New to reloading rifle

[32_d3gr33s]

Im in the process of building an AR right now, and plan on reloading for it. Just not sure what to start with. It's 5.56. I reload for 9mm .38 and .357 currently. I assume I'm going to need a case trim tool, powder, primers, bullets and dies. Just curious on what people's preference is when it comes to those things. I'm clueless when it comes to rifles. Any input would be helpful

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Oh, another question. I plan on buying factory rounds, and then keeping the brass. Are there any brands to stay away from?

 

[Zeke/PA]

Good luck during this current "scare" on finding loading dies,bullets and brass for the .223.
EVERYONE on line is out of stock. IMHO you can't go wrong with Federal,Remington or Winchester brass.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

For dies, I know where quite a few sets of rcbs .223 are. Is that what I want to buy to reload, even though the rifle is 5.56?

 

[HexHead]

For dies, I know where quite a few sets of rcbs .223 are. Is that what I want to buy to reload, even though the rifle is 5.56?

As was pointed out to me when I asked about using 5.56 brass in my .223 bolt rifle, there are no 5.56 dies.

I use a Lyman case trimmer, the shell holder on it is much easier to use than most others. I also got a Lyman headspace/case gauge.

 

[Zeke/PA]

For dies, I know where quite a few sets of rcbs .223 are. Is that what I want to buy to reload, even though the rifle is 5.56?

YEP!!

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Thanks! Any suggestions on powder? I'm thinking mostly of shooting lighter plinking loads (probably a 55gr at close-ish range). Right now furthest I would be shooting would be about 150-200 yards. But most would be 100 or less. Barrel is a 16" 1 in 9 twist.

 

[cfullgraf]

For dies, I know where quite a few sets of rcbs .223 are. Is that what I want to buy to reload, even though the rifle is 5.56?

The dimensions of the cases is the same between 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO.

The difference is in the chamber and mostly to do with the throat or leade of the chamber.

Hence, you will only see 223 Remington dies listed of sale, or maybe 223 Rem/5.56 dies. Lots of discussion on this elsewhere the Internet world.

I recommend, if you do not already have dies, and are planning to use once fired and/or range pick up brass, get a set with a small base sizer die. There is no penalty for using a small base die, you will discard your cases for other reasons before the "extra" sizing causes failure of the case. But there are certain circumstances where another rifle's chamber is a bit larger in the body than yours and the standard die will not resize the case enough. A royal pain when the case gets stuck..

If you have not invested in dies, no extra expense.

Enjoy your AR.

 

[Walkalong]

Dies?

Hard to go wrong with RCBS dies. Good stuff. Forster and Redding are two more good choices for rifle dies.

Powder?

The good news is many powders work well in .223/5.56. H335, W748, AA 2330, TAC, 4895 (Either), a couple of different surplus powders, N133, 2460, etc.

Some favorites around here seem to be H335, TAC 2230, and 748, so you should be able to find something suitable.

To start with, I would suggest buying a headspace gauge to use for adjusting your sizer.

 

[kerreckt]

I use a Lyman Universal trimmer and dies by RCBS, Redding, Dillon, Lyman and Lee. Everyone has their preference but I don't think you will go wrong using equipment made by any of the major manufacturers. As far as brass goes. I prefer S&B brass because it is consistently of excellent quality. There are many people on this forum who will disagree but my experience bears this out. My second choice is LC (Lake City). I have found S&B to be more consistent than LC brass with fewer failures after numerous reloadings. Part of this are S&B's tight primer pockets that are a source of much dislike but allows for more reloads. "One man's tea is another man's poison"

 

[32_d3gr33s]

How many reloads to you usually expect to get out of a piece of brass with a normal mild load? Trying to decide weather or not to get a large quantity of brass, or if a smaller number would be ok depending on the number of uses I might get out of it.

 

[Comrade Mike]

With full length sizing an no annealing? 4 or 5 maybe

Depends on the load, depends on the chamber, your milage may vary.

For dies I recommend the RCBS xdies.

 

[cfullgraf]

I generally get fou to six loadings of my cases shot in an AR.

The primer pockets get loose first for the most part if I try to duplicate factory velocities. Life improves a little if I load them down some.

 

[Walkalong]

Life improves a little if I load them down some.

My plinker loads which are around 95% of max, get 6 to 12 firings. It all depends on the brass, the pressure, your chamber, and how much you are pushing the shoulder back. I am sizing to fit a case gauge with .223. If you push the shoulder back too much, you could have problems in two firings.

