Reloading for an AR
- Thread starter 6MT
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Get a Lee factory crimp die as well. You will want to make sure those bullets stay in place during cycling.
Most 55gr. bullets you buy will have a cannelure that you will be able to crimp into. If you are loading match bullets, you can still crimp them a bit. I anticipate people jumping all over me on that one but I have tested crimping them and found no appreciable changes in accuracy vs. non-crimped bullets out of my CC IUR.
Most 55gr. bullets you buy will have a cannelure that you will be able to crimp into. If you are loading match bullets, you can still crimp them a bit. I anticipate people jumping all over me on that one but I have tested crimping them and found no appreciable changes in accuracy vs. non-crimped bullets out of my CC IUR.
alberta tactical rifle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- calgary alberta
Everything EXCEPT the size die remains the same. For sizing a small base die is required due to AR style rifles having about .125" at the rear of the casing not supported, hence it swells slightly. The small base die will correct this and ensure reliable feeding.
Crimp dies are not needed in most cases.
alberta tactical rifle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- calgary alberta
alberta tactical rifle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- calgary alberta
a 223 case check gauge will help things run smoothly as well. from what i have seen (my ar-15 anyways) the extractor can sometimes be rough on the case rims leaving a small burr on the edge of the case rim every now and then. Plus it requires you to handle your loaded cartridges once again giving another chance to detect split necks, high seated primers, etc.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Summerland, BC
As long as the AR is not overgassed or can be loaded/adjusted so it is not over gassed, I load mine like my precision 223s.
If you are suffering from an overly large gas port and no way to control that, I would NOT use Varget.
As long as your AR is not overgassed and the lock up is correct, you do not need a small base die.
I wouldn't crimp my ammo... but again, the AR has to feed properly.
Jerry
You may not need a small base die for your AR15 rifle, the military chamber is .002 larger in diameter than a standard SAAMI .223 chamber.
For a semi-auto the case diameter after full length resizing should be .003 to .005 smaller in diameter than its fired size for reliable extraction. Meaning adequate brass spring back after firing and having clearance from the chamber walls.
I size all the once fired bulk Lake City brass I buy once with a small base die and thereafter use a standard FL die. Technically because the AR15 chamber is .002 larger in diameter the standard die is already a "small bases die". "BUT" chambers and dies vary in size and you "might' need a small base die.
For a semi-auto the case diameter after full length resizing should be .003 to .005 smaller in diameter than its fired size for reliable extraction. Meaning adequate brass spring back after firing and having clearance from the chamber walls.
I size all the once fired bulk Lake City brass I buy once with a small base die and thereafter use a standard FL die. Technically because the AR15 chamber is .002 larger in diameter the standard die is already a "small bases die". "BUT" chambers and dies vary in size and you "might' need a small base die.
I reload for 3 different AR's as well. I found that a small base die just works better in my short barreled AR. Using the standard sizing die would cause occasional extraction problems, not something you want in a competition. The longer barreled AR's were fine using a standard full length sizing die.
