reloading once fired .223 brass for AR-15

[CT10ring]

I have a large pile of once fired .223 brass from my 2 different bolt guns and an AR 15 & it's time to reload it. A mixture of Lapua, BHA, WW, Hornady. Some is segregated by what gun it was shot in, some not. My question--any tips on reloading this brass for use in my AR for varmint shooting? The AR has shot Hornady factory into 1/2' @ 100 yds & I hope to replicate that degree of accuracy. I have a small base die for .223,have not used yet), as well as F/L die X7. Should I run brass thru the small base die, then f/l die? I will be using Varget, CCI Br-4 primers & 69g SMK's. Any info / advice appreciated.

 

[Travelor]

I have a Match AR-15 and all I do is run the cases through a F/L sizing die and they brass works great. My go-to load for 69 gr SMK's is 24.5 grains of H4895 loaded to mag length, but VARGET should work wonderfully also.

George

 

[2506]

I shoot a Bushmaster AR 223 with a 1-9 twist. I have found that the accuracy load that came out of Sierra manual as far as the powder load is very accurate. I use 25.3 grs. Varget, CCI-BR4, WW or LC case, 69 gr Sierra MK OAL 2.260 and I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die. The 69 gr MK will do a number on a groundhog. Exit wounds the size of a golf ball.

 

[people]

I use any brass for my flattop AR-15. It does tend to shoot better when sorting the brass my manufacture but I am only shooting PD and I use a 50gr Speer TNT with .5gr less than max charge of AA2200 with a win SR primer. This load works with all brass I have tried.

 

[BigJim]

For Ar - X-Small Base FL die,RCBS) and 55 grain A-Max's with 25 grains of H335.

For Savage Bolt 223 - Lee FL 223 dies and 75 grain A-Max with 23.5 grain of H4895.

Just a suggestion.


Jim

 

[Ackman]

All I've ever used with my AR is a standard .223 FL sizer. Works just fine.

Shooting prairie dogs, that 69gr Sierra won't be near as effective as a lighter more explosive varmint bullet. And it doesn't have high enough BC to make up for loss of velocity from the heavier weight. Trajectory will be much less flat and it won't gain anything in windage. There's no advantage to using that one, unless maybe you get a bunch of them free.

 

[SooStan]

I have never needed anything other then a standard FL sizer for several auto loaders over the years. The load suggestions are all great shooters. Over all leanth can be a problem once the brass has been resized. Check it after sizing. I use a dillon rapid trim on all of my 223 brass and spot check it with a case gauge. The RCBS X-die has worked well for me also to keep the cases from growing when sized. RCBS recommends to trim once and then use the dies but they seem to work OK without trimming but do work better when used as suggested.

 

[CT10ring]

Thanks, all. Sounds like I should size them, check case length as necessary, load em & shoot em... I don't know much about the SMK's firsthand, but have read they are good longer range shooters. I really like 55g vmaxes in my AR 1/9 tw 24' barrel for PD shooting and assumed the SMK 69's were better for long range-not so?....Had a good group @ 100 yds with once fired Lapua .223 brass, 25.0g Varget & 69 SMK's recently-all rounds touching except where I misjudged the trigger in the 2 stage take-up and fired prematurely,excuse # 1). Will try 25.3g this weekend....

Again thanks for the time, interest & advice.

 

[billmo]

25.7 GR. OF VARGET WORKS REALLY WELL IN MY RRA A4 VARMINTER UNDERNEATH THE 69 GR. SMK AS WELL. BILL

 

[doubleDarms]

I have a Match AR-15 and all I do is run the cases through a F/L sizing die and they brass works great. My go-to load for 69 gr SMK's is 24.5 grains of H4895 loaded to mag length, but VARGET should work wonderfully also.

George

Thats one of my favorite loads also !

 

[hoosiergc]

Forget the small base die. Bump the shoulder back not more than .003, and go for it. Should get many firings from those cases.


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