optimal OAL for .223 remington in AR15?
- Thread starter Shep546
- Start date
In my experience maximum OAL listed in reloading manual should fit in all magazines.. Oal varies depending on the recipe and projectile anyways .
- Location
- Georgetown Ontario
The Problem with this is that manuals list loads that are not compatible for use in AR mags, some may be listed as AR specific so look for this in manuals. Try loading a 75gr.Amax or a 80gr.SMK into a AR MAG! Not gonna work. Maximum suggested OAL for use in AR mags is 2.260, you might squeak a bit more in some mags but not really worth it.
For anything 69gr and under, I've yet to see a reloading manual suggest anything that wouldn't fit in an AR15 magazine.
Perhaps a better question would be: "what's the internal OAL of an AR15 magazine?". The answer to that is that the "standard" length for USGI magazines is condsidered to be 2.27 inches. Ergo, you probably shouldn't exceed a cartridge OAL of 2.25 inches or you're going to have problems. However, YMMV depends on what mags you use.
Perhaps a better question would be: "what's the internal OAL of an AR15 magazine?". The answer to that is that the "standard" length for USGI magazines is condsidered to be 2.27 inches. Ergo, you probably shouldn't exceed a cartridge OAL of 2.25 inches or you're going to have problems. However, YMMV depends on what mags you use.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
the hornady book has a separate section for 223 service rifles. Thats what I would look at if I had an ar.
As 5.56 NATO maximum C.O.A.L. is 2.260" anything longer is asking for problems.
Here is Sierra 223 Rem AR15 load data
accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
Alex
- Both Sierra 77gr MatchKing and Hornady 75gr A-Max or Match bullets are designed work from standard AR15 magazines.
- Both Sierra 80gr MatchKing and Hornady 80gr A-Max cannot be used in a standard magazine!
Here is Sierra 223 Rem AR15 load data
accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
Alex
Your OAL is fine, what powder/charge/primer did you use??
- Location
- Georgetown Ontario
75gr. Amax will not fit a AR-15 mag, it is way too long. Unless you want to single load them for firing in a AR. I have tried this and they shot good but just not worth it with other suitable match bullets out there for the AR like the 77gr. SMK.
What brass are you using? 22gr of WC735 seems light. I'm using 23.2 grains in IVI brass and IVI has a smaller case volume (need to load lighter). I found using less powder made the load a little smokey and the precission just wasn't there.
I am still running into issues with my COAL...
My manuals seem to be saying 2.215 to 2.250 for my projectile.
I found 2.215 to be too long for my LAR15 magazines and you could still see the cannelure so I seated them to 2.180" and that seems to cycle through my LAR15 magazines well... problem is how will this affect my load?
My manuals seem to be saying 2.215 to 2.250 for my projectile.
I found 2.215 to be too long for my LAR15 magazines and you could still see the cannelure so I seated them to 2.180" and that seems to cycle through my LAR15 magazines well... problem is how will this affect my load?
Agreed; further, I have found that variances in mags and ogives means a max of 2.250" for fully-reliable function.
As for the OP's question about "optimal" oal, if using a cannelure bullet, put the cannelure where it would go for crimping. if not, either go for 2.250" for powder capacity or experiment with shorter lengths for accuracy. Also follow the manuals regarding max loads at a given OAL / bullet combination.
