new to reloading... 223 help

plinkingdude253 · December 11, 2009, 01:34 AM

i'm just going to get into reloading for my Ar-15 and need suggestions on a good power for 60-75 gr loads. Looks like Varget is a good powder to use. I'm planing on making 75 bthp loads for the accurate long range shots and then 62gr fmj for plinking. The problem is i haven't been able to find good load data for the 62gr.

I'm guessing that if i get a book it will answer the bullet questions but i still want suggestions on the powder.

Also brass recommendations would be appreciated.
Just trying to get your guy's opinions. i know you probably have years of experience on me. thanks

FYI: gun is a 1:8" twist rate so it should stabilize anything under 80gr.

A_Gamehog · December 11, 2009, 02:29 PM

Powder choices in order,

Varget
Reloader-15
Ramshot Tac
AA2230

online sierra load book for you..ar-15 with fast twist loads.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Lake City Brass
CCI Primers

Varget and reloader-15 for the 75's

Tac and AA2230 for the 62's

Be safe.

flashhole · December 11, 2009, 03:38 PM

hog - why do you rate 2230 at the bottom?

DiscoRacing · December 11, 2009, 04:08 PM

i use ram-tac @26grains

A_Gamehog · December 11, 2009, 06:50 PM

Just my observation in my AR-15

The powder (AA2230) is dirty when burned at a min. loads.

The others are clean when used at lower velocity accuracy loads.

I would have listed W-748 but I have trouble finding it available.

jepp2 · December 11, 2009, 07:05 PM

Use a cartridge gage to set up your sizing die, to make sure you set the shoulder back properly. You may find it necessary to crimp to stop bullet movement while chambering (and it might be pushed back into the case, or move forward in the case) since both can occur.

Don't leave your primers high!

whiplash · December 11, 2009, 08:15 PM

I use RL-15 and Varget.....75gr Hornady BTHP Match

isanchez2008 · December 12, 2009, 05:47 PM

I have had good luck with Varget and 69gr Sierra BTHPMKS. I am currently working on a 2230 load as well.

Cloudpeak · December 12, 2009, 07:26 PM

I've reloaded thousands of rounds of 9, 40 and 45 for handguns but have been out of the rifle business (and hunting) for quite a few years due work and a shoulder problem. After shooting a friend's AR and finding it very pleasant to shoot with my bum shoulder and, because Nancy Pelosi doesn't want me to have one, I bought a Bushmaster Carbine.

So, I'm new to reloading for my Bushmaster carbine and checked out all of the powder's suitable but, when it came to finding powder, the only thing on the shelf was Ramshot TAC so I bought it (disadvantage to living in a sparsely populated area).

I loaded up various grains behind both the Hornady 60gr hp and 52gr HPBT. My most accurate load was with the 52gr bullet and 25.2 grains of TAC. TAC measures very accurately. The little carbine will group under 1" from the bench which is plenty good for me.

plinkingdude253 · December 14, 2009, 01:08 AM

I'm also a little confused on what dies to get.. there are so many choices. But for an AR15 i am thinking of the Lee Pacesetter 3 die kit, because it gives me the full length sizer and a factory crimp which is good for auto loading guns..

Am i missing anything? or is that a good choice for the AR..

isanchez2008 · December 14, 2009, 06:48 PM

As for dies.... I used the RCBS Small base dies to begin with. They worked fine. I also bought the Hornady regular FL dies. They worked just as well without working the brass as much. The seating die also has the floating bullet alignment sleeve. As for crimping since it is an semiauto, I would suggest you get a taper crimp die if you are loading bullets with no cannelure. Other than that the factory roll crimp will do fine.

