done

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have some Sierra 107 grain bullets, some Speer 85 grainers, and Barnes 62 grain Varmint Grenades, but haven't tried any of them yet.  You can get the barrel in 1 in 10 or 1 in 9 twist.  I specified 1 in 9, so it should stabilize the heavier bullets OK.  If it does, I may snap up the Berger VLDs at the gun shop...

So far, the 58 grain Hornadys with IMR 8208 XBR powder seems to be the ticket!

[Fisherdave10]

For plinking ammo, I used to trim every casing as a part of my case prep routine.  That sucked.  Removing crimps from the primer pocket sucks too, but is pretty quick.  5.56 spec ammo will usually have a ring crimp at the primer pocket.  Federal .223 also has crimped in primers.  Other than that, I do like Federal .223 brass because the brass length is short from the factory and you can have several firings before thinking about trimming it.

Now I size my brass in an RCBS X-die and I don't have to trim.  The longer cases stay at least .010" below the maximum case length now. 

Get a Lee Factory Crimp Die.  Case length does not matter and it is extremely easy to setup.  It is a fantastic product.

Varget is a great powder, but is a little slow for 55gr bullets.  The extruded shape of the powder can make progressive loading a little bit bumpy...

I like Ramshot TAC.  Because it is spherical, it meters well and is relatively economical.  I really need to find a few more pounds...

[Blacklab]

cfe-223 is a great powder for your ar. Fast burning, stable and easy on the barrel. You might also look into mag primers for the thicker walls. To lessen the chance of slam fires. 

[Fl0und3rz]

How important is cup pressure in the ar's for cycling.better to be higher or lower?

About the best I have seen on the topic to answer your question. 

http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/operation.shtml

Short answer is it depends and neither.  There tends to be a sweet spot that depends on rifle configuration.

[stevemiller]

thanks a lot of info there. 

[Heredoggydoggy]

You might also look into mag primers for the thicker walls. To lessen the chance of slam fires. 

I've never had a slam fire.  Shot many rounds with CCI and Wolf primers.  Sometimes get a mark in the primer of an unfired chambered round due to the "floating firing pin", but oddly enough, never a slam fire.  I've seen the #41 primers that are designed for the AR but haven't used any.  They probably have an extra thick primer cup. 

[jay.sharkbait]

You might also look into mag primers for the thicker walls. To lessen the chance of slam fires. 

I've never had a slam fire.  Shot many rounds with CCI and Wolf primers.  Sometimes get a mark in the primer of an unfired chambered round due to the "floating firing pin", but oddly enough, never a slam fire.  I've seen the #41 primers that are designed for the AR but haven't used any.  They probably have an extra thick primer cup. 

I've never had a slam fire either

[Heredoggydoggy]

no slams yet but did have one jam (sideways)crushed the case and when mag emptied bolt stayed forward.this did not happen when firing hornady 55gr. vmax.what would you say the prob. may be? 

Not enough pressure to make the bolt carrier/bolt go back far enough to eject the empty and activate the lockback.  The .223 was designed around the 55 grain bullet.  Lightest bullet I've loaded is 50 grain, and they functioned fine. 

[Fl0und3rz]

no slams yet but did have one jam (sideways)crushed the case and when mag emptied bolt stayed forward.this did not happen when firing hornady 55gr. vmax.what would you say the prob. may be? 

Not enough pressure to make the bolt carrier/bolt go back far enough to eject the empty and activate the lockback.  The .223 was designed around the 55 grain bullet. 

That'd be my guess as well. My data shows that to be about 3150 fps out of a 20" 1/7 barrel, which is mid-range for the Sierra data.  Also, as a point of reference, the velocity for M193 is around 3150 fps for a 55 grain bullet, so I would expect those specs to produce a higher pressure than what you are using.  I'd consider bumping up the charge before I would consider any other causes.

[stevemiller]

Ok,will do.Thanks for the replies. 

[Blacklab]

Hey Steve your 9th addition Hornady has that powder for the 6.5 Grendel  Copper fouling eliminator 223 is manufactured by Hodgedon. Faster cleaner cooler and stable.

[brokenvet]

Lots of info here.  Yes of course trim cases, full length size the cases that's to ensure that round go into full battery. 

I shoot the AR, m14 & the M1 garand and I have only one slam fire and that was due
To a primer not fully seated.

Hornady reloading manual 7th or 8th Edition has specific loading data for the service rifle.

[gasman]

Well. i just loaded up 150 rounds of .223 for some plinking with my AR.

Used Hornady V max, in 55gr and 24.7 grains of TAC powder.

We will see how it works 


I did have to Swagger some of the brass, the Tula and Rem brass were Ok but the others I had need to be swagged. It was first time swagging primer pockets and a learning experience for me 

[Blacklab]

from hodgdon web page

55 GR. BAR TSX FB    Hodgdon    CFE 223    .224"    2.180"    24.7    3065    44,600 PSI    27.4    3317    54,000 PSI          
55 GR. SPR SP    Hodgdon    CFE 223    .224"    2.200"    26.0    3133    43,300 PSI    27.8    3329    51,300 PSI          
(Click on any icon below to return to that product)

[Heredoggydoggy]

I've heard that the pressures are higher in the military 5.56 ammo to make sure they cycle the action in an AR type gun in battle.  I load for accuracy, and that's usually about the middle of the load table.  Even loads at the bottom of the load table have never failed to cycle in my AR rifles.