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View Full Version : Taking the plunge: Reloading 223/5.56


titanse05
11-15-2012, 02:25 PM
A bit of background:
I have been reloading 45ACP since 2010 and have reloaded 4k rounds on my Hornady Lock-N-Load Progressive Press so far.

Reloading 223/5.56:
I had previously gone back and forth with the idea of reloading for my ARs and with the current panic buying, lack of availability of reasonably priced factory rounds, possibility of future taxation and rising prices finally pushed me over the edge. I placed an order on Midwayusa yesterday and the order consisted of the following:

Dies:
Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension 2-Die Set 223 Remington
Hornady Microjust Seating Stem
Lee Factory Crimp Die 223 Remington
Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushings Package of 3

Shellplate:
Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Press Shellplate #16

Case trimming/preperation:
Little Crow Gunworks Worlds Finest Trimmer 223 Remington
Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool
Hornady Unique Case Lube 4 oz Tub
Imperial Dry Neck Lube Convenience Pak

Case gage:
L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gage 223 Remington

Ammo box:
MTM Flip-Top Ammo Box 223 Remington 100-Round Plastic

I believe that these items in addition to what I already have should allow me to reload the 223 Rem. I have already started tumbling the brass that I had saved up since I got my first AR and I am looking forward to processing some brass and getting them ready to reload once I get the money for the bullets, powder and primers.

Bullets:
I have found thru my internet research that a popular bullet are the Hornady offerings such as this one: Hornady 55gr FMJBT (http://www.hornady.com/store/22-Cal-.224-55-gr-FMJ-BT-with-cannelure-2267B/). I would like to get the best per/bullet price and the bulk 6000 piece case is the cheapest I could find at about $0.08 each.

Another nice Hornady bullet that I will probably try is the Hornady Zmax (http://www.hornady.com/store/22-Cal-.224-55-gr-Z-MAX-with-Cannelure/) which I have found at a couple of places for about $0.12 each (500 piece box).

Powder:
Hodgdon H335 ($128/8LB)
Ramshot TAC ($128/8LB)
Milsurp W844 ($85/8LB)

Primers:
CCI #400s ($26/1000)
Wolf SPRM ($14/1000)

The point of this thread is to share my experience with taking the plunge into reloading my first rifle caliber and to see if anyone here is already reloading it and would want to share tips/tricks and favorite load combos. I will be sure to share pictures along the way.

I also wanted to share this website as it has a lot of good info on it: http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.html

DaFadda
11-15-2012, 03:03 PM
Titan, I'm really interested in watching this thread as you explore the 5.56/.223 reloading process. I reload for the round, and have chosen to focus more on reloading "frangible" bullets for indoor range use up here in Connecticut. My favorite powder has been Hodgden's Varget, but that's just my opinion.

55 grain FMJ from MontanaGoldBullet.com is $295 / case of 3500. .084 cents per piece. Excellent quality in the .45 JHP and .357 JHP that I've purchased in the past, you might want to try them out with 1000 to start. Or call them and they should send a sample (usually about 10 rounds or so).

Good luck, it'll be fun to watch. And thank you for getting a gage to check your rounds. You wouldn't believe how many people think that step is unnecessary.

DaFadda

titanse05
11-15-2012, 04:03 PM
55 grain FMJ from MontanaGoldBullet.com is $295 / case of 3500. .084 cents per piece. Excellent quality in the .45 JHP and .357 JHP that I've purchased in the past, you might want to try them out with 1000 to start. Or call them and they should send a sample (usually about 10 rounds or so). They are on my list too but after considering shipping that they would be more like $0.09 each. They are a good option though as I have also heard good things about them.

Good luck, it'll be fun to watch. And thank you for getting a gage to check your rounds. You wouldn't believe how many people think that step is unnecessary.

DaFaddaI would believe it.....lol. I think that since I'm reloading for a auto loader that it is critical to have a case gauge. Nothing quite like a visual check.

