.22 / .224 Same bullet as a .223 for Reload?

ZeroOne · December 4, 2005, 06:20 PM

Dont laugh.. I am super NEW at this. Looking to buy some gear and havent gotten my manuals yet. Just looking to stock up on some small quantities of basic supplies. But as I looked at the PowderValley site I couldnt find .223 bullets.. just the 22/224 bullets. Are these the same thing? (I am reloading for a Bushmaster AR-15 .223)

Dont laugh. I think they are.. but hey.. better safe than sorry right?

I will be reading the manuals when I get them. I dont even have a press yet... come the afternoon of the 25th... I will.

Just looking for a few inital loads to set up and get going with.

Any suggestions would be appreicated. Or a point in the right direction. Thanx.

Followthehollow · December 4, 2005, 06:29 PM

.223 bullets are actually .224 in diameter. those are the correct ones.

ZeroOne · December 4, 2005, 06:33 PM

Thank you. I had to ask just to make sure. I really appreciate it.

ClarkEMyers · December 4, 2005, 06:41 PM

Many cartridges including IIRC .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .220 Swift, .221 Fireball, .222 Remington, .223, .224 Weatherby, .225 Winchester and so on and so forth all use nominal .224 bullets BUT there can be real and important differences.

For instance the .218 Bee is a .224 but you might have one in a lever action with a tubular magazine (lucky you) and so not want a sharp nose.

Then many of the early .22 Hornet and the 22 Highpower are different, the Hornet running smaller and the .22 Highpower running bigger.

Then in a .223/5.56 cartridge there is a wide variety of twist rates found in the field with implications for bullet weight/length for best results.

Best to buy some book. The folks at Powder Valley are good people and as helpful as they know how to be but a few books or more than a few will be helpful.

ZeroOne · December 4, 2005, 06:59 PM

Exactly... Just wating on the manuals. Just getting a feel and possibly picking up some basics. Thanx for the help.

My Factory loads are anywhere between 55g and 68g. I guess those would work for starters.

Just like you said.. I will be reading up on it.

Dave R · December 4, 2005, 11:45 PM

ZeroOne--just to be clear, those grains you're talking about (55-68) refer to bullet weight, not powder weight. You probably knew that, but I just wanted to make sure. If you put 55gr. of powder in a .223 case, it prolly won't fit. If it did, it would prolly blow up your gun.

My .223 loads run about 25-28gr. of powder, depending on the powder.

December 4, 2005, 06:20 PM	#1
ZeroOne Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2005 Posts: 6	.22 / .224 Same bullet as a .223 for Reload? Dont laugh.. I am super NEW at this. Looking to buy some gear and havent gotten my manuals yet. Just looking to stock up on some small quantities of basic supplies. But as I looked at the PowderValley site I couldnt find .223 bullets.. just the 22/224 bullets. Are these the same thing? (I am reloading for a Bushmaster AR-15 .223) Dont laugh. I think they are.. but hey.. better safe than sorry right? I will be reading the manuals when I get them. I dont even have a press yet... come the afternoon of the 25th... I will. Just looking for a few inital loads to set up and get going with. Any suggestions would be appreicated. Or a point in the right direction. Thanx.

December 4, 2005, 06:41 PM	#4
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2004 Location: PacWest Posts: 455	Buy a manual or even 2 Many cartridges including IIRC .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .220 Swift, .221 Fireball, .222 Remington, .223, .224 Weatherby, .225 Winchester and so on and so forth all use nominal .224 bullets BUT there can be real and important differences. For instance the .218 Bee is a .224 but you might have one in a lever action with a tubular magazine (lucky you) and so not want a sharp nose. Then many of the early .22 Hornet and the 22 Highpower are different, the Hornet running smaller and the .22 Highpower running bigger. Then in a .223/5.56 cartridge there is a wide variety of twist rates found in the field with implications for bullet weight/length for best results. Best to buy some book. The folks at Powder Valley are good people and as helpful as they know how to be but a few books or more than a few will be helpful.

December 4, 2005, 11:45 PM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	ZeroOne--just to be clear, those grains you're talking about (55-68) refer to bullet weight, not powder weight. You probably knew that, but I just wanted to make sure. If you put 55gr. of powder in a .223 case, it prolly won't fit. If it did, it would prolly blow up your gun. My .223 loads run about 25-28gr. of powder, depending on the powder. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

December 4, 2005, 06:29 PM	#2
Followthehollow Member Join Date: November 27, 2005 Posts: 22	.223 bullets are actually .224 in diameter. those are the correct ones.

December 4, 2005, 06:33 PM	#3
ZeroOne Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2005 Posts: 6	Thank you. I had to ask just to make sure. I really appreciate it.

December 4, 2005, 06:59 PM	#5
ZeroOne Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2005 Posts: 6	Exactly... Just wating on the manuals. Just getting a feel and possibly picking up some basics. Thanx for the help. My Factory loads are anywhere between 55g and 68g. I guess those would work for starters. Just like you said.. I will be reading up on it.