Loading for an AR-15?

pumpkinheaver · February 5, 2007, 09:21 PM

Any special tips or tricks for loading for an AR-15? I currently load for the .223 in a bolt gun but this is the first ar I have loaded for. Can I use the standard dies I already have or do I need small base dies? Can you suggest a powder for 55 grain and heavier bullets?

keebo52 · February 5, 2007, 10:53 PM

You can use your regular dies unless you have a really tight chamber. All the ARs I've owned didn't need small base dies. The powder you're using for your other .223 bolt action should work for the AR. I'm currently using WC844 bulk powder for .223 and 7.62x39 in my AKs/SKS.

mc223 · February 6, 2007, 12:21 AM

Varget!

Thesenator · February 6, 2007, 05:01 AM

Wcc844 pulled down powder and 62gr pulled bullets. For any mag fed gun, just be sure to watch the OAL and make sure they fit in the mag before you do a bunch.
I put a very slight crimp at the cannelure....just to be sure. Some say its not needed but if the military ammo has it, I'll use it too.

rickh · February 6, 2007, 01:36 PM

I have used w748 & IMR4895 & Reloader15 with 55gr SP and no problems.
Some books show the W748 used witha magnum primer or CCI#41 specifically for 5.56 which is magnum primer according to the CCI web site. They also state the CCI41 is designed to prevent slam fires.
Moving now to varget. I really like the way the W748 meters....
Rick H...

**Unclenick** · February 6, 2007, 03:18 PM

Winchester 748 is vary popular for this round, particularly with the heavier target bullets (69 to 80 grain). Hodgdon Benchmark is excellent with the lighter bullets (50 grains and down). Vihtavuori N135 does well across the range of bullet weights. You can do worse than IMR 3031. Unless you have a match chamber in your barrel, you will likely have a NATO size chamber, with a long throat to accommodate a range of bullet shapes, and will be able to shoot surplus ammunition as a source of cases. If you want reloading information specific to AR's and military style self-loaders and have a good reloading background, consider Glen Zediker's book, Reloading for Competition. It is based on service rifle match loading.

rickh · February 6, 2007, 08:55 PM

And an AR15 web site with a reloading forum.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=1&f=9
I just laoded up 150 with the CCI #41 primers, Varget at 25 grains and Speer 55gr SP Spitzer. Well see how these do.
I do like the way the CCI#41 seats, fits great even after crimp removal.
Rick H...

MrGee · February 8, 2007, 07:35 PM

first thing i'd do is buy new brass, possibly winchesters would be my choice, if you're going to be using mil brass, stock up on primer PINS.... the military brass is tuff stuff

pumpkinheaver · February 8, 2007, 11:27 PM

It's a Bushmaster M4 clone that I'll be loading for. I would mike to shoot the sierra 50gr Blitz bullet but have been told that the rifling twist will be too fast. Is this correct? I had decided that I would shoot something heavier but I have a supply of these as they are a great bullet in my savage varmit rifle.

Jamie Young · February 9, 2007, 08:31 AM

WC844 and surplus 62gr SCBT are a great plinking round. They have a terrible reputation as far as defensive, but cheap and accurate plinking.

Thesenator · February 9, 2007, 09:22 AM

Maybe so Jamie, but I wouldn't want to get hit by one.

Yes they do make good plinking ammo but if TSHTF and it was all you had, you'd be way ahead of someone with nothing.

FM12 · February 10, 2007, 11:31 PM

Get a copy of Glen Zediker's excellent book "The Mouse that Roared" and read the section on reloading for the AR. An excellent read all the way thru.

Lycanthrope · February 11, 2007, 12:01 AM

If you have nver loaded the AR15/.223....load Varget.

You can fill the case to the top and not "blow yourself up".

On top of that.....it's killer accurate.

Be davised that .223 brass volume can differ up to .5 grains. That means a load that is compressed in Federal brass will not be copmpressed in Winchester!

Don't use small base dies. You'll hate all the stuck cases. Standard RCBS full length dies are all you need.

Bullet94 · February 11, 2007, 01:58 AM

pumpkinheaver

What is the twist in your rifle?

http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html

rickh · February 11, 2007, 10:25 AM

Ditto on the dies! I use RCBS competion die set. It has a great bullet seater with it. It has a "Window" built in that you drop the bullet into, makes single stage much faster.
Ditto on the Varget a well. 25 grains +-.03 fits very nicly in a .223 casing. Shot 50 rounds of it yesterday at indoor range. Only 25 yard but groups were great! Using Speer 55gr SP Spitzer and CCI #41 primer.
These were the first rounds I used the drop charger on and did not meausre EVERY load. I am using a 30 year old Ideal #55. Took a few hunders rounds to get it dialed in and gain my confidence.
With the above loading specs I ran a 30 round mag through the AR15 non stop and it never missed a beat! Did not make the others at the range happy, but oh well. I over heard someone saying thats a 22! Its so loud!
Had to wait 30 minutes before I could put the rifle in the case for it to cool down!!!
Rick H...