Boats
11-15-2012, 05:31 PM
I would believe it.....lol. I think that since I'm reloading for a auto loader that it is critical to have a case gauge. Nothing quite like a visual check.

I bought mine a week ago!

Boats

titanse05
11-16-2012, 04:51 PM
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/2012-11-16_16-09-12_468-1_zpsew60dhum.jpg
Here is the equipment that I received from Midwayusa today. Now I just have to disassemble and clean up the dies so I can start setting up the press to get the cases ready to receive the primer, powder and bullets.

DaFadda
11-16-2012, 05:38 PM
Titan... MontanaGold ships free. just letting you know.
DaFadda

douglas_knott
11-16-2012, 07:42 PM
I use h335. I don't crimp my .223 though.

titanse05
11-16-2012, 07:43 PM
Titan... MontanaGold ships free. just letting you know.
DaFadda

Oh.... didn't see that. That's good to know. They are out of stock at the moment however.

titanse05
11-19-2012, 11:58 AM
I came across a Surplus Military Powder (SMP 844) today that offers a pretty significant saving over H335 and they are reportedly essentialy the same thing. Anyone used it?

titanse05
11-20-2012, 12:47 PM
I use h335. I don't crimp my .223 though.How many grains and what projectile?

titanse05
11-27-2012, 11:06 AM
Placed an order along with my cousin with Wideners this morning. I will have 10k Wolf 223SRP, 8lb of Ramshot TAC and 1k Hornady 55gr Zmax bullets coming my way. Decided on the TAC because it was in stock and I just don't trust the pulldown powders shelf life. The Zmax bullets are priced well and I just couldn't resist adding them to the cart.

After Christmas I hope to be able to purchase some 55gr FMJ to try out but the CC will need paid off before another purchase.

titanse05
12-03-2012, 04:52 PM
Well I have come to the conclusion that the Frankford Arsenal vibratory tumbler that I have had since I started reloading is adequate for cleaning pistol cartridges but fails miserably at cleaning 223/5.56 brass to my liking. So during some internet searching I came across stainless steel media wet tumbling and the stunning results post tumbling. This led me to a bunch of homemade tumblers and being a DIY kind of person......I'm building my own tumbler.

I will create a seperate how-to thread sharing the components that I bought and how I put mine together. Only thing that I need to complete the project is a motor so if anyone has one laying around that they would sell me cheap, I would greatly appreciate it. Something similiar in spec to this Dayton motor is what I need. Dayton 1/4HP 1725 RPM Motor (http://www.globalonesupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=G1L%2D3k771&CartID=1)

NAMVET72
12-03-2012, 05:02 PM
Try some corn cob and some rice, and tumble and let go for about 8 hours...........................


Clyde

titanse05
12-07-2012, 12:38 PM
Here is my progress on my home made tumbler so far. Just need myself a motor and I'll be wet tumbling with stainless steel media.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/06/uma5ysyv.jpg

titanse05
12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
Montana Gold has there 55gr back in stock. I hope to place a order before the end of the year just got to get caught up on the ole credit card.

Still waiting on the Wideners order......hoping that it ships out this week and have it in hand by next.

Boats
12-11-2012, 10:56 AM
Montana Gold has there 55gr back in stock. I hope to place a order before the end of the year just got to get caught up on the ole credit card.

Still waiting on the Wideners order......hoping that it ships out this week and have it in hand by next.

I wish I had the $$ to spend. But I just bought a bunch of other stuff and have Christmas to worry about for the kids and the extended family.

If they still have them in stock after the Holidays, I'll be buying some.

Boats

titanse05
12-23-2012, 08:06 PM
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/24/tyqyzysy.jpg

The Wideners order came last Friday and here is my part of it. Was going to order some FMJBT bullets from Montana Gold but of course they are sold out till next year. Hopefully they will get more made and up for sale at the same price as before.

titanse05
01-04-2013, 07:56 AM
Well I got a motor thanks to Mark (The Earl o Sammich) and I did manage to get it hooked up and mounted yesterday. A how-to with pictures will be coming in a seperate thread.

