.223 reload recipe

[fstdraw]

I'm in the process of reloading my first .223 ammo. With prices like they are, I'm going to take a crack at it. I'm using H335 and I'm doing some Barnes bullets, 62gr. TSX BT. 20" heavy barrel in my 1 in 9 twist AR 15.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[fstdraw]

I'm in the process of reloading my first .223 ammo. With prices like they are, I'm going to take a crack at it. I'm using H335 and I'm doing some Barnes bullets, 62gr. TSX BT. 20" heavy barrel in my 1 in 9 twist AR 15.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[David Sinko]

If this is your first load, I hope you are aware that the TSX tends to run the pressures a bit high. That's a great bullet for the .223 but not the one I'd choose when I'm first starting out. Why not start with something a bit more conventional with less room for error (and is cheaper)?

Dave Sinko

 

[n4zov]

H-335 is a great powder in the .223 and 7.62x39. Rather than suggest specific loads online, I'll point you to: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[fstdraw]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm instead going to start out with 55 gr. military ball. Lots of loads for these and I plunk with these and safe my expensive rounds for hunting and SHTF loads. Thanks again.

 

[David Sinko]

That's exactly what I did. The .223 is an easy cartridge to load and there should be no surprises in the AR-15 platform as long as you remember to full length resize and check the OAL of each and every case you load.

And you can rest assured that the 62 gr. XTS is probably the best bullet for this cartridge in terms of stopping power. I get excellent accuracy with this bullet and a heavy charge of BL-C(2). I loaded up a bunch of these and meant to try it on some deer last year but never did get a shot with it.

Dave Sinko

 

[pownal55]

that h335 is a good performer in small rifle cases, i use it too, but man is it dirty.

 

[johnluke]

26gr. of Win 748 with a Sierra 52 or 53 gr match bullet or the 55gr bullet has been an accurate load in any AR15 I have ever tried it in.
John

 

[fstdraw]

I've read on various forums about the difficulty in loading the .223 for the AR platform. So far, I've found it time consuming, but no suprises. Trimming a thousand cases one at a time is no fun, but it needs to be done. I'm trimming all cases to 1.750, + or - .001. I'm glad to hear about H335 being a good powder for this round. If it burns dirty, I'll try the Win. 748 or the BL-C(2). Thanks for the insight.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have a DPMS AR with a 1 in 9" 20" barrel. It has an "A2" stock on it because I hate those fold up jobs.

When I shoot target with it I use 69gr Sierra HPBT and the maximum load of Varget. This load gives me a one hole group @ 100yrds.

For "spray and pray" loads I use the maximum charge of BL-C(2) under any 55gr FMJ bullet I can get cheap. Still, it is a sub MOA round from my gun!

The reason I went to BL-C(2) is because the Varget fills the case so full that some would "slosh" out when I loaded on my XL650. The BL-C(2) is a ball powder and has less case fill than the Varget.

Either way, they are great rounds.

I don't like messing with the primer pockets but all of my cases have crimped ones. I have the Dillon tool for taking care of that. Works great.

I have had a ton of stuck cases too. If I use Imperial Sizing Wax or a pad with RCBS II, and I don't get too stingy with it, that problem goes away, which is a good thing!

 

[fstdraw]

smith crazy, Thanks for the heads-up on the Dillon tool for primer pockets. BTW, how do you guys deal with cases that are way short of the "trim to" size? I get cases that are .0005 to .0010 under the 2.750 trim to length. Toss 'em? Or do I even them up at say 2.740 and use them? It seems to be just one brand of brass I've got troubles with ".F C." in .223 REM. Thank you

 

[BruceM]

If your cases are a little short after sizing, they're still good to go but I would use a case gage to check them. It may be possible that the shoulders are being set back just a smidge during full length resizing.

B.

 

[pbslinger]

johnluke has it right. 26 grains of W 748 with a 52-55 grain bullet.

 

[fstdraw]

Thank you guys, after I'm out of H335, I'll try the W748.