Questions about reloading 5.56 *UPDATED*

[devster55]

Ok so I am no stranger to reloading 223REM ammo but I am new to the AR platform. I am looking to load some 55GR FMJBT or 55GR SP ammo. So is it ok to use FL dies or do I need SB dies. I am looking to load 25.7GR of BL-C2 or 25.9 of CFE-223 under these using Tula SRP. I have 2 50CAL ammo cans full of brass and do not wish to have to pull any rounds down because they don't cycle in my gun. The gun is a Adams arms gas piston system. Thanks

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[BenHa]

o-o? Since you are no stranger to reloading you know the drill is to bust out your manual check to see what the 'recommended' powder range is. Then you know that the next step is to work up a load for your gun ..... But FL die would work.

[BigBronco]

Should you have a problem getting you brass to chamber with the FL dies then switch to SB dies. IF there is no problem then you are good to go.

[kurac]

I use FL match dies for all my .223 loads, no problems yet. I think as long as you actually full length size and bump the shoulder back a few thousandths, you should be fine. Work up your loads with the powders you mentions, once you find one that works well go to town.

[joelogic]

Just a wording correction. There are no 5.56 dies so you are not loading 5.56. You can try and recreate 5.56 pressures but you are still loading .223.

[waxer]

Might be a good idea to get a .223 case gauge as well while you're at it.

[Exodus343]

Should you have a problem getting you brass to chamber with the FL dies then switch to SB dies. IF there is no problem then you are good to go.

this

/thread


and yes check your manual
or hodgdon online

[bigedp51]

Just a wording correction. There are no 5.56 dies so you are not loading 5.56. You can try and recreate 5.56 pressures but you are still loading .223.

For all practical purposes they are one in the same cartridge and loaded to the same chamber pressures.



The maximum rated chamber pressure for the .223 "AND" 5.56x45 NATO are exactly the same, the difference is how the pressures are measured.

The following pressures listed below for the .223 and 5.56 are the same exact pressures.

52,000 CUP or copper units pressure SAAMI
55,000 PSI or transducer method SAAMI
62,000 PSI or transducer method CIP European standard pressure measured at case mouth and NATO EPVAT testing method.

Below is the milspec standards for commercial contract 5.56 ammunition made for the military.



The actual difference between the two cartridges is the throat length of the chambers.



The throat lengths can cause the pressures to vary and the SAAMI interchangeability warning came out in 1979 with the introduction of the M855 round and the longer throats on the M16 rifles.

Below, if you fire a M855 cartridge in a short throated .223 chamber the pressure will be approximately 4,000 psi higher than the rated pressure of 55,000 psi.



I have a bolt action factory Savage .223 rifle with a 1 in 9 twist and the throat is longer than my two AR15 rifles. This Savage rifle does not have the "voluntary recommended" chamber throat.

HOLLIGER ON .223/5.56 CHAMBERS (see freebore lengths at link below)

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

[waawaaweenie]

and don't load up too many before you check for feed and function

you actually need to fire one and make sure the bolt is fully in battery.

it may seem like it chambered but the firing pin may not hit the primer if it isn't all the way chambered, not like running the bolt in on a bolt gun and seeing how tight or easy it chambers

[devster55]

Well I was just concerned about the dies and yes I know to load a few and test them.

[bigdawg86]

FYI I run an Adams Arms 16" upper and it has cycled everything from starting charge... But I run 28g BL-(C) 2 under a 55g FMJBT for just shy of 3000fps

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[devster55]

FYI I run an Adams Arms 16" upper and it has cycled everything from starting charge... But I run 28g BL-(C) 2 under a 55g FMJBT for just shy of 3000fps

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

thank you very much.

[devster55]

Ok so im loading up some ammo right now. I have a few questions about max load tho. For 223 rem the max load
CFE 223 is 27.4 from hornady
CFE 223 is 27.8 from hodgdon
CFE 223 is 28 from nosler.
Now for 5.56 from my hornady manual the max load is 27.5 but that's for a lead free bullet and their max load for a 60gr bullet is 27.7.
I have 100 rounds loaded from my old bolt 223 that are 55gr nosler varmit ballistic tip boat tails loaded with 27.8 of CFE 223. Do you think it will be safe to shoot. I am working up a load anyways but would like to shoot them. Let me know what you think. Thanks

[devster55]

I will be out at the range tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes.

[devster55]

Well I shot them today and my loads all shot great. The 55 gr around 3100 fps shot the best. After firing about 200 rounds through it today I cannot believe how clean the CFE 223 powder burns. The barrel is bright and shiny and not one bit of unburnt powder.