If one is reloading for the AR-15 does he reload any other way than for a bolt action .223?...to different pressures?

The only thing that I do differently is full length resize everytime for feeding reliability. Some people I know insist on small base dies but I haven't had an issue with that yet.

If you have a 5.56 chamber it is cut more generously than the 223 chamber and has a longer throat so pressures with the same load should be lower than in a 223 chamber.

For the ARs and an M16 I use a Dillon 1050 with a full length sizer and a taper crimp die. I load for the longest barrel (20") I have and accept the velocity loss on the 11.5" and 14" barrels (rather than risk firing a too hot round in a longer barrel).

I toss the cases after 6 reloads whether or not they need it. Lowers are more expensive than brass.

Have had no problems in many, many rounds fired.

nope

I haven't had any problems loading for AR15, Don't see any difference than loading for a bolt action, and I stick to the full size only and usually stay around manual oal recommendations to make sure they feed good and fit clips and still have had some accurate loads and always feeds great.

I have heard some people comment they have necked sized for theirs with success but doubt I would ever go there

2.260" is the MAX OAL the MAG will accept. The chamber will handle more. I try to stay around 2.255"

If loading soft points instead of FMJ, I've found that shortening the OAL a bit helps feeding. Of course M4 type feed ramps help there as well.

thanks for the feedback folks.....just busting more myths!

My reloading book for 223, one of the small ones thats is supposed to be complete for one caliber, list different loads for AR15 and Bolt rifles for Sierra bullets but only slightly different, not enough to worry about from what I can tell.

I just bought an AR upper with 24" stainless bull barrel.

I have been shooting it single shot with 2.405" 60 gr TAP moly bullet with 26 gr compressed bulk IMR4895 that acts more like H322.

The velocity is 3144 and the 5 shot groups at 100y average 1.5".

The throat is way out on this one, but I can reach it. My Bushmaster V-match has a throat I have never been able to reach even with 75 gr bullets.

The Bushmaster lighter barrel and longer throat is still more accurate.

One more trip to the range for the bull barrel with Vmax, and if it can't average 1", it is not getting another chance.

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
...One more trip to the range for the bull barrel with Vmax, and if it can't average 1", it is not getting another chance.

Sounds serious. Always nice to have some Trading Bait though.

A bit off topic, but I just added a new 10.5" barrel to my FA gun. I think I'm gonna like it!
I don't reload this particular caliber, but would you say that I should use the same factory load for it (I use XM193) that I use with longer barrels?

SHOULD be Ok using XM193. May have to work on the timing a bit. I had to install one of those "pigtail" gas tubes to get a friends SBR running 100%.
It wasn't FA, but timing should be the same either/or...

quote:

A bit off topic, but I just added a new 10.5" barrel to my FA gun. I think I'm gonna like it!
I don't reload this particular caliber, but would you say that I should use the same factory load for it (I use XM193) that I use with longer barrels?

Vic

I agree with Charlie; stick with the 55 grain bullets to keep the back pressure and timing in the ball park. Go over on AR15.com and look around. Pick up some different weight buffer assemblies and different buffer springs to try. If you can slow down the cyclic rate it will function better. Of course, beef up the extractor tension with a heavier spring, insert and bunna rubber "donut" of some type or the other.

Some guys really like the Krinkoff style flash suppressor that John Noveske makes. I haven't tried one yet. I have tried my suppressors on a couply 11.5" uppers that I put together for local LEO's. That made things a lot more pleasurable.

The DPMS tungsten carbine buffer and the ASMI chrome silicon springs might be a good place to start.

M-4 feed ramps for sure.

As Charlie notes above, the pigtail will work when all else fails. Have FUN!!

quote:

If one is reloading for the AR-15 does he reload any other way than for a bolt action .223?...to different pressures?

IF your rifle has a 5.56mm chamber (it should say on the barrel), and especially if it has a chrome lined bore (just because it handles the hotter flame temperature better for longer), you can bump your pressures up into the NATO realm. No real benefit day to day, but no big harm either.

One other little tweak - I set the shoulder back on ammo that is going through a gas gun more than for a bolt action. That is just to ensure easy cycling. I set the soulder back .001" - .002" for a bolt gun, and .003" - .004" for a gas gun. This is less of a problem with the 5.56/.223 than with the .308.

Finally, in the off chance that you have a tight chamber in your Ar-15, you may need to use a small base die. I have never needed to do that except when I am resizing trash brass from the range. Yup, I'll dump $1,500.00 into a rifle and then scrounge skanky S&B brass to run through it, duh........