Reloading 223/556 question

[Rgarbarino]

So I'm considering getting into reloading for my AR. I just built a rifle for accuracy with a WOA barrel. It's not a wylde chamber but WOA has a proprietary chamber that will shoot both 223 and 556 safely.

I understand the differences between 223 and 556 is mostly the pressure they generate because of the way the chambers are cut and case thickness.

My question is if I were to reload a 556 case would that round remain 556 even if I used loading specs for 223? I know the 556 case is made slightly thicker than 223 so case volume is slightly less, is that what contributes to higher pressure along with the different chamber? Will a 556 case always generate higher pressure?

[Divernhunter]

Unless you are at max load it will not matter. I loaded 5.56 brass to max loads for years without any trouble shooting them in a Rem/mini14/encore pistol and now an AR15 with a Stag upper.

You may find you need a Small Base Die set for the semi-auto.

[BigBronco]

Weigh two pieces of brass. One .223 and one 556. If one weighs more it is usually from the .556 brass being thicker. Therefore if the outside measurements are the same the thicker brasdls will reduce the internal volume of the case. Reduced case volume given the same powder charge will result in higher pressures.

Mixed brass .223 / 556 will have an affect on the accuracy of the lot / batch of ammo. For plinking ammo don't sweat the difference. For more accuracy use matched brass.

[milotrain]

It's not a wylde chamber but WOA has a proprietary chamber that will shoot both 223 and 556 safely.

I understand the differences between 223 and 556 is mostly the pressure they generate because of the way the chambers are cut and case thickness.

My question is if I were to reload a 556 case would that round remain 556 even if I used loading specs for 223? I know the 556 case is made slightly thicker than 223 so case volume is slightly less, is that what contributes to higher pressure along with the different chamber? Will a 556 case always generate higher pressure?

1. What is the throat length of the chamber?
2. When you load a round it's a load you made, it's not a factory round so it's not 5.56 or .223, it's Rgarbarnio's WOA "A" rifle load with xxgr Varget and a 77gr Nosler with a shoulder bump of .002" at standard SAMMI COAL.

[Rgarbarino]

I get that Milotrain but the question is will there be a case pressure difference between the 5.56 case and the 223 case? I'm assuming yes from what little I know about reloading right now based on the volume.

I'm guessing in the reloading books, which I don't have yet, there will be different recipes for 223 and 5.56 rounds?

If I want to make consistent, accurate rounds I'm guessing I should stick with 223 cases and not mix them with 5.56.

Thinking of getting 1000 rounds of Federal bulk 223 and save the cases then use those to reload with a better bullet down the line as I get the equipment to do it.

Or just buy some bulk 223 empty cases and start with those.

[SoCalGoldenBearsHPRClub]

Reloading dies, manuals, and bullets are based on .223 SAAMI spec.

If you have a WOA barrel, you might as well reload with match-grade bullets/components so that you can reap the benefits of the barrel.

[Rgarbarino]

Reloading dies, manuals, and bullets are based on .223 SAAMI spec.

If you have a WOA barrel, you might as well reload with match-grade bullets/components so that you can reap the benefits of the barrel.

That's the plan.

[milotrain]

I get that Milotrain but the question is will there be a case pressure difference between the 5.56 case and the 223 case? I'm assuming yes from what little I know about reloading right now based on the volume.

Only if in your specific case your 5.56 cases have lower capacity than your .223 cases. This is not consistent or guaranteed.

I'm guessing in the reloading books, which I don't have yet, there will be different recipes for 223 and 5.56 rounds?

Generally not. Some books do, most do not.

If I want to make consistent, accurate rounds I'm guessing I should stick with 223 cases and not mix them with 5.56.

If you want consistency you stick with one lot of one brand of 223 cases. Most people are happy with a single brand. A good middle ground is lake city of a specific year.

Thinking of getting 1000 rounds of Federal bulk 223 and save the cases then use those to reload with a better bullet down the line as I get the equipment to do it.

Or just buy some bulk 223 empty cases and start with those.

I would start with commercial Winchester cases or prepared LC cases. FC cases are not the best. Winchester white box ammo will give you better brass than Federal bulk unless the federal is LC cases. PMC is actually quite decent and easy to size, you could comfortably start with that.

[wpage]

Use the same grain data on loads and same primers and projectiles. Results should be very similar.

[Rgarbarino]

Thanks for the info guys.