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Posted: 1/11/2014 9:28:41 AM EDT
looking for some input on reloading 223 ar15 ammo,i purchased powder,primers & bullets from local gun shop (h335 powder,hornady 55gr. sp & # 41 primers) looking for best specs for powder usage for shooting 100 - 200 yards. been reading a lot of posts on here and several ideas but still unsure what to use.any input would be great.TY
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| I dont shoot that powder or bullet. But I would start with a reloading handbook know your min and max load. When refining a load I usually take three loads between min and max load five each and go from there. Every barrel shoots different and likes different loads. It is very important to do homework on reloading. And ALWAYS check someone's load info in the reloaders handbook never take someone else's load as with in spec I've seen guns go boom for this reason. Hope that helps. |
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Quoted: looking for some input on reloading 223 ar15 ammo,i purchased powder,primers & bullets from local gun shop (h335 powder,hornady 55gr. sp & # 41 primers) looking for best specs for powder usage for shooting 100 - 200 yards. been reading a lot of posts on here and several ideas but still unsure what to use.any input would be great.TY Were you handed a gun and ammo with no instruction on safety and aiming? Start by reading all of the info at the top of the page, then get a couple of books. ABC's of Reloading, will teach you the tools, techniques and the components of reloading. Lyman 49 reloading manual, will give you loading data to make safe reloads. Read ABC's before buying reloading tools.
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Hey David, first off, listen to the other posters, they know of what they are writing about. But please don't run away or get discouraged, you have a dream and a task, now you have to do the learning, don't go nuts without the study and reading, learning experience you will need to be safe in the reloading hobby part of our sport.
Lets start with a few more questions and answers from you and some of us that are willing to get you going in the safe direction. First thing, what press do you have, or have in mind to purchase. How much money do you plan on spending on this press and all the other tools you will need to reload for the AR machine. The single stage lee with dies was about 75$ not counting the other materials and tools. the Lee 4 stage turret was about 150 as a set, I don't use all the extra stuff. I use an electronic scale for my powder measuring. The Dillon 650 is over 1500$ all setup up with all the bells and whistles. In one caliber. These are older prices also. I use three different presses for three different types of loading processes and tasks. A single stage Lee press, that I started with, and I build in batches of 120 as my loading blocks hole 40 rounds each on the bigger rifle calibers. But they will hold 80 each of the small .223 brass. Using a single stage press, you change dies for each stage of loading, this being deprimming and sizing. then loading the powder with an RCBS hopper leaving the cases in the bullet blocks. Then into the second stage with the seating die, to my desired length. The into the third stage where I add a slight taper crimp that is common for any auto loading type rifle. I don't crimp for my bolt action rifles. I can build the 120 rounds in about an hour, not counting my cleaning and case prep done the day before. This includes getting rid of the military crimps on ex mil brass, I use a Dillon 600 swage remover tool for that chore. Then an RCBS case cutter / trimmer, and a case tool for chamfering the case mouths after trimming to length if needed. My next press is the Lee turret unit, I all the same steps as above but I don't have to change the dies for each function, just turn the turret to the required die. The biggest and most expensive monster is my Dillon 650, this is an awesome machine, but it costs allot to do different calibers, as the caliber change kit costs more that the other two loaders alone. Example, at typical caliber change would be about 250-300$ last time I checked. Mine is only used for match 45ACP. I can build 500-800 rounds per hour if I want to. The only thing that slows you down is filling the powder, primmer and case hopper over and over. Then dumping the finished round box so you can keep going. Since we don't know if you already have a press, and may be a reloading rookie, all we can do is provide some gentle pushes in the right direction. Reloading takes a very good attention to detail; you can really get hurt if you goof. Check out all the reloading topics in this forum and many others. Check out the you-tube video's out there. Learn and do it right. Start light on the loads, don't go for the hottest round you can build, as it's really just a waste of powder and closer to danger than you really want to be. And fast and hot is not always the best or most accurate. Ask more questions, but as already mentioned, study, Google the subject, learn, and again, go slow and settle down and it can be a rewarding add on hobby to the shooting hobby. Oh and you can decide on what brand, color or type, we all use different brands, and some will drive you nuts with opinions. It's your money, your choice. I frequent Midway USA, Cabela's, Bass pro shop, Brownells, and many others for for reloading tools. |
| Here is a good thread for new reloaders to read, http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/263380_Everything_You_Wanted_to_Know_About_Reloading_But_Was_Afraid_to_Ask.html |
thanks for your input really helps,i do have a press and all tools already,it is a lee turret press with dies for 223,also have digital scale & have a friend that is letting me barrow some reloading books to read.i am not one of those faster is better just want to learn to reload for hobby because have lots of rifles & handgun calibers i can reload.just ordered new case tumbler,case prep kit & case trimmer,next will be all dies i need for rest of guns.thanks again never want to blow up gun from something stupid i did.
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Quoted: thanks for your input really helps,i do have a press and all tools already,it is a lee turret press with dies for 223,also have digital scale & have a friend that is letting me barrow some reloading books to read.i am not one of those faster is better just want to learn to reload for hobby because have lots of rifles & handgun calibers i can reload.just ordered new case tumbler,case prep kit & case trimmer,next will be all dies i need for rest of guns.thanks again never want to blow up gun from something stupid i did. |
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Lots of good information from the fellas especially advice. I too have been researching reloading 556 based on my rifles specifications and usage. I checked out the Dillon 650 and watched a few vids and that things a monster. Not sure if its justifiable for me yet so i'm still researching and collecting more brass in the meantime. I'm starting to draw a love for reloading as i read more it's kinda scary because i have OCD and ADHD so i can only imagine cranking a bunch of reloads out
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Quoted: Lots of good information from the fellas especially advice. I too have been researching reloading 556 based on my rifles specifications and usage. I checked out the Dillon 650 and watched a few vids and that things a monster. Not sure if its justifiable for me yet so i'm still researching and collecting more brass in the meantime. I'm starting to draw a love for reloading as i read more it's kinda scary because i have OCD and ADHD so i can only imagine cranking a bunch of reloads out If you can read and follow instructions, you will do fine. A little OCD is a good thing in reloading. Don't forget to read the tacked info at the top of the page. Especially the lists of required equipment to reload. Do some research, then come back and we can answer your questions and help you get started. |
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