New caliber......I LIKE IT......

[rwsmith]

I don't have a .223/5.56 right now but some of my son's friends do and I wanted to contribute something to the pot when we go shooting so I got set up to turn out .223 (since that can fire in both)

I know I've complained about Lee Dies but now I know how to use them and got a two die set, some cases, some bullets and small rifle primers. They were easy to size and the cost of the bullets (the big money hole) were only .14 each (Dogtown Midway)

I was amazed at how easy it was to turn out a lot of rounds and the finished product looks great!

 

[muddocktor]

For even cheaper bullets that can be used for hunting, look at the bulk Hornady 55 grain SP bullets. Nice lead tip for good expansion, typical good Hornady quality and cheaper than the DogTown bullets. Not that there is anything wrong with those either. BTW, the Midsouth Varmint Nightmare Extreme bullets are the exact same bullets made for them by Nosler (who makes the DT bullets for midway) and they are generally a little cheaper than the DT bullets.

Here's a couple of links for you:

Hornady 55 grain spire point
Midsouth also has the Hornady bullets.

Midsouth Varmint Nightmare bullets

 

[Pisgah]

One thing that always gets obscured in the .223/5.56 discussion is that the external dimensions of the two cases are identical; hence, .223 dies ARE 5.56 dies, and vice versa. The difference between the two chamberings is in the chamber dimensions and not the cartridge dimensions

Glad you're enjoying reloading for the new cartridge! I have always liked Lee dies.

 

[Carrier]

I don't have a .223/5.56 right now but some of my son's friends do and I wanted to contribute something to the pot when we go shooting so I got set up to turn out .223 (since that can fire in both)

I know I've complained about Lee Dies but now I know how to use them and got a two die set, some cases, some bullets and small rifle primers. They were easy to size and the cost of the bullets (the big money hole) were only .14 each (Dogtown Midway)

I was amazed at how easy it was to turn out a lot of rounds and the finished product looks great!

I'm looking at starting loading 223. What case lube you using and press?

 

[Doug M.]

And the chamber dimensions matter in terms of pressure. True 5.56X45 chambers allow for the higher pressure military ammo, or other ammo loaded specifically for that chamber. As an example, IIRC, the two versions of one popular duty load differ in performance by a significant amount. Loading 5.56 spec ammo and shooting it in a .223 chamber is sometimes unwise. For good measure, one cannot trust the chamber markings/claims of most AR makers; they can be marked 5.56 but not really cut to that size. The quality makers also properly stake the carrier key, use individually (not batch) tested bolts, etc. Thids is not a small problem. A friend's agency went full stupid when it bought ARs. The idiot responsible for the order did not know what he did not know, did not consult the armorers, bought a popular but sub-standard rifle, and I know of at least one that broke a bolt in approximately 20 rounds. They also revoked permission for personal rifles, and prohibited (this may have been fixed) lights and optics. Of course, no one was disciplined.

I saw some pretty scary stuff at a Dean Caputo class when a Ned Christiansen chamber reamer was used (and likewise the MOACKS). There are maybe 4 or 5 AR makers I would trust for that. If using bolt guns, you should assume .223 chambers. If you go to the tools link at Michiguns.com, you can get some additional info when looking at the .223/5.56? gage link, and the link for the chamber reamer.

 

[rwsmith]

Imperial sizing wax....

I'm looking at starting loading 223. What case lube you using and press?

And a Rockchucker single stage. I like any cartridge that I can sit down instead of having to put my weight on the press to resize.

I'm nuts about the Imperial Wax, too. Some say it gummed up their dies, but you only need a smidge where you can't even see it on the case. I use a lot, to where the case just looks a tad hazy. Any more than that it way too much.

 

[Wise_A]

I was thinking of slightly sullying myself by getting into rifle cartridges (using single-shot handguns, to preserve my gentlemanly reputation). .223 fit the bill for affordable, as I can't stomach the prices of some quality .30-caliber jacketed.

