Are there standard .223 loads?

BumbleBug · March 26, 2013, 10:09 AM

I don't have an AR but I have a Ruger#3 .223 that I love to shoot & of course I have a super-duper meticulously developed handload for it. I have a couple of buddies that are caught up in the AR/ammo buying frenzy that are now crying how they can't get ammo in any quantities & are reluctant to shoot their new black guns with their new 30rd-mags!

I am very careful to stay clear of offering to load them any ammo, but I suggest to them that they consider handloading. I feel like this is a great hedge against an unsure future for ammo needs. Of course, for now at least, these guys are more interested in shooting than getting into the nuances of fine-tuning rifle & ammo.

None have bought the equipment yet, but it got me to thinking, when they do, the next question to me is what is a good load? Duh...

So here is my question. Are there some standard loads for .223 that safely duplicate the military or commercial loads?

TIA...

Brian Pfleuger · March 26, 2013, 10:25 AM

Load manuals are full of "standard" loads, any number of which can meet or exceed factory or military ammo specifications.

Boomer58cal · March 26, 2013, 11:21 AM

The Hornedy 9th manual has "service rifle", 5.56 nato and standard .223 remi data. It's a good place to start. I would recommend Nosler, Sierra and spear as well. You can't have to many manuals to compare. I like IMR 4895 but there are about a dozen powders that work great in .223 depending on bullet weight.

Boomer

NWPilgrim · March 26, 2013, 12:11 PM

I have had very good results with H335 in general and 68-69 BTHP bullets in particular. A friend has great results with several bullets and IMR8208XBR. BLC2 is also a good powder for bullets 55 gr - 75 gr.

I second the recommendation for the Hornady 9th edition with the three sections for .223: .223, .223 Service Rifle, and 5.56x45 NATO.

BumbleBug · March 26, 2013, 12:53 PM

Thanks everybody for the good feedback. I definitely need to upgrade my manual collection. They are pretty out of date but still very useful. I'll definitely check out the Hornady book as suggested.

I guess I'm a "handloading snob" having a number of rifles (i.e. barrels) that have never had a factory load in them. I'm so use to starting with a minimum load & working up & following my set procedure for load development. The idea of a "Standard Load" seems strange to me. I have noticed that some of the newer commercial match ammo actually has the load data printed on the box! In particular the 6.5 Creedmore. Interesting...

Besides, if one of my buddy's buys a nice progressive loader & if things by miracle go back to normal, I may be able to buy their loader (covered with dust & spider webs) at a reasonable price! ....Yeah, I know that's cold!!! LOL

March 26, 2013, 10:09 AM	#1
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	Are there standard .223 loads? I don't have an AR but I have a Ruger#3 .223 that I love to shoot & of course I have a super-duper meticulously developed handload for it. I have a couple of buddies that are caught up in the AR/ammo buying frenzy that are now crying how they can't get ammo in any quantities & are reluctant to shoot their new black guns with their new 30rd-mags! I am *very careful to stay clear* of offering to load them any ammo, but I suggest to them that they consider handloading. I feel like this is a great hedge against an unsure future for ammo needs. Of course, for now at least, these guys are more interested in shooting than getting into the nuances of fine-tuning rifle & ammo. None have bought the equipment yet, but it got me to thinking, when they do, the next question to me is what is a good load? Duh... So here is my question. Are there some standard loads for .223 that safely duplicate the military or commercial loads? TIA...

March 26, 2013, 10:25 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Load manuals are full of "standard" loads, any number of which can meet or exceed factory or military ammo specifications. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 26, 2013, 12:11 PM	#4
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I have had very good results with H335 in general and 68-69 BTHP bullets in particular. A friend has great results with several bullets and IMR8208XBR. BLC2 is also a good powder for bullets 55 gr - 75 gr. I second the recommendation for the Hornady 9th edition with the three sections for .223: .223, .223 Service Rifle, and 5.56x45 NATO. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

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March 26, 2013, 11:21 AM	#3
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	The Hornedy 9th manual has "service rifle", 5.56 nato and standard .223 remi data. It's a good place to start. I would recommend Nosler, Sierra and spear as well. You can't have to many manuals to compare. I like IMR 4895 but there are about a dozen powders that work great in .223 depending on bullet weight. Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

March 26, 2013, 12:53 PM	#5
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	Thanks everybody for the good feedback. I definitely need to upgrade my manual collection. They are pretty out of date but still very useful. I'll definitely check out the Hornady book as suggested. I guess I'm a "handloading snob" having a number of rifles (i.e. barrels) that have never had a factory load in them. I'm so use to starting with a minimum load & working up & following my set procedure for load development. The idea of a "Standard Load" seems strange to me. I have noticed that some of the newer commercial match ammo actually has the load data printed on the box! In particular the 6.5 Creedmore. Interesting... Besides, if one of my buddy's buys a nice progressive loader & if things by miracle go back to normal, I may be able to buy their loader (covered with dust & spider webs) at a reasonable price! ....Yeah, I know that's cold!!! LOL