 

[MRH]

If you don't have the misc. reloading equipment here's some suggestions:

If you haven't gotten a die set yet, consider an RCBS X FL die set to get more shots from the brass.
A chamfer/deburring tool
dial caliper
hand priming tool e.g Lee Auto Prime or RCBS UNIVERSAL tool
Once fired military surplus brass - a lot cheaper than buying new ammo and using that brass. I get good results from LC.
After you have worked up loads with small boxes of bullets, buy bulk bullets from Midway, Midsouth, etc. (if you can find them!)
A lot of small rifle primers (ditto above)
Only get 1 lb cans of powder until you develop some good loads, then buy larger quantities (also ditto above)


Mike

 

[BunnMan]

I've had good results with Varget and heavier bullets in a slightly tighter twist barrel. Sub moa using 69gr SGK BTHP. Tried 55gr SMK and couldn't shrink em down as much but kept em below 2" at max charge. This is out of a 14.5" 1:7 with a 4x scope.

Natchez has some 77gr 250 count bullets in stock, ordered some yesterday.

-BunnMan

 

[Lj1941]

LEE

Lee dies are my choice. One reason is the factory crimp die and another is price.I have never had any issues with them.

 

[SlowFuse]

Depending on what type of brass you use you may run across crimped primer pockets. You will need a way to ream or swage these.

I use a RCBS press mounted swager for both large and small crimped mil type brass. Works well. If you plan on doing large runs you may want to look at the dillon super swage.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

Scoop up those RCBS dies in 223 immediately. If you find that they just don't like you, somebody will take them off your hands.
I get all mt brass off the range or I did. I have plenty now. Unless it was stepped on or otherwise damaged I have great luck with any of it. 556 head stamps will pass happily though dies labeled 223; good thing 'cause I've never seen a 556 die.
Oddly enough, the best round I've ever been able to reproduce in mass is the Hornady 60gr VMax over 25gr Varget at 2.25 oal.
Swage, don't cut crimped primers.

 

[AABEN]

Accurate 223 or H335 does very good. I have the Lee dies and like them also. Jest be sure you full size then all the way if you use them in a AR. If in a bolt or pump neck size only.

 

[hentown]

I use Lee dies, generally; however, do like the RCBS X die for repeated loadings for my ARs. Since I'm selling ammo now, repeat use of the brass is a non-issue.

Lee also makes a pretty quick and inexpensive trimming system that uses a pilot with cutter and a chuckable case holder.

I tried the RCBS press-mounted swager and hated it. I'm using the Dillon Super Swage now and love it. You can also chuck the cases in an electric drill and ream the primer pockets with a Lyman or Hornady primer pocket reamer.

I'm using WC844 powder for .223 reloading, when I can find it.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

got my AR together yesterday and put about 60 rounds through it. Man it shoots awesome. I only shot at about 30-40 yards, because Im blind past that point. Going to need to invest in a scope. I picked up about 200 rounds of Fereral 223, at $0.50/round, so that should get me a decent start at reloading. How much brass do you guys normally keep on hand? Ive got about 2000 rounds of 9mm, and a couple hundred of both .357 and .38. Im thinking about 1000 for the .223. That should last me a while at the rate i shoot. I ususally only go about twice a month and shoot a couple hundred rounds of 9mm, so i figure my rifle will be about the same.

Hope to piece together everything i need here in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the help so far!!

 

[stavman11]

youll probobly end up needing more .223 brass.... Seems I always have a few hundred in various stages of readyness....
Dirty
Cleaned needs trimmed
5.56 brass both above stages
Ready to swag primer pockets 5.56
Ready to de-prime and size .223 and 5.56
ready to load..

but 1000 is a good start...

Now the 9mm is good, and probobly the .357 & 38S..... i know i only shoot maybe 50rds of .357 but i do shoot as much as 200 9mm and similarly .223

So good start so far... just get some Good .223 factory when ya can find it and shoot it to add to yer collection

oh and Nice gun... what is It

 

[mstreddy]

OP, If you are interested PM me. I might be able get you a couple hundred 1x cases.
Most Federal branded I've come across lately has crimped in primers. So, you will need to have a means of removing the primer crimp from them. There are a couple of different ways of doing that. C&H has a swager die, RCBS has one as well. There are also bench mounted swagers from Dillon and RCBs. There are also manual cutting tools from most companies, RCBS, Lee, Lyman, etc.
I own the bench mounted swager from RCBS and it works very well. I tried the RCBS case station with the cutter on it, but wasn't happy with it. I'll agree that a case gauge will be essential.
And in case no one has mentioned it -- you gotta lube rifle brass. Trust me on that one!

 

[GLOOB]

How many reloads to you usually expect to get out of a piece of brass with a normal mild load?

Lots. Keep on shooting until the neck cracks, or when the primers won't stay in, anymore, or in some cases when the necks no longer hold tension. For feeding an AR, I'd want a minimum of 150-200 cases beyond what I plan to have loaded at any time. There's so much time spent with case prep, it is nice when you can wait to process at least 100 cases at a time. I usually wait until I have at least 3-400 empties before setting up shop.

OTOH, try not to buy too many. My 223 cases multiply like no other. They're just big enough they're nearly impossible to lose where I shoot. And I often find pickups.