5.56 Carbine Loading Manual

manicmechanic

manicmechanic

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EDIT - Thanks for the recommendations fellas. Sorry guess I should have been clearer. My manuals are 20+ years old - long before the heavier 60g + bullets were widely available and the 1 in 8” twist became more common. In fact 5.56 isn’t listed in any of my old manuals - maybe it’s not in newer ones either - but I know it’s rated about 10k psi higher pressure than 223. I was hoping there are manuals that list specific data for short barreled 5.56 platforms with the faster twist barrel suitable for heavier bullets and newer powders that weren’t available back in the day. 40g bullets probably won’t love the 1 in 8” twist like my old 222 which had 1 in 14” if memory serves. Hence I have need of a new manual and wondered what manuals had found useful for this calibre / twist rate / heavier bullet weight. I could do trial and error but figured it would be well worth the price of an updated version to take advantage of more recent data on powders & newer heavy for calibre bullets. Thx Tom
 
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The Lyman 51st Edition only lists IMR4198 for one weight of bullet, BL-C(2) is widely used with most common bullet weights. Their testing was done with a 20" barrel as well.

I use 55gr SP bullets for my varmint loads with CFE223 in my first gen Ruger American Ranch and found that it was more accurate the closer I was to the starting load.

I know I'm not really fully answering your questions, but I figured I'd share my reaults with you.
 
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Trigger 418 said:
BL-C2 is a good powder for .223., especially if you are using up existing stocks.
CF223 is a great powder as well especially if you want to optimize velocity.
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CFE seems to just be BL-C(2) with tin dioxide added. I use both for bulk loading 5.56. Top velocities and no complaints at all. 4198 will work and even cycle an AR "carbine" but velocities will be much lower. It's a very versatile powder but I haven't found it to be the best for anything but cast bullet loads in old milsurp guns.
 
Keller said:
The Lyman 51st Edition only lists IMR4198 for one weight of bullet, BL-C(2) is widely used with most common bullet weights. Their testing was done with a 20" barrel as well.

I use 55gr SP bullets for my varmint loads with CFE223 in my first gen Ruger American Ranch and found that it was more accurate the closer I was to the starting load.

I know I'm not really fully answering your questions, but I figured I'd share my reaults with you.
Click to expand...
Have you tried heavier bullets than 55g? It’s my rifle for coyotes and wondered about taking advantage of the ability to shoot heavier bullets to anchor those pests.
 
manicmechanic said:
Have you tried heavier bullets than 55g? It’s my rifle for coyotes and wondered about taking advantage of the ability to shoot heavier bullets to anchor those pests.
Click to expand...
I haven't, no.

I've only just started loading for .223 though, mostly loaded 8mm, .303B, and .308 until recently.
 
The 1:8 twist of the Ruger Ranch should stabilize fairly heavy bullets 60-80gr. Might be harder on the pelts though if that is of concern.
 
My Lyman 49th edition lists a load for the .223 using IMR 4198 with a 40gr v-max, starting load 20.5gr 22.9gr max load. Also has a load using IMR 4198 with a 50 gr soft point starting load 20.0gr max load 22.0gr. Loads were developed in a 14” t/c using Remington 7 1/2 primers. Hornady 7th edition has load using IMR 4198 with a 55gr jacketed sp 19.3gr start 24.0gr max, using Remington 7 1/2 primers in a 14” T/C
 
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