Still looking for some 55gr FMJ bullets and everywhere is sold out. MontanaGold told me that they should have them back in stock on 1-14-13 so I will be ordering a case if they do indeed show up on the site.

titanse05
01-04-2013, 11:26 PM
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/2013-01-06_16-21-40_293.jpg

Tumbler motor is wired and mounted.

ronpaul50
01-04-2013, 11:47 PM
Nice job! Schedule 80 PVC?

titanse05
01-05-2013, 10:53 AM
Nice job! Schedule 80 PVC?
Yes. It was the shortest section of 6" PVC at Lowes. I have enough left to make 2 more smaller drums like mine.

titanse05
01-15-2013, 08:27 AM
Still on the hunt for 55gr FMJ so I can start to reload some of these rounds. Wanted to save the Zmax initially till I had some rounds under my belt.

Here are the results of my first two batches of stainless steel wet tumbling. Note that I deprimed the brass prior to tumbling so the primer pockets got cleaned.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/2013-01-06_16-38-37_35.jpg

titanse05
01-25-2013, 10:56 AM
Scored 1k more of the Hornady Zmax 55 gr bullets from Midwayusa this week so I have a nice collection of poly tip bullets. Now if I could only find some FMJ in stock at a fair price I would be set. I'm hoping to grab a case of MontanaGold FMJ when they get some back in stock next month.

titanse05
01-31-2014, 02:01 PM
I scored some TAC from a local distributor today. Got enough to reload 10k now. Only need a couple thousand more bullets.

Also need to put my first batch together. Brass is all prepped just need to set my LNL for 223/556.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

Riverpigusmc
01-31-2014, 02:40 PM
yeehaw

TLE2
01-31-2014, 07:26 PM
PTB, Please make this sticky for a while. I'm interested in the process.

DrHenley
02-01-2014, 01:35 PM
Right now is a good time to start reloading .223 and stock up on reloading bullets. When I started reloading .223, inexpensive 55 grain bullets were impossible to find. I finally found a place that let me backorder some and got them 8 months later.

MidwayUSA has all sorts of 22 caliber bullets in stock at the moment. No telling how long that situation will last...get 'em while you can!

Now if they would only get some 22LR in stock :(

titanse05
02-01-2014, 08:50 PM
Xtreme Bullets make some nice 55gr FMJBT. I find them comparable to Hornady's 55gr FMJBT offering.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

titanse05
02-03-2014, 01:35 PM
I figured that I would post an update on my progress to reloading 223/556.

I didn't have anytime to commit to reloading last year and only ended up reloading 200 rounds of 45ACP on my LNL in Spring '13. I also only got out to shoot half a dozen times so I just used some of my stash to fuel those range trips. But now, I'm getting back into it and have already reloaded 400 rounds of 45 ACP this year and will be making some more to pad the stash in preparation of setting my LNL up for 223/556.

As far as components go, I had been searching for more Ramshot TAC and bullets throughout last year and both were unobtainable. However, bullets started to come back in stock towards the end of the year and I added to my stash with some Hornady and Xtreme Bullets 55gr FMJBT bullets as well as 75gr HPBT. As I stated a couple posts earlier I hit the TAC lottery last week so now I'm comfortable with what I have on hand to start reloading. After I get some more bullets I will have my stash to the point that I would have enough components to reload 10k rounds.

Powder: Ramshot TAC ($128/8LB)
Primers: Wolf SPRM ($14/1000) Now $23.50 at Wideners
Bullets: Hornady Zmax 55gr, Hornady 55gr FMJBT, Xtreme Bullets 55gr FMJBT and 75gr HPBT from Wideners

I did get all of my brass sorted, deprimed and stainless media tumbled over the course of last year. Now the next step for me is to resize, trim and remove any primer crimps.

After that I just need to setup my LNL press to process the 223/556. I have been considering purchasing a separate LNL Powder Measure to dedicate to rifle rounds.....but I'm still undecided. Will provide additional updates when time permits me.