.223/ 5.56 Reloading thread

[JJB11B]

I am looking for Powder suggestions to run behind 55Gr bullets out of my 1:8 barreled AR-15. I have a couple pounds of Varget but does anyone have any suggestions for another powder. I am trying to make this rifle as accurate as possible for varmint shooting. I just got the rifle dialed in as good as I can until I can come up with a load the rifle likes. Of the 3 different factory loads I shot through it it definitely liked the Federal Premium 55Gr Nosler Ballistic tips the best.
3 loads I shot were:
Hornady Superformance 53Gr Vmax
Federal Premium 55Gr Nosler Ballistic tips
62 Gr Fusion PSP's (don't know much about these) they didn't perform too well

[headshot5]

TAC powder is a go to powder.  Others would be H322, and WIN 748.  Varget is pretty solid performer as well.

 

[JDHasty]

TAC  BL-C(2)

I have found the Sierra 1365 & 1390 to frequently give me the finest accuracy of the 55 gr bullets.  The 1390 is like shooting a boat-tailed parachute, what with the big HP out front.  I shot it in my 22-250 788 for quite a few years though because it was super accurate for  a game bullet.  When I changed barrels the 1365 was more accurate and I haven't used the 1390 so much lately. 

[JJB11B]

TAC powder is a go to powder.  Others would be H322, and WIN 748.  Varget is pretty solid performer as well.

 

I think I saw somewhere that H335 was good as well.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've ran buckets and buckets of imr3031 through my AR's with good results.  That 8 twist is gonna like the heavies a bit more than the little pills.  Try some 68-75gr pills.  In my zombie gun I just mass load 50gr remington HP because I'm not too concerned with very fine accuracy and I want to shoot a lot for cheap. They shoot around 1.5" at 100 yards, but most all my shooting with that gun is closer.

My coyote rig I run 70gr Berger VLD's. Very accurate in that rifle with its 7 twist.

[JJB11B]

I've ran buckets and buckets of imr3031 through my AR's with good results.  That 8 twist is gonna like the heavies a bit more than the little pills.  Try some 68-75gr pills.  In my zombie gun I just mass load 50gr remington HP because I'm not too concerned with very fine accuracy and I want to shoot a lot for cheap. They shoot around 1.5" at 100 yards, but most all my shooting with that gun is closer.

My coyote rig I run 70gr Berger VLD's. Very accurate in that rifle with its 7 twist.

Duly noted, thank you!

[Karl Blanchard]

I've ran buckets and buckets of imr3031 through my AR's with good results.  That 8 twist is gonna like the heavies a bit more than the little pills.  Try some 68-75gr pills.  In my zombie gun I just mass load 50gr remington HP because I'm not too concerned with very fine accuracy and I want to shoot a lot for cheap. They shoot around 1.5" at 100 yards, but most all my shooting with that gun is closer.

My coyote rig I run 70gr Berger VLD's. Very accurate in that rifle with its 7 twist.

Duly noted, thank you!

I don't think 3031 is the best powder for the .223 but it is always on the shelf.  One of the reasons I switched to it during the Obama drought.  Sometimes making what you have work is easier than finding what you want to work.

[DJ_Mack]

22grs of X-terminator with 55gr bullet at you will be amazed. I get 1/2 moa with hornady vmax.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chappy84]

I have a 1:7" barrel and haven't found anything more accurate than 60 grain nosler BT loaded out to 2.258", in front of 24.5 grains benchmark powder, CCI BR primers. This is my load so may not work for you. If you want to test some I can give you a couple? Pretty bad medicine for yotes and no good if your keeping pelts. 95 yards


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JJB11B]

22grs of X-terminator with 55gr bullet at you will be amazed. I get 1/2 moa with hornady vmax.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

the factory Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic tip 55Gr bullets shot excellently. I have Benchmark and Varget powders. I think I am going to find a powder charge with Varget that the gun likes because then I can run the same bullets and powder through my .22-250 and .223. I know I may lose just a little accuracy but I know my .22-250 shoots the 55Gr Noslers well.

[actionshooter]

For a 1/8 try the Hornady 68s and 69smk's w/ Tac and varget at 24-25gr.....in my expeience those are awesome loads for the 18-20" 1/8 barrels.
Getting .5-.75moa in mine.

[carpsniperg2]

H335 has always been my go to for 223 and variants off that case.

[300rum]

H335 for me too.   

[JLR]

Benchmark, TAC, xbr 8208.  I use TAC for everything from 53gr Vmax to 77gr SMK, but I'm going to play with 8208 a little as it shows some promise with the heavies for sure.

