Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: JJB11B on January 30, 2017, 03:14:01 PM

Title: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on January 30, 2017, 03:14:01 PM: 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
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: headshot5 on January 30, 2017, 03:27:13 PM: TAC powder is a go to powder. Others would be H322, and WIN 748. Varget is pretty solid performer as well.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JDHasty on January 30, 2017, 03:29:04 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on January 30, 2017, 03:53:31 PM: Quote from: headshot5 on January 30, 2017, 03:27:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 30, 2017, 04:02:14 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on January 30, 2017, 04:04:25 PM: Quote from: BLRman on January 30, 2017, 04:02:14 PM
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!
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 30, 2017, 04:07:56 PM: Quote from: JJB11B on January 30, 2017, 04:04:25 PM
Quote from: BLRman on January 30, 2017, 04:02:14 PM
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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: DJ_Mack on January 30, 2017, 04:26:05 PM: 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
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Chappy84 on February 06, 2017, 08:17:54 PM: 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 (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170207/927f536bdac7cbb63ac8bccd1faa9788.jpg)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 06, 2017, 08:36:46 PM: Quote from: DJ_Mack on January 30, 2017, 04:26:05 PM
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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: actionshooter on February 06, 2017, 11:01:08 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 06, 2017, 11:09:34 PM: H335 has always been my go to for 223 and variants off that case.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: 300rum on February 07, 2017, 05:30:46 AM: H335 for me too. :tup:
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JLR on February 07, 2017, 09:29:13 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: b23 on February 07, 2017, 10:28:44 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: NRA4LIFE on February 07, 2017, 10:34:37 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Bofire on February 07, 2017, 10:37:28 AM: Accurate 2230
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: jasnt on February 08, 2017, 07:39:10 AM: I'm using 21.0 gr of H4895 with NCC 77gr 2.250" or 77gr OTM's
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: mountainman on February 08, 2017, 08:48:22 AM: Tac or H335 works best and simplest!
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 09, 2017, 11:51:35 AM: 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
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Woodchuck on February 09, 2017, 11:56:04 AM: Quote from: JJB11B on February 09, 2017, 11:51:35 AM
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. :dunno:
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JDHasty on February 09, 2017, 12:14:05 PM: Quote from: JJB11B on February 09, 2017, 11:51:35 AM
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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 09, 2017, 12:27:43 PM: 2.240" for Sierra #1390

This says 2.260" for all the Nosler 55 grain.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/223-remington/
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 09, 2017, 12:58:44 PM: Quote from: Fl0und3rz on February 09, 2017, 12:27:43 PM
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
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: jasnt on February 09, 2017, 05:16:19 PM: I have never used book col. Your rifle will tell you where to seat it. Jme
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: uplandhunter870 on February 10, 2017, 07:46:30 AM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 13, 2017, 02:56:10 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 13, 2017, 03:09:22 PM: 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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 13, 2017, 03:14:15 PM: Quote from: Fl0und3rz on February 13, 2017, 03:09:22 PM
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.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 13, 2017, 03:33:08 PM: That should do you fine. PMC is notorious for crimps and also different lots' headstamps. I sort it all.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: 300rum on February 13, 2017, 03:35:24 PM: The Dillon super Swager is the best if you are doing it by hand. I run everything through, just in case.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 13, 2017, 03:40:14 PM: Quote from: 300rum on February 13, 2017, 03:35:24 PM
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
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 13, 2017, 04:23:29 PM: I guess to simplify my question, Between Swaging and Reaming primer pockets does one have an advantage over the other, besides speed?
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: 300rum on February 13, 2017, 06:13:14 PM: Swaging does a better job.
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 13, 2017, 06:16:54 PM: 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. :tup:
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 14, 2017, 11:50:33 AM: Look what came in the mail!
Title: Re: .223/ 5.56 Reloading thread
Post by: JJB11B on February 16, 2017, 01:32:49 AM: 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.