Can i use full power .223 loads for fireforming? and can i expect predictable velocities with low ES for velocity?

If your rifle was chambered correctly for the AI, you can use full power loads for fireforming.

Steve, I have 4, .223 AI rifles and have about 9 years of experience so I feel like I can share a few things with you that you can "Carve in Granite"...First of all, you should use full power loads in order to get the case fully blown out to the new chamber demensions..26.0 Grs. of H-335 with a 52 gr. Sierra is cheap and works well form me...26.5 Grs.of Benchmark with the same bullet will give you good fire form cases and the SD will be good enough for Prairie Dogs....In the .223 AI, I can get about 3750 fps with the 50 gr V-Max in a 22" barrel and it is a wonderful load for Coyotes..If you would like more information, send me a private message and I will give you chapter and verse on this very special little cartridge. George

Excellent, thanks much for the info. guys. I have a 26" 9 twist AR upper in .223 AI, and i think i'm just gonna use the 69's i've been using for pr. dogs/coyotes. Sounds like the full power 223 loads will work. I'll find out soon.

Steve, One thing that is very improtant in fireforming cases is this: the case MUST fit very tight in the chamber when fireforming or the case will stretch and will develop a "fault" line around the case about 1/2" up from the head and will eventually seperate after 3 or 4 firings..If your cases do not fit very tight when fireforming, you can prevent the "fault" from occuring by seating the bullet into the lands about .010 to .015 and redcuing the powder charge slightly...Maybe 1/2 grain or so...If you reduce it too much, you won't get complete case forming on the initial firing...Winchester makes good cases, I use them a lot...epecially for P/Dogs...I have had very poor experiences with Rem. and Federal cases...The very best cases are IMI but they are not available at this time...Lake City Brass that I have used is very good and contrary to popular belief, actually holds about 1/2 to 3/4 gr. more that Winchester, Rem or Federal Brass....I have been sorting the L/City by weight and it has worked very well for me...Let me know if I can help.....George

steve, check your pm's.