Loading 5.56x45 mil surp brass/55 grains sp bullets, any advice?

[koger]

I have accumalated a large batch of militar 5.56x45 brass, gonna shoot it in an ar, using some 55gr. fmj and sp, probably use varget, anyone have any load data they would like to share? I plan on backing of 1 grain from same bullet, powder load in a .223bolt action,commercial brass load, anyone have suggestions on this? All replies appreciated!

 

[tome]

I am starting to reload 5.56..here's what i am going to use..this may not be the best load..but i have 8lbs of varget and 1000 cci 450 primers..so i was going to start with 25.0 grs of varget..cci450 primer..once fired and full length re sized lake city brass and 55 gr hornady zmax..crimpted..and see what kind of groups i get..that load should get me to about 2700' per sec

 

[MGYSGT]

Don't crimp. Not needed with the AR light recoil and your necks last longer

 

[FroggyOne2]

Agreed, there is no need to crimp. As long as you maintain about .003 tension with the neck on the bullet, you will find that will work okie dokie. And your groups should be a lil better, esp your verticle dispersion.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Varget eh?

In my experience, I have not been able to get enough Varget into a case with a 55 grain bullet to even reach max pressure in a bolt gun.

You'll be lucky to get 27.5 into the case.

That said, accuracy is wonderful. I use it for my critter getter 223.

 

[Edo]

I've also had excellent luck with Varget. Can't put enough powder in the case to be concerned about pressure. About 27.2 grns seems about the ideal amount for the 55 grn bullets and it gives great accuracy.

 

[bheadboy]

mil brass is often thicker and thus less capacity, be careful to not start hi on loads and check to see if the brass is consistant in weight.

Bob

 

[Fat Albert]

FroggyOne2: Do you even know what a "okie dokie" is? Its what you uses to get in your house if you live in Tulsa.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I am not in Tulsa, so I won't worry about it.. okie dokie!

 

[fr3db3ar]

Albert that was funny. ;D

I'm running 25.5 varget in LC brass, 55 vmax, CCI400, mag length with good results. Not a target load but plenty good for yotes and such.

 

[dreever]

Varget works great in my bolt action .223 however it is a royal P.I.T.A. and next to impossible to throw consistant charges in my Harrells measure so I weigh every charge.
In my semi auto's I use AA2520 very similar burn rate as Varget and goes thru the measure like water for very consistant power charges.
Compared head to head for group size in the bolt gun Varget wins out but not by all that much.
Danny

 

[Bradley Walker]

Varget eh?

In my experience, I have not been able to get enough Varget into a case with a 55 grain bullet to even reach max pressure in a bolt gun.

You'll be lucky to get 27.5 into the case.

That said, accuracy is wonderful. I use it for my critter getter 223.

This is true...

I suspect that if you took a bowl of Varget, dipped the case, shook it off and seated the bullet you would have fine accuracy loads... HAHAHAHA I am actually going to try it...

I use 26.5 gr myself, and you can use Reloader 15.

I have made a billion of these... one of the best loads for accuracy loads I have found but I don't like the spillage with my progressive because the case is so full.

You might try this thread too.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3790819.0