Reloading 223 Rem with H322

[wild_weasel]

I have been having a great time reloading for the mid-length AR15 I recently build. With 16” carbine AR’s being so popular I’ve been looking for reloading data in the pistol sections of my reloading manuals; I believe this 14" pistol data is more representative of the velocities we can expect than the 20/24" data in the rifle section. After looking over the data my thought was that H322 has a lot to offer in the shorter barreled AR, so I picked up a pound this weekend and loaded 22.5gr (using rotor #25 for my RCBS Little Dandy) of H332, Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT, and a Tula 223 primer, in once fired RP 223 brass, then headed off to Field Time in Stanton to try them out. All 50 rounds functioned 100% and delivered respectable accuracy with minimal if any muzzle flash. My rifle is sighted in using Federal American Eagle 223 to shoot into a 4cm bullseye @ 25 yards, the goal of my reloads is to be in the same 4cm bullseye.

American Eagle 223 = 50 cents per round

22.5gr of H322 = 10 cents
1 TULA 223 primer = 2.3 cents
1 Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT = 8.9 Cents
Sorted mixed brass = free
TOTAL per reload = 21.2 cents per round or half the cost of factory ammo

25 Shot Group @ 25 yards

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

25 meters?

[koehn,jim]

I would say that is very respectable. I use a lot of h322 and h335 when they are available. I am going to the range with some loads with cfe 223 to try them out.

[wild_weasel]

Looking at the Hornady data H322 looks like a winner with the 50gr V-Max bullet. However, they are a bit pricey for plinking ammo.

[mark501w]

I use it in my 68&69 loads

[wild_weasel]

I would say that is very respectable. I use a lot of h322 and h335 when they are available. I am going to the range with some loads with cfe 223 to try them out.

I'm finishing up an 8# jug of CFE223 and am happy with how it performed, accurate and low flash.

[duggan]

I like the H332, works great for the 5.56 and my 6.8.

[jimncass6980]

Hello all,
My son loaned me his RCBS rock chucker while is doing an Air Force tour in Korea. I want to start reloading 5.56 ammo. I have done a little research, but am having a hard time making heads or tails from the data in the Speers book. Anyway, any advice on type of bullets, powder, primers, etc.. For a guy shooting an ar15 with a 5.56/.223, 18", 1/8 twist barrel?