.223 component recommendations

[jmacken37]

Hello,

I'm placing an order for 9mm components that will be my first reloading project on a 550 press. To save on the HazMat fee, I also want to add components for .223 as I'll load those soon, too.

1) Any recommendations as to powder?
2) What size primer do I need?
3) Also, does anyone have an idea how many rounds 8 lbs of a given rifle powder will allow me reload?

Thanks for all the help!

Jake (newb reloader)

[Fritzer]

I'll take a run at asking for some more detail - others can help with recommendations.

What kind of rifle? (bolt gun or AR platform).
They are small rifle primers (not magnum), some recommend a harder primer cup for the AR-15 to avoid slam fires. My load book specified the Remmington 7 1/2 primers. They are easily located in my area.

What bullet weight are you planning to load? This can influence powder recommendations.

A pound is 7,000 grains.
.223 loads roughly range from 23 to 27 grains, depends on the powder.
That will get you somewhere over 2,000 rounds out of 8 Lbs.

If you get a more specific powder & load you can do your calculations from there.

I'll be watching for specific load recommendations myself.
Fritz.

[Bush Pilot]

Hello,

I'm placing an order for 9mm components that will be my first reloading project on a 550 press. To save on the HazMat fee, I also want to add components for .223 as I'll load those soon, too.

1) Any recommendations as to powder?
2) What size primer do I need?
3) Also, does anyone have an idea how many rounds 8 lbs of a given rifle powder will allow me reload?

Thanks for all the help!

Jake (newb reloader)

This is really an open ended question. What do you plan on loading for?, plinking?, varmints? home defense? What type of rifle? rate of twist? Be more specific with details as to what you actually want to do with the rifle.

[jmacken37]

Forgive my lack of knowledge. The guns shooting this ammo would be a mix of:

Bushmaster select fire 14.5" bbl (1 in 9")
HK 416 10.4" and 14.5" bbl (1 in 7")
AR15 16" bbl (1 in 7" and 1 in 9")

I'm awaiting transfer on the BM and HK rifles. Would be shooting a mix of FA and semi with mostly FA in short bursts. These rifles will be used for demonstrations to LEA's, so I guess 'plinkin' is the most accurate description. I had anticipated using a 55 gr projectile as that is what I'v usually shot in my AR's. I'm open to other bullet weights, too, though.

Thanks for the help!

Jake

[CaptToyota]

Loading for AR-15 with auto-matic clock works...


Bulk up some 55gr bullets, and some WC-844. Typically 25-26.5gr will serve the purpose.

My 7.5" and 11.5" SBR eat it up.


Get the 9mm loaded yet ?

[jmacken37]

I just got the 550 in the mail today along with a FA AK47. I did get a chance to fondle the AK, but not the reloading stuff. I'm planning on purchasing some 9mm components with some .223 stuff to save on the HazMat fee. Thanks for the help guys!

Jake

[degoodman]

Worth noting is that AR's with the "party switch" don't like tired brass. Keep close tabs on the number of times the lots have been fired, and don't plan on running a particular case a long time. I treat them like ful power loads in .40 Glock brass. 1st, 2nd or 3rd load is all they see, including the factory loading if you're using pickups.

Also, you'll want to make sure that you're using like headstamp brass, and I really like mil-spec brass as opposed to commercial.

Now all that having been said, I'd stock up on 55 gr FMJ's an don't look back. There are several sources for a 5000 pack of Hornady's that can be had for under $350 shipped. Best deal going right now. PVI can get you there, and I think wideners can too.

For powder, well there's the trick. WC844 is the current mil-spec standard. It's a ball powder, and aside from their positive metering characteristics for loading, I hate ball powders (100% personal feeling). The original mil-spec was for IMR 8208, but it's not made no more. Lots of people (outside BR circles where powder is more like religion) claim that H322 is as identical to 8208 as its possible to be. Me personally, I use LOTS of varget. and I mean LOTS. 26.5 wil have you well over 3200 with a full length AR tube, and its well below the 27.5 grain book maximum. It also runs my 16" guns well, but I don't have any SBR's so you'll have to confer with others there. For the nickels and pennies, wc844 is probably what you want. With damn near any appropriate powder, the charge that works will be between 23 and 28 grains at the extremes, which gives you between 2000 and 2400 rounds per 8 lb.

Primers: use winchester, cci, or the mil-spec cci's. There are stories about the wolf primers being quite good, but I've not used them enough to tender an opinion yet. And when you seat your primers, you feel them in there. If they feel like they seat easy, they'll blow out on you in party mode. Make sure they seat firmly and tight. When you cut or swage out the primer pockets in your .mil brass, don't move too much metal if you don't have to.