all other things being equal, the 5.56mm NATO chamber with its longer and shallower angled leade and longer amount of effective freebore will produce less chamber pressure than a .223 Remington chamber, when firing .223 Remington SAAMI Spec ammunition. Because of this, 5.56mm NATO amunition can be loaded to a pressure that would be considered excessive in a .223 Remington chamber, yet acceptable in a 5.56mm NATO chamber. (Pressures are measured using different methods between the two systems.)

so because of the chamber design, the chamber dosn't make high pressure, the ability to use more powder makes for better pressure? i guess thats why it would make sense that 5.56 would be more accurate due to better velocity. think im getting it now.

so i only need one die for 5.56 and .223 because the OAL is no different...
 
805moparkid said:
ok found this
With all other things being equal, the 5.56mm NATO chamber with its longer and shallower angled leade and longer amount of effective freebore will produce less chamber pressure than a .223 Remington chamber, when firing .223 Remington SAAMI Spec ammunition. Because of this, 5.56mm NATO amunition can be loaded to a pressure that would be considered excessive in a .223 Remington chamber, yet acceptable in a 5.56mm NATO chamber. (Pressures are measured using different methods between the two systems.)

so because of the chamber design, the chamber dosn't make high pressure, the ability to use more powder makes for better pressure? i guess thats why it would make sense that 5.56 would be more accurate due to better velocity. think im getting it now.

so i only need one die for 5.56 and .223 because the OAL is no different...
Click to expand...

Yea, the two cartridges share the same dimensions. The more forgiving chamber size of the 5.56 doesn't require any special attention.

The oal may come into play between the two rounds if you're trying to load match rounds that will likely require one at a time feeding for the individual rifles.

My advice, get your manuals and load them as close to book spec as possible. You may have to adjust a bit to assure reliable feed from some mags.

Case length is important. My initial prep contains much case prep. I start by uniforming my case length and flash holes.

Questions are great, ask away. I can't stress enough the importance of actually understanding the why's and how's of handloading.

Post up your initial results. CD
 
Cdog said:
Yea, the two cartridges share the same dimensions. The more forgiving chamber size of the 5.56 doesn't require any special attention.

The oal may come into play between the two rounds if you're trying to load match rounds that will likely require one at a time feeding for the individual rifles.

My advice, get your manuals and load them as close to book spec as possible. You may have to adjust a bit to assure reliable feed from some mags.

Case length is important. My initial prep contains much case prep. I start by uniforming my case length and flash holes.

Questions are great, ask away. I can't stress enough the importance of actually understanding the why's and how's of handloading.

Post up your initial results. CD
Click to expand...

ok cool! i will. starting with .223 55gr but will move up to 62gr and 69 gr 5.56 later. but have to be able to do all three lol.

Currently have CFE223 and Pro Varmint powders to try.
 
Remember this about bullet size in this caliber. the 55grain bullet and smaller were designed to be used in a barrel that has a 1:12 twist. The 62 grain bullet was designed to be used in barrel that has a 1:7 twist. You can normaly use the heavier bullets in barrels that have the 1:9 twist and still hold accuracy to accpetable levels. Deciding which bullets to load is going to be a matter of determining what barrel you are firing out of.
 
JenniferG said:
Remember this about bullet size in this caliber. the 55grain bullet and smaller were designed to be used in a barrel that has a 1:12 twist. The 62 grain bullet was designed to be used in barrel that has a 1:7 twist. You can normaly use the heavier bullets in barrels that have the 1:9 twist and still hold accuracy to accpetable levels. Deciding which bullets to load is going to be a matter of determining what barrel you are firing out of.
Click to expand...

yep... 20" bull with 1/9. that part and deciding which bullets i was going to use was the easy part lol
 
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