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Old June 4, 2012, 09:20 AM   #1
mohr308
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Already loaded….

I have recently picked up an RCBS t/c die set for the .223/5.56. I went through and loaded about 50rds so far using PMC military 5.56 brass. I loaded this brass using the 60gr Hornady V-Max bullet (.223) and 25gr of Varget, what i didn't take into consideration was that I'm loading a .223 bullet with .223 load data into the 5.56 brass. Any input on what might go wrong would be nice.

When I talked to the loading guy at the cabelas store, he suggested that I use this Die set because of the Taper Crimp and that it sized a little smaller than a regular .223 die. I was under the assumption I could load either brass with the .223 bullets. I guess I should have asked first!
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Old June 4, 2012, 10:31 AM   #2
603Country
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Other more knowledgable folk will give you more data, but the short answer is that the bullet you bought will work fine in either 223 or 5.56. The differences between the 223 and the 5.56 Nato are not a bullet issue, and cases marked 223 or 5.56 will work fine in your rifle IF YOU ARE RELOADING. If you are shooting factory ammo, don't shoot 5.56 Nato in a marked 223 chambered barrel.
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Old June 4, 2012, 11:03 AM   #3
Adamantium
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.223 Remington and 5.56mm brass are interchangeable for reloading purposes. The difference between the two kinds of brass amount to what the headstamp says.

There are difference between factory 5.56mm cartridges and 223, differences between the chambers in the guns themselves and also some 5.56mm reloading data that isn't recommended for all 223 guns, but the brass is interchangeable.

You are good to go in other words.
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Old June 4, 2012, 11:15 AM   #4
mrawesome22
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60 grain V-Max is .224" diameter.

A taper crimp die has nothing to do with sizing the brass.

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Old June 4, 2012, 12:44 PM   #5
mohr308
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mrA

I understand the T/C die is only for the crimp in the cannelure, but the 60gr v-max does not have one. I was just trying to understand if using that die will make the cases compatible for both types of chambers. I have read other people loading that same bullet and using them in AR's, I'm just looking for other input from multiple sources.
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Old June 4, 2012, 01:12 PM   #6
243winxb
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Your loading should be fine. Hodgdon lists it as the starting load with that bullet. When crimping, dont over do it, or you may get a bulge in the neck or shoulder. The taper crimp is more forgiving, if over done. A roll crimp is not. The dies work with 223 & 5.56
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Old June 4, 2012, 01:37 PM   #7
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Normally a taper crimp is used on a non-cannalure bullet and a roll crimp is used on bullets with a cannalure or crimp groove. At least that's what I do...
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Old June 5, 2012, 06:32 AM   #8
mohr308
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thanks for the input
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Old June 5, 2012, 12:40 PM   #9
mohr308
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I took those rounds out this morning for a test run, the shoot more accurate than the factory PMC X-Tac 62gr that I normally use. Next I'm trying different powder and some higher loads.
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Old June 5, 2012, 03:45 PM   #10
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What twist is your barrel? And second why don't you find the best charge first with that powder? I'm sure it would be awesome before jumping so quick and just hopeing you find a pet load out of pure luck.
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Old June 6, 2012, 01:01 AM   #11
mohr308
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The barrel is a 1:9 twist. Im going to load another set using the same powder (Varget) with a higher charge, but Im also going to start a load up with IMR4064. I would like to work up with both powders and see which I like best. The way I see it is, if the IMR4064 gives me just as good results, it will be more cost efficient to shoot with.
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Old June 6, 2012, 09:50 PM   #12
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I like 4064 in several rifles, and Varget worked pretty good in my 223 with the 1 in 9 twist. The best shooting with my rifle is with AA2230, so you may want to try that one.
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Old June 6, 2012, 11:52 PM   #13
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Twist has no relation to powder. The faster the twist, the heavy the bullet that will be stabilised. This true with all powders

55-65 would work in all twists;
1:9" twist is a versatile medium twist
>75 gr you will want 1:7" or 1:8'
Sierra says: "the 80grain HPBT ... bullet requires the use of a 1x7” or 1x8” twist Ilor proper stability."

The drawback is very light bullets do not like to be spun that fast and can act weird. I shot a 40 gr bullet perfect sideways keyhole at 50 yards, low and to one side, last trip. I would not have believed it if I hadn't done it myself.

Therefore, the rapid twists seem to me to be a specialty niche for long-range=heavy-bullet shooters. While I have found my 1:9 Savage bolt gun to shoot all bullets 50 to 70 grain (so far). It was a 40 gr bullet that key-holed; may have been too fast too. And I will try 75 gr Hornady's next.
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