223/556 plinking load suggestions

[BigJ]

Hey guys.

Based on components that are available today, what do you suggest for (1) primers, (2) powder and (3) bullets to build your basic plinking round? If you don't mind, please provide a link to where you'd get each, too.

Thanks!

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Hey guys.

Based on components that are available today, what do you suggest for (1) primers, (2) powder and (3) bullets to build your basic plinking round? If you don't mind, please provide a link to where you'd get each, too.

Thanks!

What's your rifle type, and barrel twist rate? It really just depends...

[stphnman20]

Just for plinking, 55gr, 25gr H335 with CCI#41.

[huckberry668]

Just for plinking, 55gr, 25gr H335 with CCI#41.

This is the same exact load for my plinking round using Hornday 55gr FMJBT. Except I use Fed SR primer. I sized my brass to the Go Gauge ~ .002" under.

[wild_weasel]

I just started reloading for the 223/5.56 last year after buying S&W Sports for my son and I. It is not very hard to develop loads that are more accurate than factory ammunition I have discovered.
BRASS
I use once fired NATO, Remington, or Winchester brass trimmed to a uniform length.
POWDER
Winchester 748 and Hodgdon H335 are both good powders to start with since they have been around since the late 60’s and you’ll find loads of data in the manuals. Hodgdon CFE223 are also good a powder to start with. If are using 50gr bullets like the Hornady VMax, H322 is also a good powder but it builds up pressure fast with 55gr bullets. While H335 is close to if not the same powder used by the military to load the original M193 55gr FMJ round it has a lot of muzzle blast and flash in 16" barreled AR15's on the other hand W748 has little if any flash in carbines.
PRIMERS
CCI #41 are mil spec primers intended for use with the above ball powders and have a hard cup with prevent slam fires with the free floating firing pin of the AR15. Winchester small rifle primers (WSR) also work well with the above ball powders. I have also had good performance, no hang or mis fires, using standard Tula 223 primers with H332, just be sure to firmly seat the primer anvils to the bottom of the primer cups.
BULLETS
If you shop around on line stick with Hornady 55gr .224 FMJ-BT bullets, these are the standard by which all other 55gr FMJ bullets are measured against. I have also have had good accuracy using the discounted blemished 55gr FMJs Midway sometimes offers.
RELOADING DIES
I started with RCBS AR Series 223/5.56 dies and added a Lee Factory Crimp die. Things work out better if you seat and crimp bullets in separate steps, for me at least.
Hope you find these notes useful.
Cheers,
W-W

[tahoetarga]

I've been using once-fired brass (various manufacturers) trimmed to uniform length, CCI #41 primers, WC844 (25.0 grains) and Xtreme 55 grain FMJBT projectiles for my plinkers. Zero problems.

[BigJ]

What's your rifle type, and barrel twist rate? It really just depends...

223 Wylde chamber with a 16" 1:8 twist barrel.

Thanks guys!

[wxl]

CCI #400 SRP (1000 COUNT) $26.42 $.026/rd
21.5 g IMR 4198 SMOKELESS POWDER 8 LBS $147.20 $.06/rd
Hornady 55GR FMJBT W/CAN $457.15/6000 $.076/rd

Total cost = $.16/rd + shipping and hazmat

At Midsouth Shooters Supply, primers and bullets in stock. Powder can be backordered.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/deptsearch1x.asp?dept=%52%65%6C%6F%61%64%69%6E%67