Reloading 5.56

[Shooting Padre]

I just purchased a AR 15 in 5.56 and will eventually reload for this gun. I'd appreciate some of the members reloading information on this caliber. I have a Lee 4 turret press and have been reloading for around five years. Advice on dies, powder and bullet type are appreciated. I mainly reload for recreation shooting, commonly called plinking. Looking for average loads, nothing really hot. I just put my first four rounds out of the new gun, 55gr FMJ. Looking forward to everyone's ideas.

 

[Bat Guano]

Opinions abound. I have loaded for .223, .308, and .30-06 in gas guns. Being old school, I stick with a C press. Swage primer pockets as needed, size/trim (Dillon trimmer), gauge cases, prime on a C press, charge cases in a block and eyeball all charges, seat with the C press, and drop all loaded rounds in the case gauge again. Obviously I am not in a hurry, and I get good results.

The winters are long anyway and my goal is quality, not speed. Works for me.

 

[tappedandtagged]

I use 25 grains of H335 and the Hornady 55 grain SP. I bought 2k bullets, 8# powder and 2K Tula primers from Graf's for just under $400. Turned out to be less than 0.19 a round. Already loaded 1,400 up with my Lee breech lock single stage press and Lee .223 dies. Here is a link to my range report.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/272536-ar-15-hornady-55-grn-sp-range-report.html

 

[jepp2]

Advice on dies, powder and bullet type are appreciated.

If you are willing to buy in case quantities, you can get 55 gr. FMJBT for around $0.085 each delivered to your door from Montana Gold or Wideners.

I prefer Redding dies over Lyman or RCBS, but any of those 3 will be fine. What is most important is that you measure and set your die properly for the correct amount of shoulder setback. Don't follow the standard advice of "give it 1/4 to 1/2 turn after it contacts the shell holder". You will want to set the shoulder back 0.003" for brass fired in your rifle. You do need to full length size for reliable chambering, proper neck tension and reduce the low chance of a slam fire. Seat your primers to the correct depth and don't leave any high.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a CCI #41 NATO primer and H335 for AR ammo. I agree Widener's has very good buys on bulk .224" bullets for the 5.56mm.
Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC

 

[SAColt]

I load several different loads for the 223 for several different guns, but my favorite out of my DPMS shorty is 26.5 grains of Reloader 15 behind a 55gr. Hornady V-Max. Winchester primers.

 

[armadillo]

I prefer small base dies for the 5.56/223. I use both H335 and surplus 844 powders. Magnum primers are a must with the 844 and preferred with the H335 or other ball powder. I have also gotten good results with Benchmark powder.

I use 844 powder in my bolt action rifles because it gives the best groups.

 

[fredj338]

Hit the reloading manual, lots of good powders for 55gr FMJ. I like AA2520, but many like Varget, TAC, CFE, H335, etc. I run mine on a 550B, so like spherical powders. I use the RCBS X-dies, limits case trimming to a one time event. Get a case gage, helps a lot in setting up your dies for proper round fit.