I have never loaded for a AR-.223. I am going to be loading for several different AR style guns in that caliber. This is just going to be for plinking and nothing too precise. I was wondering what length I need to make the round? Do I just use my reloading manual and use the overall length it has listed for .223. Thanks for the help
loading for AR-223?
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Follow what your load manual says.....
Jeff Porter
Gold $$ Contributor
Magazine length is 2.250 to 2.260 depending on your Mags. But …. Bullet profile on the shorter stubby bullets may be jammed in a .223 chamber that long. I run 2.235” for 50-60 gr stuff 2.245 for up to 69’s and 2.250 for heavies with a nice sharp profile.
That said … load what the book tells you. Then tweak in or out to see if you can make it better.
That said … load what the book tells you. Then tweak in or out to see if you can make it better.
Depending on bullet, I set 55gr fmj plinkers for 2.250" as @Jeff Porter mentions. My main reason for that was due to the cannelure being set inside the neck.
I want to post a pic to show what I describe to help assist my question. This is in a 308, so it is longer than the 223 being mentioned, but shows the problem.
Notice on the two Hornady 6.5 ELD-M bullets at max COAL, which is 2.825 per the data I use.
The 3rd bullet is a Hornady SST bullet which is a hunting round with a cannelure on it. The 3 bullet is seated just to get the cannelure inside the neck, but it is 2.670.
These cartridges have a .155" difference in COAL!
Next to them are 308 SMK and 308 TMK but neither have a cannelure.
What I was wondering is that it seems there's enough tension on the next to all me to seat the Hornady SST hunting bullet with the cannelure above the neck, but that is now how I've reloading in the past. On 223/5.56 I have always seated the bullets to get the cannelure inside the neck, and work my loads from there.
FWIW, in this pic below all the cartridges fit inside the mag, which is an AICS short action mag (DPMS/LR size which allows 2.825"). For bolt the mag is a convenience, IMO. Certainly I can't rely on the same loads for each bullet in the same rifle, and this same problem can happen on 223, just that the 55gr fmj bullets I was using did fit to max spec. Mags make a huge difference on ARs, IMO, and pmags give the most problems. The metal DPMS style seem to work more reliably, in my experience.
Just to show, all cartridges fit inside and clear easily, but you can see how much lower the SST bullet is.
I want to post a pic to show what I describe to help assist my question. This is in a 308, so it is longer than the 223 being mentioned, but shows the problem.
Notice on the two Hornady 6.5 ELD-M bullets at max COAL, which is 2.825 per the data I use.
The 3rd bullet is a Hornady SST bullet which is a hunting round with a cannelure on it. The 3 bullet is seated just to get the cannelure inside the neck, but it is 2.670.
These cartridges have a .155" difference in COAL!
Next to them are 308 SMK and 308 TMK but neither have a cannelure.
What I was wondering is that it seems there's enough tension on the next to all me to seat the Hornady SST hunting bullet with the cannelure above the neck, but that is now how I've reloading in the past. On 223/5.56 I have always seated the bullets to get the cannelure inside the neck, and work my loads from there.
FWIW, in this pic below all the cartridges fit inside the mag, which is an AICS short action mag (DPMS/LR size which allows 2.825"). For bolt the mag is a convenience, IMO. Certainly I can't rely on the same loads for each bullet in the same rifle, and this same problem can happen on 223, just that the 55gr fmj bullets I was using did fit to max spec. Mags make a huge difference on ARs, IMO, and pmags give the most problems. The metal DPMS style seem to work more reliably, in my experience.
Just to show, all cartridges fit inside and clear easily, but you can see how much lower the SST bullet is.
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JAlfred
Silver $$ Contributor
If it is indeed 223 and not 5.56, make sure you use 223 load data and work up. The cartridge dimensions are the same and some 223 chambered rifles can safely handle higher 5.56 pressures (check with manufacturer), the difference is in the chamber throat and can cause problems in some situations.