[b23]

I pretty much shoot 53Vmax and lighter bullets in my 223's and 223 Ack Imp.  Benchmark works very well for me.  There are sooooo many different powders that work well in the 223 that finding a good one isn't something that's very difficult.

A powder that's been around forever and works very well with just about all bullet weights is Win 748.

[NRA4LIFE]

Another for IMR3031.  When I started reloading, Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet and powder selection where I lived was lame.  Started off with 3031 and have stuck with it.  Maybe not the best, but I only shoot a mini 14 so I have no idea how accurate it is.

[Bofire]

Accurate 2230

[jasnt]

I'm using 21.0 gr of H4895 with NCC 77gr  2.250" or 77gr OTM's

[mountainman]

Tac or H335 works best and simplest!

[JJB11B]

Anyone have Sierra or Nosler books handy? I'm looking for C.O.L. For sierra 55 gr HPBT item #1390


Also looking for C.O.L. For Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. 55gr part # 39560

[Woodchuck]

Anyone have Sierra or Nosler books handy? I'm looking for C.O.L. For sierra 55 gr HPBT item #1390


Also looking for C.O.L. For Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. 55gr part # 39560

You could start a poll to see who has which. 

[JDHasty]

Anyone have Sierra or Nosler books handy? I'm looking for C.O.L. For sierra 55 gr HPBT item #1390


Also looking for C.O.L. For Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. 55gr part # 39560

you can get the ogive out tighter to the lands, yet still have an OAL that will feed through a magazine than almost all other bullets that are "streamlined."  It is a noisy son-of-a-gun flying through the air and throws a heck of a shock wave off the nose as it goes downrange.  Huge hollow-point, but really tough jacket makes it a pretty good coyote bullet.   

[Fl0und3rz]

2.240"  for  Sierra #1390

This says 2.260" for all the Nosler 55 grain.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/223-remington/

[JJB11B]

2.240"  for  Sierra #1390

This says 2.260" for all the Nosler 55 grain.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/223-remington/

perfect thank you

[jasnt]

I have never used book col. Your rifle will tell you where to seat it. Jme

[uplandhunter870]

TAC 25.5 grains Nosler 55gr varmagedeon set to just under mag length (not sure of COAL havent measured) shoots just over 1" with iron sights.

this result was with a factory stock ruger ar556, have since made upgrades to trigger and added an optic and have not had time to test since upgrades.

[JJB11B]

So, I have discovered that even some of the over the counter ammunition I bought has a military style crimp. What is the general consensus on the easiest method of removing said crimp? Is there anything wrong with just swaging all of my primer pockets, or should I spend some more money and buy the crimp remover? I want to do this right. I am not a fan of half-assing things like this at all.

[Fl0und3rz]

I use the Lyman reamer.  It's cheap.  If you're sorting brass by headstamp - you should - you would only ream/sage the ones that need it, if for no other reason than not doing work you dont have to do.

[JJB11B]

I use the Lyman reamer.  It's cheap.  If you're sorting brass by headstamp - you should - you would only ream/sage the ones that need it, if for no other reason than not doing work you dont have to do.

Thank you, I did sort it out by type, I did notice that the nickel plated Federal Premium brass has a crimp...The reason I ask this is because my RCBS Primer Pocket Swaging kit will be here tomorrow. I don't have a case prep station yet, I would like one eventually.

[Fl0und3rz]

That should do you fine.  PMC is notorious for crimps and also different lots' headstamps.  I sort it all.

[300rum]

The Dillon super Swager is the best if you are doing it by hand.  I run everything through, just in case.

[JJB11B]

The Dillon super Swager is the best if you are doing it by hand.  I run everything through, just in case.

I would have loved to buy that one but I couldn't see anything in the reviews that would justify the extra $110 with my budget

[JJB11B]

I guess to simplify my question, Between Swaging and Reaming primer pockets does one have an advantage over the other, besides speed?

[300rum]

Swaging does a better job. 

[JJB11B]

awesome! I was hoping to hear that, I can get away with not buying the case prep station as I already have the chamfer/deburring tool and the case trimmer. 

[JJB11B]

Look what came in the mail!

[JJB11B]

Well, after I got home from the gym I was feeling productive. Loaded 6 rounds of each load I wanted to start with, using Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets. Started with Benchmark powder and loaded 2 grains below max 1 grain below max and the max, then did the same with varget. I still have a lot of different bullets I want to try but I am waiting to do that until I get my competition die, adjusting seating depth will be easier. I'll have to go buy some 62 gr and 69gr bullets too...need to hit the range.