Looking for the "Best" .223 Load

swmike · January 21, 2007, 06:06 PM

I am looking for the "best" load for .223 to be shot in an Olympic Arms CAR-15. The bbl is marked 5.56 so it has the "Nato Barrel". What is a good load for 55gr BTFMJ's? What load will best duplicate M855 Nato using of course the 62 gr bullets?

I haven't loaded for this rifle in 20 years and now am starting to again.

Any suggestions?

cuate · January 21, 2007, 07:21 PM

As recommended by my favorite Gun Dealer and Store:

25 grains Winchester 748 ball powder pushing a 55 grain flat based spire point and ignited by a CCI small rifle primer. New Remington brass, once or many fired brass, and often GI fired brass resized by RCBS "X" dies.

These cartridges operate my M4A3 Bushie AR, Ruger Ranch rifle, and Ruger
Mod 77 MkII rifles. Accuracy up to my eyesight and shooting, cannot chronograph, shot a hole in the chronny a long time ago.

Absolutely no signs of over pressure.

Edward429451 · January 21, 2007, 08:03 PM

26.0 gr of BLC-2 with a 55 gr FMJ.

Buckythebrewer · January 21, 2007, 08:37 PM

Swmike,My favorite powder for general ar15 use with 55gr(because it burns so clean and is accurate)is A2015br(A xmr 2015) .I recommend using Lee data or something you can trust and start with normal start loads and work up from there.what is not over pressure in one rifle may be WAY over pressure in another.Don't take any chances

Bullet94 · January 21, 2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

swmike
Looking for the "Best" .223 Load

What is the twist rate of your rifle? Depending on twist you might be able to shoot heavier bullets. You probably would shoot better groups using Sierra Match Kings.

SpyderMan2k4 · January 22, 2007, 12:10 AM

I'm looking to possibly start reloading .223 rounds, what is the cost of each round (bullet, primer, powder)? Just looking for an estimate, thanks!

blancoman · January 22, 2007, 02:17 PM

Handloads.com has a loaddata database on the left side of the screen. Enter caliber, bullet weight and you have about a hundred loads to choose from. I don't know what the twist rate in your rifle is and that will make a difference as to what your gun likes but I do know that shooting a semi will cause recoil to push the bullet deeper into the case unless you put a small crimp on the round. I am talking about the rounds in the magazine, not the one in the chamber. As to cost of reloading, depends on the bullet. Powder and primers are cheap. Bullets can be or not. Cost anywhere from about 15 cents a round for fmj military surplus up to 25 cents for premium varmint bullets.

rn22723 · January 22, 2007, 02:20 PM

The best load is the one you work up in your gun ensuring function, accuracy, and velocity as measured by you.
Copy Cat loading is a prescription for disaster. Do the leg work yourself.

Ramshot TAC or H335 would be good choices to work up loads with!

swmike · January 22, 2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

What is the twist rate of your rifle?

It is 1:8.25 as I measured it. I have a supply of 62gr M855 bullets that I will be loading first. As I understand, this twist rate is good for this bullet weight

Bullet94 · January 22, 2007, 10:04 PM

Your twist rate is fine for 62gr bullets and you can also go heavier if you want.
Here are a couple links to twist rates -

http://www.riflebarrels.com/products...wist_rates.htm

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

Steve 48 · January 24, 2007, 12:13 PM

My favorite load for the 223 is a 40gr Nosler with 28grs of W748 with a CCI magnum primer. You can get a hole in a hole with it even with an AR. Steve48

January 21, 2007, 06:06 PM	#1
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	Looking for the "Best" .223 Load I am looking for the "best" load for .223 to be shot in an Olympic Arms CAR-15. The bbl is marked 5.56 so it has the "Nato Barrel". What is a good load for 55gr BTFMJ's? What load will best duplicate M855 Nato using of course the 62 gr bullets? I haven't loaded for this rifle in 20 years and now am starting to again. Any suggestions? __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

January 21, 2007, 07:21 PM	#2
cuate Junior member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Comanche Co. Texas Posts: 737	.223 reloading data I use As recommended by my favorite Gun Dealer and Store: 25 grains Winchester 748 ball powder pushing a 55 grain flat based spire point and ignited by a CCI small rifle primer. New Remington brass, once or many fired brass, and often GI fired brass resized by RCBS "X" dies. These cartridges operate my M4A3 Bushie AR, Ruger Ranch rifle, and Ruger Mod 77 MkII rifles. Accuracy up to my eyesight and shooting, cannot chronograph, shot a hole in the chronny a long time ago. Absolutely no signs of over pressure. Last edited by cuate; January 21, 2007 at 07:23 PM. Reason: left out digits 748

January 22, 2007, 10:04 PM	#10
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	Your twist rate is fine for 62gr bullets and you can also go heavier if you want. Here are a couple links to twist rates - http://www.riflebarrels.com/products...wist_rates.htm http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

January 21, 2007, 08:03 PM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	26.0 gr of BLC-2 with a 55 gr FMJ.

January 21, 2007, 08:37 PM	#4
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Swmike,My favorite powder for general ar15 use with 55gr(because it burns so clean and is accurate)is A2015br(A xmr 2015) .I recommend using Lee data or something you can trust and start with normal start loads and work up from there.what is not over pressure in one rifle may be WAY over pressure in another.Don't take any chances

January 22, 2007, 12:10 AM	#6
SpyderMan2k4 Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Posts: 35	I'm looking to possibly start reloading .223 rounds, what is the cost of each round (bullet, primer, powder)? Just looking for an estimate, thanks!

January 22, 2007, 02:17 PM	#7
blancoman Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 37	Handloads.com has a loaddata database on the left side of the screen. Enter caliber, bullet weight and you have about a hundred loads to choose from. I don't know what the twist rate in your rifle is and that will make a difference as to what your gun likes but I do know that shooting a semi will cause recoil to push the bullet deeper into the case unless you put a small crimp on the round. I am talking about the rounds in the magazine, not the one in the chamber. As to cost of reloading, depends on the bullet. Powder and primers are cheap. Bullets can be or not. Cost anywhere from about 15 cents a round for fmj military surplus up to 25 cents for premium varmint bullets.

January 22, 2007, 02:20 PM	#8
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	The best load is the one you work up in your gun ensuring function, accuracy, and velocity as measured by you. Copy Cat loading is a prescription for disaster. Do the leg work yourself. Ramshot TAC or H335 would be good choices to work up loads with!

January 24, 2007, 12:13 PM	#11
Steve 48 Member Join Date: April 27, 2006 Posts: 59	My favorite load for the 223 is a 40gr Nosler with 28grs of W748 with a CCI magnum primer. You can get a hole in a hole with it even with an AR. Steve48