ARs are a lot of fun and easy to load for, you may be surprised by their accuracy. What model and features? Twist? What bullet weights are you interested in? What powders and components are available to you?
There are a lot of good people who can help your around here
ARs are a lot of fun and easy to load for, you may be surprised by their accuracy. What model and features? Twist? What bullet weights are you interested in? What powders and components are available to you?
There are a lot of good people who can help your around here
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Are you talking about barrels for just AR's or are you including bolt actions?
Are you saying a Wylde chamber is some type of 556?
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Clean and dry brass before lubing/sizing(I use a universal decapping tool first). I personally have not needed a small base or body die, but some have needed that step for range brass. I have a 556,223 wyde chamber AR and 2 223rem bolt guns. Have used the same RCBS fl sizing die for all, adjusting the die as needed. For plinking/SD I would use a taper crimp. And Set headspace on brass 0.003-0.004 that should avoid the need to forward assist after chambering off magazines( I use my AR in sub zero temps here so I usually size 0.004). Ammo checking gages(blocks) are best for safely verifying ammo fit, avoiding having to mortar a stuck round at a busy range.
It actually is a slightly modified 5.56 chamber, basically a throat diameter of the 223 and the rest is 5.56.
I’d be surprised if you can get any true 223 chamber on a production rifle.
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THAT IS NOT TRUE
i see more bs on the wylde chamber on this forum.
it is a MATCH reamer to allow ACCURACY with 69.75 grain bullets for 200/300 yards in cmp/dcm ar15/m16 clones and STILL ALLOW AN 80GR SMK at 2.4xx", TO BE SINGLE LOADED. it is not the best all round chamber..it is designed for one thing and one thing only 600 yard 80gr single load with moa or less accuracy for 200.300 yd stages at cmp.dcm matches.
it is neither a 233 nor a 5.56..it is a wylde...call bill and ask him.
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.223 Is the ammo my buddy buys for his guns. I am going to be loading rounds from his factory brass. I will be loading Hornady 55gr V-max. Hodgdon CFE 223 powder and cci 400 primers.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Most load data is for bolt guns, reduce those loads slightly. And watch your bolt face using CCI 400's, there are better primers for AR's and no proud primers.
I never knew this. This is interesting.... and funny because I'd bet that 99.5% of the Wylde chamber owners have never loaded or fired an 80gr SMK.
Depending on your chamber you might want to consider using a small base die when sizing the cases.
For years I only used a full length die for my mini 14 and had no issues.
Now with my Colt AR, I was having some rounds not go into battery (bolt not fully seated in the locking lugs). Had to mortar them out. Measured the case at the base and it was .002" larger than spec.
A small base die will size that area as a FL die will not.
For years I only used a full length die for my mini 14 and had no issues.
Now with my Colt AR, I was having some rounds not go into battery (bolt not fully seated in the locking lugs). Had to mortar them out. Measured the case at the base and it was .002" larger than spec.
A small base die will size that area as a FL die will not.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm not trying to be smart, but kind of like you would for a magazine fed bolt gun. My experience with some of the feedback is different (not saying others are wrong). For example I loaded up some rounds seating the bullet at exactly the length listed in the Sierra manual. At the range I had trouble closing the bolt BECAUSE I was jamming the bullets into the lands A LOT. Many years ago, before I started recording for each rifle the length the bullet would touch the lands.
So find out the touch length on the rifles you intend to load for with all the bullets you intend to load. And if you want to load the same load for all the rifles, make them for the shortest COAL to touch or whatever you run off the lands.
You can greatly exceed the magazine length - if you desire for the heavier bullets, if you window your magazine or single load with a SLED. I do both. I cut the window to maintain the maximum strength and allow for 5 rounds. I selected a SS magazine and stayed above a major strength point. I don't have fancy tools and it doesn't look great, but I can load to almost 2.350" COAL and they feed just fine.
I would focus more on how much neck tension you need to run to keep the bullet from moving during chambering. Sierra lists different loads for AR's vs bolt guns. Start there.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Haven’t you fixed that yet? I can loan you a file.
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