.223 dies, or 5.56?

[JWH321]

OK, I'm a dummy.

I have been reloading 9mm for several years but recently decided to build an AR-15 because everyone else has one (I'm 68 years old, and I have a bucket list, OK).

I've been collecting brass and I have a mixed batch of 223 and 556. I have to order dies to start reloading for the AR.

What do I order? Do I need both .223 and 5.56? What about bullets? What do I order? Do I have to have two of everything? (9mm was SO easy).

HELP!!!!!!

 

[Walkalong]

Order .223 dies. No one makes "5.56" dies. Bullets are the same. No worries.

 

[calaverasslim]

+1 with walkalong. No one makes 5.56 dies. Once you reload your 5.56 brass, they become, in essence, 223's.

The only down side to reloading the 5.56 brass is that your going to have to get the crimp out of the primer pocket. After that and trimming the brass length it becomes a walk in the park.

Good luck

 

[sirgilligan]

I have two sets of dies because I wanted to experiment with roll crimp and taper crimp.

RCBS Small Base Die Set .223 REM P/N 11103 Group: A Use Shell Holder #10

.223 REM/5.56X45 SB T/C Die Set RCBS P/N 11107 Group: AR Use Shell Holder #10


I also bout the Lee Factory Crimp Die as well, so I could learn to use that type of crimp, which was the easiest to setup.


I also use TAC powder with specifications for 5.56 load data, so if I want to keep a 5.56 brass loaded to a 5.56 spec I can do so, or I can load it lighter to a .223 spec.

 

[herkyguy]

I had the same issue..... I searched THR for threads about .223 and 5.56 brass, and am now confident that there is really no difference in brass, bullets, or powder, other than to say that 5.56 is loaded to slightly higher pressures and should never be shot out of a
.223 gun.

also, there is a lot of conflicting guidance on brass thickness, but again thanks to THR forum searches, it seems that there is no set difference.... some brass, whether it be .223 or 5.56 is thicker than others. If you really want to nail it down, just sort the headstamps.

best of luck. I've found that I really enjoy loading .223. tons of bullet weights to choose from. another good search is rifle twist and bullet weights. It's enough that a man could spend the better part of a year just tinkering with all the different loads and never work the same one twice.

 

[cfullgraf]

What do I order? Do I need both .223 and 5.56? What about bullets? What do I order? Do I have to have two of everything? (9mm was SO easy).

Pretty well covered.

To add, since you do not have dies and you are using range pick up cases, I recommend you get a small base sizing die for reloading for your AR-15.

There is no down side, I find AR-15 case life with small base dies the same as with standard dies. The upside is if you get cases fired in a slightly larger chamber, you will not have chambering issues in your rifle.

The risk is very small, but why not just avoid the problem from the get go since you are not yet invested in 223 Remington dies.

 

[Bart B.]

Yes, use standard .223 dies; you probably don't want small base ones.

I'd forget about crimping case necks into bullets. That's proved to be detrimental to accuracy. People winning matches and setting records with 22 caliber AR types don't have crimped in bullets. Their case necks have enough grip on bullets to hold them secure enough.

 

[JWH321]

RCBS .223 Remington dies and a Lyman case trimmer on the way. Interesting side note: .223 takes the same holder as my .380 handgun brass. Didn't have to buy one.

Thanks folks.

 

[cfullgraf]

Interesting side note: .223 takes the same holder as my .380 handgun brass. Didn't have to buy one.

Thanks folks.

Yup.

And US military 223 Rem stripper clips are a handy way to carry extra 380 ACP ammunition.

 

[medalguy]

I don't know how those of us "of a certain age" ever got started reloading before there was the internet. Heck I started reloading 5.56 military brass back about 1975 and never even knew there was something called ".223 Remington" brass. All I had was a Lyman and RCBS manual and a couple of friends I could use to bounce reloading ideas off. Somehow we managed to struggle along and keep from blowing ourselves up with our lack of information. Having all these forums and web sites does definitely make it easier.

 

[Bull Nutria]

medalguy,

you got that right, i have learned so much on internet forums it is unbelievable!
I have got answers to questions and found solutions to problems that wondered about for years! Internet is great for repairs on just about everything! Seems that somebody has always had the same problem as i have had!

Bull

 

[ironworkerwill]

What about bullets?

Use .223 Remington dies and .224'' diameter bullets.

 

[bfoosh006]

To be explicit, the difference between .223 and 5.56 is pressure and chamber dimensions.

The 5.56 has a longer throat ( in some cases.. a VERY deep throat ) and gentler leade at the rifling. ( Other minor details as well but ... )

.223 dies are what you want.

 

[rg1]

Best most recommended primers for semi-auto rifles with a floating firing pin are Remington 7 1/2, CCI 450's, CCI Arsenal #41's, or CCI BR. They all have a thicker cup than some small rifle primers. Best plinking bullet for AR's and most popular are Hornady 55 gr. FMJ's. Lot's of choices for bullets. Best military cases for reloading is Lake City LC but military cases have to have the primer pocket crimp removed. I highly recommend a case gauge to adjust your sizing die to only push the shoulder of cases back a measured amount. Hornady's Headspace Gauge Set works well. It mounts to your caliper. Another good tool to help adjust your sizing die is the RCBS Precision Mic for .223 Rem. Plenty of good powders but a popular powder with 55 grain bullets is Hodgdon H335. Have fun loading for your AR.

 

[JWH321]

The Little White Truck showed up with dies today. Playtime.

Thanks folks for not ridiculing a newbie question. This is going to be fun.