February 5, 2007, 09:21 PM	#1
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	Loading for an AR-15? Any special tips or tricks for loading for an AR-15? I currently load for the .223 in a bolt gun but this is the first ar I have loaded for. Can I use the standard dies I already have or do I need small base dies? Can you suggest a powder for 55 grain and heavier bullets? __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

February 6, 2007, 03:18 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Winchester 748 is vary popular for this round, particularly with the heavier target bullets (69 to 80 grain). Hodgdon Benchmark is excellent with the lighter bullets (50 grains and down). Vihtavuori N135 does well across the range of bullet weights. You can do worse than IMR 3031. Unless you have a match chamber in your barrel, you will likely have a NATO size chamber, with a long throat to accommodate a range of bullet shapes, and will be able to shoot surplus ammunition as a source of cases. If you want reloading information specific to AR's and military style self-loaders and have a good reloading background, consider Glen Zediker's book, Reloading for Competition. It is based on service rifle match loading. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 8, 2007, 07:35 PM	#8
MrGee Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 260	Any special tips or tricks for loading for an AR-15? first thing i'd do is buy new brass, possibly winchesters would be my choice, if you're going to be using mil brass, stock up on primer PINS.... the military brass is tuff stuff Last edited by MrGee; February 8, 2007 at 07:36 PM. Reason: spacing need a new key board

February 8, 2007, 11:27 PM	#9
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	It's a Bushmaster M4 clone that I'll be loading for. I would mike to shoot the sierra 50gr Blitz bullet but have been told that the rifling twist will be too fast. Is this correct? I had decided that I would shoot something heavier but I have a supply of these as they are a great bullet in my savage varmit rifle. __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

February 9, 2007, 08:31 AM	#10
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	WC844 and surplus 62gr SCBT are a great plinking round. They have a terrible reputation as far as defensive, but cheap and accurate plinking. __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

February 5, 2007, 10:53 PM	#2
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	You can use your regular dies unless you have a really tight chamber. All the ARs I've owned didn't need small base dies. The powder you're using for your other .223 bolt action should work for the AR. I'm currently using WC844 bulk powder for .223 and 7.62x39 in my AKs/SKS.

February 6, 2007, 12:21 AM	#3
mc223 Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2007 Location: n/w Wisconsin Posts: 365	Varget!

February 6, 2007, 05:01 AM	#4
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Wcc844 pulled down powder and 62gr pulled bullets. For any mag fed gun, just be sure to watch the OAL and make sure they fit in the mag before you do a bunch. I put a very slight crimp at the cannelure....just to be sure. Some say its not needed but if the military ammo has it, I'll use it too.

February 6, 2007, 01:36 PM	#5
rickh Member Join Date: January 10, 2007 Posts: 47	I have used w748 & IMR4895 & Reloader15 with 55gr SP and no problems. Some books show the W748 used witha magnum primer or CCI#41 specifically for 5.56 which is magnum primer according to the CCI web site. They also state the CCI41 is designed to prevent slam fires. Moving now to varget. I really like the way the W748 meters.... Rick H...

February 6, 2007, 08:55 PM	#7
rickh Member Join Date: January 10, 2007 Posts: 47	And an AR15 web site with a reloading forum. http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=1&f=9 I just laoded up 150 with the CCI #41 primers, Varget at 25 grains and Speer 55gr SP Spitzer. Well see how these do. I do like the way the CCI#41 seats, fits great even after crimp removal. Rick H...

February 9, 2007, 09:22 AM	#11
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Maybe so Jamie, but I wouldn't want to get hit by one. Yes they do make good plinking ammo but if TSHTF and it was all you had, you'd be way ahead of someone with nothing.

February 10, 2007, 11:31 PM	#12
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	Get a copy of Glen Zediker's excellent book "The Mouse that Roared" and read the section on reloading for the AR. An excellent read all the way thru.

February 11, 2007, 12:01 AM	#13
Lycanthrope Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,752	If you have nver loaded the AR15/.223....load Varget. You can fill the case to the top and not "blow yourself up". On top of that.....it's killer accurate. Be davised that .223 brass volume can differ up to .5 grains. That means a load that is compressed in Federal brass will not be copmpressed in Winchester! Don't use small base dies. You'll hate all the stuck cases. Standard RCBS full length dies are all you need.

February 11, 2007, 01:58 AM	#14
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	pumpkinheaver What is the twist in your rifle? http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

February 11, 2007, 10:25 AM	#15
rickh Member Join Date: January 10, 2007 Posts: 47	Ditto on the dies! I use RCBS competion die set. It has a great bullet seater with it. It has a "Window" built in that you drop the bullet into, makes single stage much faster. Ditto on the Varget a well. 25 grains +-.03 fits very nicly in a .223 casing. Shot 50 rounds of it yesterday at indoor range. Only 25 yard but groups were great! Using Speer 55gr SP Spitzer and CCI #41 primer. These were the first rounds I used the drop charger on and did not meausre EVERY load. I am using a 30 year old Ideal #55. Took a few hunders rounds to get it dialed in and gain my confidence. With the above loading specs I ran a 30 round mag through the AR15 non stop and it never missed a beat! Did not make the others at the range happy, but oh well. I over heard someone saying thats a 22! Its so loud! Had to wait 30 minutes before I could put the rifle in the case for it to cool down!!! Rick H...