Reloading 223.cal

Are you pushing hard enough on the bolt to make the extractor jump over the rim of the case? This probably isn't good for the extractor. I don't recommend doing this often, wait for your lower to arrive.

Are your bullets hitting the lands before chambering? Draw on the bullet with a felt pen and see if the ink rubs off, or try seating the bullet really deep (in an uncharged case, obviously.)

There's no special crimp required for ARs, just use enough to prevent setback during feeding.
 
The Lee Factory crimp die works very well, cheap to boot.
If you are loading 55 grain bullets, I assume you are loading so they fit in the magazine (2.255" oal is about max. I'd go). You are not going to get into loading bullets just shy of the lands until you are in the 75 grain and up range, and then they will need to be single fed.

I full length size, trim the cases, and never worry about case gauging my rounds.
 
damndirtyape said:
Are you pushing hard enough on the bolt to make the extractor jump over the rim of the case? This probably isn't good for the extractor.
Click to expand...

:confused: That's not a very logical conclusion, since every time the rifle cycles, the extractor jumps over the rim of the case, and at pretty high speed, to boot.

I have loaded .223 for my AR-15, and never did anything special, and never had a bit of trouble. Mind you, by the time I got an AR-15, I had some experience loading the caliber for a Mini-14, so that might have helped me work the bugs out.

The first time I dropped a handload in the chamber of my Mini, it wouldn't go all the way in. So, like an idiot, I pulled the bolt back and let it fly, figuring a good whack would overcome whatever little bit of gunk was binding things up.

It took me 3 days to clear the round out of the chamber.

I was using a roll crimp, and some of my cases were longer than others. When the long case ran into the crimping ring, there was too much material there, and the case "adjusted" itself by collapsing slightly at the shoulder, which flared it up to a larger diameter, which jammed itself very solidly in the chamber when forced.

You should do the following:
1. Full-length resize a case, then see if it drops into the chamber
2. Seat a bullet to within ~1mm of its final position, and see if it drops into the chamber
3. Seat the bullet as far as you can go without applying any crimp, and see if it drops into the chamber
4. Finish the crimp, and see if it drops into the chamber

Let us know at which point the whole thing goes to hell.
 
BattleRife said:
:confused: That's not a very logical conclusion, since every time the rifle cycles, the extractor jumps over the rim of the case, and at pretty high speed, to boot.
Click to expand...

Doesn't the cartridge slide up underneath the extractor during feeding/chambering?
 
Sorry, I wa having a hard time following your sirst post.. lack of punctuation etc.. made it hard to follow.
Anyway:
are you saying that factory ammo fits, and the bolt will close in the AR?
it is just a problem with your ammo.. it will fit in other guns but not your AR?

is there is something obstructing the bolt from going forward all the way? ( other than your shell?)
 
Factory ammo works find. My hand loads do not. There is noting preventing the bolt from closing when there is no ammo in the gun. Both factory ammo and hand loads drop into the barrel, I guess the hand loads do not drop in far enough to close the bolt.
 
Last edited:
your cases are all trimmed to length and the sizing die is correctly adjusted? It almost sounds like your sizing die isnt set right and its casusing a problem for you.
remember that with gas gubs, we need to fully resize the brass. Simple neck sizing isnt good enough. Your brass may be fire formed to another rifle.. you need to completely resize it.
hope this helps.
 
msg.drew said:
Factory ammo works find. My hand loads do not. There is noting preventing the bolt from closing when there is no ammo in the gun. Both factory ammo and hand loads drop into the barrel, I guess the hand loads do not drop in far enough to close the bolt. the bolt is approx 1/4 from closing if your familiar with the ar bolt and mainly the bit with the extractor, when the bolt closes it is pressed into the bolt i can only get it to close half way with my hand loads but it closes all the way with the factory loads. I tried crimping them today made no difference.
Click to expand...

Sorry, none of what you are saying makes sense.:confused:
You say your handloads work in other chambers fine, and are sized to spec.
You say your handloads don't work in this chamber, but factory ammo does.

If your rounds do not indeed properly chamber, something is out, either the ammunition or the barrels chamber.

I've fired well over 100,000 rounds and I still shoot magpies :rolleyes: Regardless of whether you have loaded 500 or 50,000 rounds, something is not right.

Considering the bolt closes on factory ammunition, you need to inspect the handloads that you are using, better idea would be to take a deep breath and start over.
 
If I understand correctly, your handloads work in other guns---but bolt action guns?
I have always used .223 small base dies to load for autos and never had a problem. These size the lower part of the case a little smaller than standard dies for easy chambering, something not required with the powerful camming action of a bolt gun.
If you are certain that your present sizing die is adjusted correctly, then sure as liberals are criminals, a S.B. size die will fix your problem.
 
Last edited:
I've almost exclusively been shooting handloads in my AR's for the last 15 years and have never needed small base dies.

What kind of brass are you using and what kind of rifle was it shot from before reloading?
Are your powder charges compressed loads?
 
I heard small base dies destroy your brass. I am using hornady new dimension full length dies, I listed all the specs of what i am using on the first page but they are Remington R-p .223 Cal. It was shot out of my 700 VLS. They are no ware near compressed loads 18grs I shoot at a 20 yard indoor range.

I crimped a bunch makes no difference

however there are two small lines on the neck of the case after trying to chamber them should it be leaving marks on the case ?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom