Double check me please...

[ibanezfoo]

I am reloading .223 to shoot out of my AR. I am using LC brass I got from Top Brass. I'm not driving tacks or anything, just plinking with friends. I haven't fired any yet, but this is what I've been loading:

Brass: LC @ 1.760 (500 cases from Top Brass)
Bullet: Hornady 55 gr. FMJBT (got em cheap on ebay)
Powder: BL-C(2) @ 25 gr. (the Lee powder scoop included with my dies holds exactly 25 gr. when level with the top with this particular bottle of BL-C(2), pretty cool and faster, more accurate, and less messy than the Lee powder dispenser. I still weigh it every 5-6 rounds though)
Primer: CCI 400
Cartridge Length: 2.22 (that is with the bullet seated right in the middle of the line)

I've only made 100 rounds so far. Figured I'd ask someone to double check before I make anymore.

Thanks!

-Bryan

[Jicko]

2 things:

1) Case gauge your finished rounds.

2) Work within known min/max of your particular powder.

Everything else, looks good.

[Fjold]

Hodgon saysthe OAL is dead on at 2.22" so that looks good, the powder charge is actually lower than Hodgdon's recommended mimimum which means that you might run into cycling problems in the AR because of the weak charge.

Check out www.hodgdon.com and check their load data for the 223. They say that with BL-c(2) the minimum charge is 25.5 grains and the maximum is 27.5 grains with a 55 grain bullet.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

BLC-2 is the same as H335 and I load 25gr of H335 with a 62gr SS109 bullet and get 3050fps average.. 25,0 of BLC-2 and a 55gr FMJ will definately go faster... just to be sure.. it would be great if you could crono, say 10 rnds, and see....

[ibanezfoo]

2 things:

1) Case gauge your finished rounds.

2) Work within known min/max of your particular powder.

Everything else, looks good.

Where can I find a decent but not too expensive case guage? I've just been using digital calipers...

-Bryan

[ibanezfoo]

Hodgon saysthe OAL is dead on at 2.22" so that looks good, the powder charge is actually lower than Hodgdon's recommended mimimum which means that you might run into cycling problems in the AR because of the weak charge.

Check out www.hodgdon.com and check their load data for the 223. They say that with BL-c(2) the minimum charge is 25.5 grains and the maximum is 27.5 grains with a 55 grain bullet.

The few books I have say the min is 24.? with the max at 27.?. I bumped the min just a tad to make sure I don't have any cycling problems.... shoot I hope its not too little...

-Bryan

[ibanezfoo]

BLC-2 is the same as H335 and I load 25gr of H335 with a 62gr SS109 bullet and get 3050fps average.. 25,0 of BLC-2 and a 55gr FMJ will definately go faster... just to be sure.. it would be great if you could crono, say 10 rnds, and see....

Need to get me a chrono too it looks like! Been needing one for my archery anyway...

-Bryan

[ibanezfoo]

Thanks for the input guys! Looks like I'm headed in the right direction. Think I'll stick with these 100 rounds and make sure they are up to snuff in my rifle before making anymore. Reloading sure is tedious... and fun at the same time. Its cool to make my own cartridge and compare it next to a factory cartridge and not notice much difference Of course, the proof is in the pudding and we'll see how they stack up at the range!

-Bryan

[50BMGBOB]

Its cool to make my own cartridge and compare it next to a factory cartridge and not notice much difference.

-Bryan

Even better when your's out shoots the factory!

[ibanezfoo]

Well I got a chance to shoot the rounds I made today. Man they worked great! Very consistant and cycled reliably in my AR and Mini14. Fired about 60 of the 100 I made. Now I'm going to finish off the other 400 I have components for. Thanks for your input guys!

-Bryan