223 pistol load data

[f100rat]

I just finished my AR pistol with a Olympic arms 6 1/2'' barrel that I got from another calguner, Hic28. Thanks Hic it shoots great. My question is has any one developed any lighter loads more suited for a short barrel and a range a lot shorter than 100 yards? Firing standard loads really throws out a lot of fire and noise. Thanks.

[NoNOS67]

Firing standard loads really throws out a lot of fire and noise.

And that's a problem because...?

[CCrawford]

You might review this spreadsheet and look for "SSP" or "H" going across row 210.

Have fun and good luck,
Criss

[jdmstuff]

What's wrong with the fire and noise? If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a Noveske KX-3 to put on the end of your barrel.

[Divernhunter]

And you were expecting what with a short barrel and a rifle cartridge???

[f100rat]

No, I like the fire and noise! It's just that I like to shoot a lot and being that I reload everything, I would like to play around with some different loads. I could just start cutting back on the powder, but I thought some one might have already did and had some data on accuracy and speed, maybe like, subsonic?

[mark501w]

Why don't you try some cast bullet loads & substitute jacketed bullets for cast? They use pistol powders & run about 2000fps max. The problem you have with small amounts of powder you have to hold the powder against the primer in the larger case.

[rcschummers]

Why don't you try some cast bullet loads & substitute jacketed bullets for cast? They use pistol powders & run about 2000fps max. The problem you have with small amounts of powder you have to hold the powder against the primer in the larger case.

This^^
There is load data for cast .223 that takes "unique" pistol powder, check out he lyman #49. The problem with backing off the powder for you normal stuff is cycling, reliability and squibs.

[mark501w]

I don't know how these AR platforms work ,hand cycled or gas operated but, your right cycleing could be a problem.

[Pacilander]

Firing standard loads really throws out a lot of fire and noise. Thanks.

If flames and noise are an issue you need to change to a 10 1/2" or 11" barrel. Honestly if you play with the load too much on a shorter barrel like the 7" and 6 1/2" barrels you will have cycling problems and failures to feed like stated above. If you do a search in the forums for ar pistol you will see the discussions on barrel length and all the pros and cons. I believe the only pro I have found on my 7" ar pistol is the fireball and noise! I have chrono it and the short barrel really has an impact. My 10 1/2" on the other hand is flawless and chronos close to my 16".

If you search the AR15.com forums there is a lot of discussions on loads for the 7" and shorter barrels to try and get velocity higher but I haven't seen a lot of discussions to lower the load since the velocity (FPS) is already starting so low because of the shorter barrel.

[f100rat]

This is the kind of info I'm looking for. I have googled ar 223 pistol loads and found some use of Bluedot and also people experimenting with Lil' gun, but I'm not brave enough just to go out on that limb yet. I have a 10 1/2'' barrel, but wanted to play with the short package to see what it would do. I really appreciate all the input.