5.56 vs 223 Loads for 20” Barrel

[DMW1116]

I have to this point loaded rounds to 223 specs based on Hornady and Lyman load data. Hornady has 5.56 data and I was considering loading some of their 75 grain HPBT bullets to 5.56 charges using CFE 223 and/or TAC. My rifles are both chambered in 5.56 so that won’t be a problem. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who loads to 5.56 specs and if it causes any issues or you have to stop short due to pressure?

 

[Blue68f100]

I prefer to have long brass life. Loading to higher pressures will shorten brass life. Since 90% of my AR shooting is paper punching , I don't see the needed for the extra power. TAC & CFE223 is my powder of choice for general shooting. I use TAC for my 52gr match loads. I use Varget for my heavier pills and match loads.

 

[DMW1116]

I tried TAC with some 52 grain Barnes Match Burners. Results were good but I think I can find better.

I am of the same mind regarding wear and tear on brass and rifles. I have typically shot mid range or lower third range charges in 223. I just got a little bit by the speed bug. I have a 223 load for the 77 grain SMK. The Hornady HPBT is 1/3 cheaper and I have direct Hornady data.

 

[DMW1116]

CFE 223 and IMR 4064 are my favorite rifle powders. I went on a long spree of load testing after I bought my 20” rifle. However I didn’t go up into the 5.56 range and was curious if it might work. If I were to hunt coyote or ground hogs it might be worth pushing up into that range.

 

[AJC1]

If your competing for score the higher pressure nodes may add value to your shooting experience. If your just paper punching with friends a lower node would serve your needs just as well and be less wear and tear. If your not constantly inside 1 moa dont bother.

 

[Metal God]

If you’re talking for heavier bullets , your CFE-223 is the powder you want if you want any decent velocities . I don’t recommend the powder but of the two you mentioned that’s the one you want . As for all load development start low and work up . You shouldn’t have a problem pushing it past mid recommended charges just pay attention when you start getting close to max charges .

The heavier bullets are going to be traveling a little bit slower all things being equal then your lighter bullets so therefore you will have more dwelltime . The slower powder that CFE223 is will almost certainly result in you being a tad more over gas than you would want to be If this is for an AR

 

[Swampman]

I've loaded quite a few 62 grain M855 and SS109 bullets to full 5.56mm pressure using TAC and Ramshot data.

The bullets shot pretty crappy at .223 pressures, so I wanted to see if they might shoot better at the pressures they were designed for.

They didn't.

I would absolutely try it again if I had higher quality bullets and felt like it was needed to anchor big coydogs.

Till then I'll just keep poppin' 'em with 155 grain A-Max from a .308 or 85 grain Noslers from my .257 Bob improved.

 

[IALoder]

I have found that my 5.56 chambered AR's usually shoot best right at the top or a little bit above .223 max loads. Western's .223 max load of TAC/75's is a consistently accurate load for me in my rifles. I couldn't make it up to their top 5.56 loads without crazy pressure signs. But as always, start low and work up until you find accuracy or pressure signs!

 

[DMW1116]

If your competing for score the higher pressure nodes may add value to your shooting experience. If your just paper punching with friends a lower node would serve your needs just as well and be less wear and tear. If your not constantly inside 1 moa dont bother.

Its a mixed bag. My 75 grain Hornady load with IMR 4064 is consistently under 1 MOA in my 16” barrel rifle but my 20” rifle shoots that load around 3.5 MOA. My CFE 223 load with a 77 grain SMK shoots under 1 MOA in the 16” and under 1.5 MOA in the 20”.

I don’t compete but target shoot regularly. I tend to not try to push things too hard. I just got curious while searching for something else.

 

[DMW1116]

I’m not terribly concerned with velocity normally. I don’t have a chronograph but I figure the 75 grain load is doing about 2550 to 2650. The 77 grain load is probably a little faster but not by much.

 

[length_of_pull_1]

I would use the same principals you always use in reloading. Establish your destination charge weight by consulting your manuals and work your way up. Watch for pressure signs and don't blow your face off. Sometimes you can go past your 223 data and up into another accuracy node that will yield better results at greater ranges.

 

[Swampman]

...Watch for pressure signs and don't blow your face off...

That's some damn good handloading advice right there!

 

[Varminterror]

Much ado about nothing. The difference in load data is concession that the longer throat will allow a bit more powder be used at the same COAL in generic sized and loaded ammo before achieving the SLIGHTLY higher pressure standard... in reality, your rifle will tell you when it has had enough, and there is absolutely no means of discerning whether your load in your rifle is withunder either the 55k or 60kpsi standards they claim for 223 SR vs. 5.56.

 

[DMW1116]

Sounds like I’ll just keep things where they are unless I find a need to push further than 300 yards or start hunting coyotes or something a little larger.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I think bullets and charge matter more than different powder brands.

I always approach it with bullet type for the application (hunting, match, punching paper), powder charge then bullet weight in that order. Powder type (brand) would be my last consideration. That's several ladders (bullet weight and charge) to run up before considering a different powder.

Choose any powder appropriate for your cartridge and go to work on load development. Any bullet reloading manual will give you the load ladder for a particular bullet and powder. The Hornady manual lists the load ladder for 11 different powders for 75 gr 5.56 NATO bullets. I've only used one powder in the 10 years I've been loading .223 and I'm satisfied with it. I recently switched but it wasn't because I wanted too. Now I have to start all over.

Powder companies and auto manufacturers know it's more about marketing than actual performance. Now it's more about finding any powder than anything else.

 

[Charlie98]

When I first got my Colt H-bar... and being fresh out of the Army... I tried working up an M193 clone using H335. Never got there... the pressure signs were waving me off, so I stopped where I was. These days, loading for 3 very different AR's, I take a bit lower velocity as a trade off for longer brass and rifle life. Yes, I've sheared bolt lugs off.

 

[Varminterror]

unless I find a need to push further than 300 yards or start hunting coyotes or something a little larger.

I’ve been killing coyotes with mild loads of Varget (within the upper 1/3 of load data) under 50 grain bullets for over 30 years, and reaching out past 600 yards, as far as 1100-1200 on occasion with 77 SMK’s for over 20yrs.

The difference between 55kpsi and 60kpsi Hornady states between 223 SR and 5.56 data is insignificant in either pursuit.