223 C.O.A.L 55 gr question

EmptyHull · April 24, 2012, 10:09 PM

Started loading the .223 with 25grs H335, CCI 400 and Sierra 55gr SBT bullets #1365. I am looking for a recipe using the Winchester 55gr FMJ. My book doesn't have one. This is for the 16" Bushmaster AR15. Thanks, Tim.

golfnutrlv · April 24, 2012, 10:47 PM

I have had the best results with a COAL of 2.24 in my AR for 55 gr bullets.

I load the heavier 69 Gr matchkings to 2.257, which is just under max length.

Honestly, though, the winchester's should be fine loaded with data for a standard 55 gr FMJ. Bear in mind though, that the Winchester 55gr FMJ bullets I have used are shorter when compared to a Hornady 55gr FMJ. Set your die appropriately, and shoudn't be a worry.

Jim243 · April 25, 2012, 12:29 AM

Most OAL for 55 gr bullets are 2.20 since you are using a under max load of powder that will not be a problem.

Jim

EmptyHull · April 25, 2012, 04:52 AM

So I can keep the same charge and measure the length of the bullets and adjust the OAL accordingly? For my 45acp, I shoot cast but use data for all 230gr cast bullets and do not worry about different manufacturers. Thanks,Tim

rg1 · April 25, 2012, 08:23 AM

Same load for the Sierra 55 grain bullets will work with your Winchester 55 fmj's. Might drop back to 24.5 and work up looking for what your rifle likes best. The Win 55 fmj's I've loaded have a long sharply pointed tip and overall length is best at 2.250". Win 55 fmj's are not the most consistent or most accurate but ok for plinking and blasting. Most recommend CCI 450 or CCI 41's for AR's but others use the CCI 400 and have no issues. The tip shape of the Win 55 fmj's may vary a few thousandths and I'd seat them to where the longest would be 2.250" with some ending up slightly less.

EmptyHull · April 25, 2012, 10:01 AM

That's what I was looking for. I will drop down and work up from there. So far the CCI400's are working fine.

EmptyHull · April 25, 2012, 09:16 PM

Bought the Winchester 55gr FMJ's tonight. Measured about .015" longer than the Speers SBT that i was using. Cabelas also had a sale on the CCI 400's for $30 per 1000 so i grabbed some of those. Tim

amamnn · April 27, 2012, 06:43 PM

It is best not to become married to a COAL. For starters, the COAL mentioned in reloading manuals and websites is partly to put everyone using the data on notice that your results may vary if you use a different number--this is really kind of silly since seating dies do not index the bullet on the tip, nor on the datum point of the ogive of the bullet, but somewhere--where oh where--else.

The best way to determine your best seating depth (which to my way of thinking is bassackwards since I am interested in how close the bullet is to touching the lands of the barrel) is to get a good bullet comparator like the Sinclair hex tool which is made with the same reamers that are used to create chambers in barrels, an RCBS precision mic, if one is made for your cartridge and start measuring, and some digital calipers.

I like the RCBS tool because it does not stick in the barrel and give false readings as the old home made ogive comparator of a used case and a bullet does. The RCBS "bullet" is not so soft as to stick if jammed in the lands.

The COAL you read about may or not yield the best accuracy for you--you must experiment--that's what this handloading thing is all about--finding the best load and tailoring cartridges to specific guns..........an end in itself.

jepp2 · April 27, 2012, 08:01 PM

Maximum OAL when loading for the AR is determined by magazines, not throats. I use the SAAMI max link as the guideline for max and that is 2.260" and that length fits in all the magazines I have ever tried it in. That is much shorter than the length limited by the throat. YMMV

April 24, 2012, 10:47 PM	#2
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	I have had the best results with a COAL of 2.24 in my AR for 55 gr bullets. I load the heavier 69 Gr matchkings to 2.257, which is just under max length. Honestly, though, the winchester's should be fine loaded with data for a standard 55 gr FMJ. Bear in mind though, that the Winchester 55gr FMJ bullets I have used are shorter when compared to a Hornady 55gr FMJ. Set your die appropriately, and shoudn't be a worry. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

April 25, 2012, 12:29 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Most OAL for 55 gr bullets are 2.20 since you are using a under max load of powder that will not be a problem. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

April 25, 2012, 04:52 AM	#4
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	So I can keep the same charge and measure the length of the bullets and adjust the OAL accordingly? For my 45acp, I shoot cast but use data for all 230gr cast bullets and do not worry about different manufacturers. Thanks,Tim __________________ uva uvam videndo varia fit

April 25, 2012, 08:23 AM	#5
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Same load for the Sierra 55 grain bullets will work with your Winchester 55 fmj's. Might drop back to 24.5 and work up looking for what your rifle likes best. The Win 55 fmj's I've loaded have a long sharply pointed tip and overall length is best at 2.250". Win 55 fmj's are not the most consistent or most accurate but ok for plinking and blasting. Most recommend CCI 450 or CCI 41's for AR's but others use the CCI 400 and have no issues. The tip shape of the Win 55 fmj's may vary a few thousandths and I'd seat them to where the longest would be 2.250" with some ending up slightly less. Last edited by rg1; April 25, 2012 at 08:29 AM.

April 25, 2012, 10:01 AM	#6
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	That's what I was looking for. I will drop down and work up from there. So far the CCI400's are working fine. __________________ uva uvam videndo varia fit

April 24, 2012, 10:09 PM	#1
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	223 C.O.A.L 55 gr question Started loading the .223 with 25grs H335, CCI 400 and Sierra 55gr SBT bullets #1365. I am looking for a recipe using the Winchester 55gr FMJ. My book doesn't have one. This is for the 16" Bushmaster AR15. Thanks, Tim. __________________ uva uvam videndo varia fit

April 25, 2012, 09:16 PM	#7
EmptyHull Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 145	Bought the Winchester 55gr FMJ's tonight. Measured about .015" longer than the Speers SBT that i was using. Cabelas also had a sale on the CCI 400's for $30 per 1000 so i grabbed some of those. Tim __________________ uva uvam videndo varia fit

April 27, 2012, 06:43 PM	#8
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	It is best not to become married to a COAL. For starters, the COAL mentioned in reloading manuals and websites is partly to put everyone using the data on notice that your results may vary if you use a different number--this is really kind of silly since seating dies do not index the bullet on the tip, nor on the datum point of the ogive of the bullet, but somewhere--where oh where--else. The best way to determine your best seating depth (which to my way of thinking is bassackwards since I am interested in how close the bullet is to touching the lands of the barrel) is to get a good bullet comparator like the Sinclair hex tool which is made with the same reamers that are used to create chambers in barrels, an RCBS precision mic, if one is made for your cartridge and start measuring, and some digital calipers. I like the RCBS tool because it does not stick in the barrel and give false readings as the old home made ogive comparator of a used case and a bullet does. The RCBS "bullet" is not so soft as to stick if jammed in the lands. The COAL you read about may or not yield the best accuracy for you--you must experiment--that's what this handloading thing is all about--finding the best load and tailoring cartridges to specific guns..........an end in itself. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

April 27, 2012, 08:01 PM	#9
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Maximum OAL when loading for the AR is determined by magazines, not throats. I use the SAAMI max link as the guideline for max and that is 2.260" and that length fits in all the magazines I have ever tried it in. That is much shorter than the length limited by the throat. YMMV