The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Reloading .223 for an AR-15

Wyo Dutch · September 29, 2012, 01:21 PM

I'm new here and don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

Anyway... I read this thread top to bottom and was pretty darned impressed with the professionalism, knowledge and courtesy of all posters.

I've been reloading off and on since 1969, when I bought my first RCBS "Junior" press from Gander Mountain. (I was on active duty at the time.) I load .45acp, 9mm, .270, 30-06, 10mm and 7.62/.308. The 30-06 and 7.62 are for my 'collection' of Garands, 1903's and a couple M1A's.

I finally picked-up a 5.56/.223 after years of badgering from my sons, who learned to love that caliber in the Army. Anyway, I bought a Ruger Mini14 "tactical" and hung a Nikon M223 2 to 8 on it.

I started loading 5.56 this past week. Here is the skinny:

Brass - Once fired surplus from Jeff Bartlett (primer pocket swaged by Jeff)
Bullets - Surplus SS109
Primers - CCI type 41
Powder - H335

I carefully resize, deprime and prep all cases. I mic each case (I'm anal!) before priming and give them a visual inspection. Bullets are seated and lightly crimped.

1.74 = Case trim
2.23 = OAL

Here is my results thus far:

Powder charge Ambient temperature Chrony velocity

23.0 72 2,635
23.5 72 2,643
24.0 72 2,706
24.0 55 2,667
24.5 55 2,719
25.0 55 2,773

Fired cases show no signs of excessive pressure.

Since the Mini14 has a 16.12" barrel, I would expect that I'd see somewhere around 2,850 in a 20" AR15.

Anyway... Do my results square up with the experience of other readers? I'm leaning toward making this my go-to load.

Thanks in advance

September 29, 2012, 01:21 PM	#42
Wyo Dutch Junior Member Join Date: September 29, 2012 Posts: 2	Tagging along I'm new here and don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Anyway... I read this thread top to bottom and was pretty darned impressed with the professionalism, knowledge and courtesy of all posters. I've been reloading off and on since 1969, when I bought my first RCBS "Junior" press from Gander Mountain. (I was on active duty at the time.) I load .45acp, 9mm, .270, 30-06, 10mm and 7.62/.308. The 30-06 and 7.62 are for my 'collection' of Garands, 1903's and a couple M1A's. I finally picked-up a 5.56/.223 after years of badgering from my sons, who learned to love that caliber in the Army. Anyway, I bought a Ruger Mini14 "tactical" and hung a Nikon M223 2 to 8 on it. I started loading 5.56 this past week. Here is the skinny: Brass - Once fired surplus from Jeff Bartlett (primer pocket swaged by Jeff) Bullets - Surplus SS109 Primers - CCI type 41 Powder - H335 I carefully resize, deprime and prep all cases. I mic each case (I'm anal!) before priming and give them a visual inspection. Bullets are seated and lightly crimped. 1.74 = Case trim 2.23 = OAL Here is my results thus far: Powder charge Ambient temperature Chrony velocity 23.0 72 2,635 23.5 72 2,643 24.0 72 2,706 24.0 55 2,667 24.5 55 2,719 25.0 55 2,773 Fired cases show no signs of excessive pressure. Since the Mini14 has a 16.12" barrel, I would expect that I'd see somewhere around 2,850 in a 20" AR15. Anyway... Do my results square up with the experience of other readers? I'm leaning toward making this my go-to load. Thanks in advance