kwells6 · December 14, 2009, 07:24 PM

no one has suggested RL 7... works great with a 55gr V-max

isanchez2008 · December 15, 2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

no one has suggested RL 7... works great with a 55gr V-max

I believe the OP was asking for suggestions for heavier bullets

December 11, 2009, 01:34 AM	#1
plinkingdude253 Member Join Date: October 17, 2009 Posts: 27	new to reloading... 223 help i'm just going to get into reloading for my Ar-15 and need suggestions on a good power for 60-75 gr loads. Looks like Varget is a good powder to use. I'm planing on making 75 bthp loads for the accurate long range shots and then 62gr fmj for plinking. The problem is i haven't been able to find good load data for the 62gr. I'm guessing that if i get a book it will answer the bullet questions but i still want suggestions on the powder. Also brass recommendations would be appreciated. Just trying to get your guy's opinions. i know you probably have years of experience on me. thanks FYI: gun is a 1:8" twist rate so it should stabilize anything under 80gr.

December 11, 2009, 02:29 PM	#2
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	Welcome to the forum Powder choices in order, Varget Reloader-15 Ramshot Tac AA2230 online sierra load book for you..ar-15 with fast twist loads. http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf Lake City Brass CCI Primers Varget and reloader-15 for the 75's Tac and AA2230 for the 62's Be safe. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

December 11, 2009, 03:38 PM	#3
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	hog - why do you rate 2230 at the bottom? __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

December 11, 2009, 06:50 PM	#5
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	Flash Just my observation in my AR-15 The powder (AA2230) is dirty when burned at a min. loads. The others are clean when used at lower velocity accuracy loads. I would have listed W-748 but I have trouble finding it available. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

December 12, 2009, 07:26 PM	#9
Cloudpeak Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 288	I've reloaded thousands of rounds of 9, 40 and 45 for handguns but have been out of the rifle business (and hunting) for quite a few years due work and a shoulder problem. After shooting a friend's AR and finding it very pleasant to shoot with my bum shoulder and, because Nancy Pelosi doesn't want me to have one, I bought a Bushmaster Carbine. So, I'm new to reloading for my Bushmaster carbine and checked out all of the powder's suitable but, when it came to finding powder, the only thing on the shelf was Ramshot TAC so I bought it (disadvantage to living in a sparsely populated area). I loaded up various grains behind both the Hornady 60gr hp and 52gr HPBT. My most accurate load was with the 52gr bullet and 25.2 grains of TAC. TAC measures very accurately. The little carbine will group under 1" from the bench which is plenty good for me. __________________ Cloudpeak

December 11, 2009, 04:08 PM	#4
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	i use ram-tac @26grains

December 11, 2009, 07:05 PM	#6
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Use a cartridge gage to set up your sizing die, to make sure you set the shoulder back properly. You may find it necessary to crimp to stop bullet movement while chambering (and it might be pushed back into the case, or move forward in the case) since both can occur. Don't leave your primers high!

December 11, 2009, 08:15 PM	#7
whiplash Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 334	I use RL-15 and Varget.....75gr Hornady BTHP Match

December 12, 2009, 05:47 PM	#8
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	I have had good luck with Varget and 69gr Sierra BTHPMKS. I am currently working on a 2230 load as well.

December 14, 2009, 01:08 AM	#10
plinkingdude253 Member Join Date: October 17, 2009 Posts: 27	I'm also a little confused on what dies to get.. there are so many choices. But for an AR15 i am thinking of the Lee Pacesetter 3 die kit, because it gives me the full length sizer and a factory crimp which is good for auto loading guns.. Am i missing anything? or is that a good choice for the AR..

December 14, 2009, 06:48 PM	#11
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	As for dies.... I used the RCBS Small base dies to begin with. They worked fine. I also bought the Hornady regular FL dies. They worked just as well without working the brass as much. The seating die also has the floating bullet alignment sleeve. As for crimping since it is an semiauto, I would suggest you get a taper crimp die if you are loading bullets with no cannelure. Other than that the factory roll crimp will do fine.

December 14, 2009, 07:24 PM	#12
kwells6 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 437	no one has suggested RL 7... works great with a 55gr V-max __________________ "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."