I'm also looking into .357 Remington Maximum, depending on what I can find decent bullets for. I can stomach the price of a custom or rechambered barrel, but not .30-caliber ammunition prices

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have not loaded the dog bullet but do have some Hornady 55 sp #2265 that I shot in my 22-250.
They are pretty accurate but I have six other bullets that get tighter groups,
so I use the last box of them for my chrony work.
The 55 V-max,55 Nosler poly VarMag, and speer 55 sp can also be
low in price if you catch a sale.
In some stores you can get a good buy with the "Bagged" Remington or Winchester FMJ bullet.

Have fun with the 22's.

 

[hdwhit]

rwsmith wrote:
...cost of the bullets (the big money hole) were only .14 each (Dogtown Midway)

Also be aware of these sellers:

American Reloading

Everglades Ammunition and Reloading

Bullet Reloading Supplies | Rocky Mountain Reloading

Range Brass

LEO Brass

http://www.diamondkbrass.com/

There are many others, but I have dealt with all of these at one time or another and had no significant problem with any of them.

 

[hdwhit]

Carrier wrote:
I'm looking at starting loading 223. What case lube you using and press?

Hornady Unique.

RCBS Reloader Special.

I have also used the Lee "toothpaste tube" lubricant. Hornady Unique says on the tub to apply it with the fingers and a little goes a long way. Both are correct. I have used it to resize approximately 2,000 cases and you can barely tell any of it has been used.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I use the old stuff.

Lube pad and RCBS gel, for all my brass, that needs lubed.
A little extra in a corner and a Q-tip is useful for getting inside of the case necks, if needed before resizing.

I do not have a Carbide die for my old rifle dies........
but I do have them for pistol.

 

[Westie1]

I was thinking of slightly sullying myself by getting into rifle cartridges (using single-shot handguns, to preserve my gentlemanly reputation). .223 fit the bill for affordable, as I can't stomach the prices of some quality .30-caliber jacketed.

I'm also looking into .357 Remington Maximum, depending on what I can find decent bullets for. I can stomach the price of a custom or rechambered barrel, but not .30-caliber ammunition prices

Love the 223 in my Contender. In between a pistol and a rifle, the 14" barrel allows it to shoot like a rifle, but is packable in a shoulder holster. As to the 357Max, great round but was killed by people who wanted to shoot light and fast. My Speer #11 lists 3 starting loads with a 110 gr HP the give 2100fps+ with a 14" barrel. No wonder Ruger and DW had problems with flame cutting the top strap. Still have 1 box of the old Remington factory load with the 158gr HP. Worst decision ever made. Bullet leads like crazy in my Super 14. Using 180's and 200's is where it shines.

 

[rwsmith]

You sound like you need......

I was thinking of slightly sullying myself by getting into rifle cartridges (using single-shot handguns, to preserve my gentlemanly reputation). .223 fit the bill for affordable, as I can't stomach the prices of some quality .30-caliber jacketed.

I'm also looking into .357 Remington Maximum, depending on what I can find decent bullets for. I can stomach the price of a custom or rechambered barrel, but not .30-caliber ammunition prices

A Thompson/Center Encore. Changeable barrels/chambers that are a real blast to shoot. They have a wide variety of calibers, including the two you mention.

You also need to look into coated bullets. They are not nearly as expensive as jacketed and can be pushed to the same velocities.

 

[Carrier]

Hornady Unique.

RCBS Reloader Special.

I have also used the Lee "toothpaste tube" lubricant. Hornady Unique says on the tub to apply it with the fingers and a little goes a long way. Both are correct. I have used it to resize approximately 2,000 cases and you can barely tell any of it has been used.

I sometimes give my handgun cases a shot of Hornady One Shot spray which smooths things out especially with 357 or 44 magnum cases.
I've read lots of pro and lots of cons about it. Just wondering if anyone uses it for 223 on a LNL and how it is working?