Would like your input

[MCK45ACP]

I've been wanting a .223 for a long time and it will possibly happen within the next couple of months. I have shot AR's and reciently I had the opportunity to fire a Ruger SR-556 (with witch I'm quite impressed). But whatever rifle I decide on, of course I'll be reloading .223's soon after.
I currently reload .308's for my Ruger 77 and use RCBS COMP FL sizer and seater dies. Going by what I have read on RCBS's site standard FL sizing dies aren't reccomended for auto loading rifles. They suggest Small Base dies. Dillon offers their FL carbide die and says it will size to min tolerance to accomodate auto loaders. I will be using my 550. I also have a Rock Chucker that I'll use for single stage opps. Here's what I'de like your input on. What do you guys use and what works well for you? What's YOUR ideas on small base dies vs standard. Also what is your favorite recipe under a 55gr bullet?
I would appreciate your ideas and comments. Thanks!!

[Murphy's Law]

I just started reloading for .223 myself the past couple months. Until then it was only pistol (40 & 45). I have the 550B and purposely got the Dillon carbide dies. From the very start everything ran perfectly and still does. Even though I use HOS and lube, I really don't this it's necessary in station #1. Also, you barely "crimp" in station # 4 per Dillon. You basically just place the bullet ( I've been using 55gr) on the case and hand feed into the seating die vs belling the case. In fact, I don't think station # 2 (powder and belling) that belling even takes place with the powder die that comes with the die set. As for powder, I purposely bought 1 lb of Vargent, H335, H332 and Benchrest. Although the jury is still out, (and keep in mind every rifle is different), I tend to like the H335 with 25.5 gr under various brass with CCI # 41 primers. Sorry I can't comment on the other stuff but hope this helps a little. I will say also, that I'm having a blast shooting my AR Colt A3 and now have a Eotech and 4X multiplier which helps me reach out to 100 yards. I know you'll also have fun when you get your ..223 no matter what the configuration. Good Luck.

[zdogk9]

I use an RCBS full length size die for my AR and my mini 14, I have a neck size die that I use for my Savage. To date this has been satisfactory. I keep the brass for the bolt action separate from the other and am anal about its care. The stuff for the autos, not so much. Usually I'll load it three or four times for the AR then I'll move it over to the mini for it's final go-round, (it is hard on brass)

[Bush Pilot]

While Dillon carbide dies are top quality, they are expensive. BTW, you still need to lube cases when using carbide rifle dies. I load a fair amount of .223 for various ARs and don't use a small base die.

When it comes to powder, H335 is my first choice. I've used H335 for years and found it provides the best accuracy in my rifles (semi & bolt) It doesn't hurt that I still have 15-8# kegs in the powder cache.

[nitesite]

I haven't found the need for a small base die. I use full length sizing dies and haven't had any problems with my ammo in a Bushmaster. For lube I use Redding Sizing Wax.

Powder's I've tried? H335, BL-C(2), AA 2230, Varget, and H322.

I like H322 and H335 the best with 55-gr bullets. For heavier bullets I like Varget.

[ASH]

Been loading for my 3 Ar's now with standard Lee deluxe rifle die set with no problems to date. My Rock River likes hornaday fmjbt over 25.3 grains of H335 with CCI small rifle mag primer. Another favorite is 55 grain V-Max with 23 grains of benchmark. The first load I listed is kind of hot so make sure you do proper work up with it. Good shooting.

[MCK45ACP]

Thanks Ash, I just logged on to ask about using Mag primers with H335. You answered my question. I know it reccomends using them, just wanted to be sure.

[RustyFN]

I use a standard Lee FL sizing die for my AR. I have never needed a small base die. I think any brand FL die will work fine. As far as powder I like H335 and W748. Both powders show a mag primer in the Speer manual I have but the standard primers work fine.

[BigSlick]

I use a standard Lee FL sizing die for my AR. I have never needed a small base die. I think any brand FL die will work fine. As far as powder I like H335 and W748. Both powders show a mag primer in the Speer manual I have but the standard primers work fine.

+1

My experience exactly.

Plus, AA 2230 is real nice, if ya can find any. 3031 will send em outbound real nice too, it just doesn't meter as smooth as the others.

3031 and AA 2230 are particularly good with 62gr should you decide to go there.

[ASH]

Thanks Slick I just got some 62 grain pills and have not done anything with them as of yet.

[GLShooter]

I use standard dies for all my AR's and bolt guns without problems. I like AA2015, AA2230, H322 , and H335. They perform well with the 55's in my rifles.

I bought a bunch of AA2200 and have been using it on light (40 grain bullet) loads for my bolt guns.

Greg

[jtrade]

I use the Lee Pacesetter 3 Die Set (Part #: 90502).

J

[CZ93X62]

Full-length resizing dies have worked well in all of the 223 gas guns I've loaded for.

My go-to powder in 223 has been WW-748 for almost 30 years. It meters like water in most measures, with VERY small variances. With 55 grain bullets, my usual load is 25.0-26.0 grains, bolt or gas gun. Having a 22-250 and 243 on hand, I don't need to hot-rod the 223.

I have a friend with a Savage bolter in 223, single-shot variant. His load with the 55ers is 28.5 grains of WW-748 (!!!). He gets 3350 FPS from his rifle's 26" barrel, and it shoots into the .3s and .4s very consistently.

[Frostback]

I use a Lee FL die with 25gr of Varget under a 55gr FMJ (on the mild side, but accurate). I shoot from hot to cold conditions, and H335 doesn't do well for me when going from one to the other.

Hornady FL dies DO NOT size down far enough for my AR's and AUG and will jam them up tighter than a bull's arse at fly time.

Frosty

[Bush Pilot]

How tough is Varget to find in Calgary?

[Rollis]

I have both types of RCBS dies and see no diffrence in function, of ether of my rife's. 4895 is a good chioce to. Do not crimp any bullits that don't have a canlitur.

[Oreo]

I haven´t heard anyone mention TAC yet but it is also a very popular powder for .223. Although I haven´t made it to actually firing any off yet, when I was doing my research for AR ammo I was convinced enough to buy several 8lb jugs of the stuff.

Ultimately, what I heard most often was that the .223 is very versatile and able to get good results from many different powders.

[Frostback]

How tough is Varget to find in Calgary?

Lately, near impossible, as is most everything. I picked up a couple of pounds last autumn, so that should do me until next autumn.

Frosty

[JW6108]

Lee dies work fine for me in both AR's; I don't know if they can be thought of as small base or not, but who cares, they get it done.

I use H335 with 55 grain bullets; it too does what I want done with no muss, no fuss.

[MCK45ACP]

Thanks Everyone for your input! You've been a great help. I'll keep you posted once I start reloading the .223s and work up some loads. I have found H335 & W748 is wicked scarce. Most every other powder mentioned can be had. I've decided on the Ruger SR-556.

[Rollis]

Don't forget to write it up.

[dek]

Been loading .223/5.56 for 10 years. RCBS FL dies work well, never a problem.
22 gr 3031 w/62gr FMJ is a good, fun load. Fairly accurate out to 200'. I've found the best powder measure for long stick powders, like 3031, is the cheap (all plastic), Lee perfect powder measure for about $20 last time I bought one (5 yrs ago) and have loaded 5k through it and it's still going. It doesn't cut the powder granules like other measures and its accuracy is phenomenal for such a cheap contraption. Match quality I use 24.0 gr of RL 15 and sierra match king 77gr bullets for 200-600' in a wlilson 1/7 twist bbl from White Oak Precision.