Can I load 5.56 brass with .223 bullets:

[model70hunter]

Yes the bullets are the same diameter and will work with both. Growing up I had a need for speed, hot rods and reloading. I had reloaded for many years before I learned rifling twist was important too.

I did 264 mag, 270 WBY, 7 REM MAG, 300 WIN and WBY. I had the hots for and found a beautiful MK V WBY in 257 WBY. All the previous guns had the correct rifling for the basic hunting bullets used. I did not have issues.

The 257 WBY, an early German one, used a round nose 117 grain bullet. I wanted to use 120 Grain spritzers. That gun with slower twist schooled me. The rifling did not stabilize long bullets. I now look at rifling twist on all reloading.

What you are now doing is loading for a gun with 5.56 on the bbl. The 5.56 usually has a faster twist, 1x7, to stabilize longer and heavier bullets.

Plinking may be ok with lighter 223 bullets but the 5.56 normally uses heavier bullets. You need to look at your guns factory specs and see if it is 1x7 or better yet it is a 1x9. Some of the early AR's had even faster rifling to stabilize the 52-55 grain bullets.

Figure out your twist and shoot for accuracy. I do shoot lots of mil spec 55 grain 5.56 in my AR target-match Colt, they work well for plinking, I'm not sure I would be happy shooting for groups at 100-200 yards.

One might google loading your bullet weight in the 5.56. for some answers.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Oh...........

Only NIVE (9) types of dies to choose from.........

I thought there was a problem, here ?? !!

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for all of your comments. I have been reloading brass stamped .223 for a while on a Lee Single Stage press with no problems. I have both the Lee and Lyman books and have read them several times. I just didn't know if it was a good idea to use the 5.56 brass. Juding from all your comments I guess I am good to go. Again thanks for all of your help. BTW, again, the bullets are Xtreme FMJ .223's (.224 dia).
George

As Mack stated you 5.56. brass will most probably have crimped in primers. After you size and remove the primer you will need to ream or swag out that crimp, or you will not be able to prime them correctly.

Many ways to do that. cheap and easy or expensive and easy either way it's a PITA to me! I like a reamer tool in a drill.

If you found this brass at the range be sure it is brass and not coated steel, also check it very well as most folks do not leave in laying around these days. It too expensive.

 

[gregintenn]

Also, you need different sets of dies for .223REM if you're planning on using them in a semi-auto, or a bolt-action.

If it's a semi-auto, pump, or lever-action, use RCBS AR-type small base dies (black box). The AR-series - I'm told - is going to gradually phase-out the old "standard" small-base dies.

If it's a bolt-action, use RCBS full-length dies (green box).

I've been doing it wrong then. I use standard 223 Lee dies. My ammo is flawless in 3 ars, a mini 14, and an H&R Handi Rifle. I do not have a pump or lever action 223 to try it in.

 

[NAM68]

Reloading Question

I discovered last night when reloading 45 ACP that I flarred the cases way too much and they would'nt fit in the barel too fat/wide. My question is since these cases are sweeled so much can I still reuse them.Thanks for your answers.

 

[David R]

Just run them in a crimp die . Only enough to straighten the case.