I currently load about a dozen pistol/revolver calibers but I'm gonna start to reload 223 for my ar15 (colt 1/7 twist). I'm currently loading on a Lee classic turret press. What kind of dies should I get? I see full length dies and so on.... powder suggestions? Thanks!
Reloading 223 for my ar15, help!
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ar15- standard rifle dies full length- I've used lees all my life and had an a2 since 890 you may want to get a LARGER powder measure with a powder thru die - I got a Dillon powder reservoir as I found the lee wouldn't take as much - I was throwing 25 gr of ww748 under a 70 grain bullet for somewhere around 2500 fps- most of your bullets will be 55s which are ojk to be plinking with, but with the 1/7 twist and you want as much accuracy as you can go to at least a 62 grain bullet- the 55s are ok if you can buy in bulk,but don't expect great things from them- and don't forget to LUBE YOUR CASES
My current setup uses the Lee classic cast turret press (4 hole). I'm using Lee 223 dies (3 die set) which comprises of a FL, seating and factory crimp die.
The powder of choice for me is Varget 24gr with 55gr CamPro FMJ BT projectiles. I'm using range pickup brass, and Seller & Bellot small rifle primer.
For trimming, I use either the lee case gauge or the Lyman universal trimmer. I usually do about 20-40 brass at a time.
For lube, I use either Lyman case lube or the Lee case lube.
I also have a Lyman case gauge to ensure proper head space.'
I've used this load on a Windham MPC 16" and a Colt IUR 15.7" upper.
The powder of choice for me is Varget 24gr with 55gr CamPro FMJ BT projectiles. I'm using range pickup brass, and Seller & Bellot small rifle primer.
For trimming, I use either the lee case gauge or the Lyman universal trimmer. I usually do about 20-40 brass at a time.
For lube, I use either Lyman case lube or the Lee case lube.
I also have a Lyman case gauge to ensure proper head space.'
I've used this load on a Windham MPC 16" and a Colt IUR 15.7" upper.
i load .223 for my AR's on an RCBS single stage press with RCBS small base dies.
26.0gr of CFE223 under a CamPro 55gr FMJ-BT bullet. i am currently using Sellier&Bellot small rifle primers but will use whatever is cheapest.
for case lube i make the 'bootleg case lube' which is essentially the same as the Dillon case lube from what i was told but costs a lot less.
i use an L.E. Wilson case gauge and trim with a Giraud Tri-Way trimmer
26.0gr of CFE223 under a CamPro 55gr FMJ-BT bullet. i am currently using Sellier&Bellot small rifle primers but will use whatever is cheapest.
for case lube i make the 'bootleg case lube' which is essentially the same as the Dillon case lube from what i was told but costs a lot less.
i use an L.E. Wilson case gauge and trim with a Giraud Tri-Way trimmer
Yes they do. I use the FL die for AR ammo with a Lee classic turret press along with a double disk kit for the Pro Auto-Disk powder measure that came with it.
Biggest issue is stuck cases but by using a tumble lube method haven't had another one since.
For trimming I use a separate turret with a .223 quick trim die and deluxe cutter.
Average 12 seconds per case to trim to exact length with correct chamfer.
No noticeable difference between Campro or Hornady bullets other than 3X more for the Hornady.
For AR reloading, a FL die is what you need. A 3 die set will do.
I suggest you get the Lee autodrum as it is accurate in throwing charges.
I suggest you get the Lee autodrum as it is accurate in throwing charges.
I've experimented with just neck sizing 223 cases for my ARs. Out of the 50rnds I made up, there has been zero stoppages in the rifle that shot them originally. I haven't tried shooting them in another AR but it was just a test to see if there would be feeding issues. Sure was nice not to have to trim those 50 cases. lol
I was surprised at the accuracy of the Campro FMJ pills. They were shooting MOA and just as accurate as the Hornady FMJs. Surprisingly, the Campro bullets (grabbed a handful and checked 10 pills) were all within +/- 0.1gr of the 55gr. I saw more weight variance with the Hornady FMJs.
I haven't reloaded 223 plinking ammo in a while as I'm still working through my cases of Norc surplus.
That said, I've read that the Lee 223 FL dies are pretty much the same size as the RCBS AR Small Base dies, just a lot cheaper. I've had zero issues with my Lee dies.
I was surprised at the accuracy of the Campro FMJ pills. They were shooting MOA and just as accurate as the Hornady FMJs. Surprisingly, the Campro bullets (grabbed a handful and checked 10 pills) were all within +/- 0.1gr of the 55gr. I saw more weight variance with the Hornady FMJs.
I haven't reloaded 223 plinking ammo in a while as I'm still working through my cases of Norc surplus.
That said, I've read that the Lee 223 FL dies are pretty much the same size as the RCBS AR Small Base dies, just a lot cheaper. I've had zero issues with my Lee dies.
I've just started reloading .223 with my Lee LM and Lee dies. I started with 55gr Campros over 25.2 gr of Varget. This load works really well and is way more accurate than the surplus or Winchester white box I was using before. Note that I picked Varget because Lyman listed it as the most accurate at the load I'm using but I'd probably pick something that requires lighter loads (for the same fps) as the Varget pretty much fills the case at 26.5gr making it difficult to work the load up any higher.
Rickster66
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Varget, IMR3031, IMR4064, h335 and CFE223 is what I use for general use .223 rounds (55 gr). I use whatever I have or is on sale. All seem to work well. My longer range precision loads use 8208xbr (75 grains +). I use standard lee dies - full length and seater. I have never crimped and have had no issues. I use the Lee single stage press with redding dies for precision loads and Dillon 550 with lee dies for the bulk 55 grain loads. The dillon powder measure is accurate enough for the bulk rounds and don't find that my groups suffer that much. I've also used the lee powder measure with similar success. Considering that the 55 gr campro aren't really marketed as precision bullets I don't think that powder measuring is that critical if you're using those bullets and not going for smallest group size. Good everyday ammo and good enough for the short range competitions is shoot in.
The lee turret press is a great setup and used it for both pistol and .223 with great success. The brand of dies really won't matter much as long as you use full length ones. you can crimp or not. I've never noticed a difference between the two and just eliminated that stage with no issues.
The lee turret press is a great setup and used it for both pistol and .223 with great success. The brand of dies really won't matter much as long as you use full length ones. you can crimp or not. I've never noticed a difference between the two and just eliminated that stage with no issues.
Normally a standard full length die is all that is needed for the AR15 and brass fired in that rifle.
I buy a lot of once fired military Lake City 5.56 brass and all of it is sized first with a small base die to return it to minimum dimensions.
I have two AR15 rifles a A2 HBAR and a standard 16 inch carbine and a bolt action Savage .223 rifle so I use a wide range of powder based on bullet weight.
In my AR15s I use mostly H335 with 55 grain bullets and Varget with 69 grain bullets.
Bolt-actions, 25.0gr Varget (RCBS charge thrower/scale), velocity right at 2,990ish; wanted to break 3,000 but not worth worrying about. I was going to tell you you'd have to full-length resize all your empties, but I guess you don't - if you do end-up FL'ing them, I'd recommend buy a good, sturdy cast-iron single-stage; preferably used, they're cheap. The turret press will be great for all your other loading steps; I have a Lyman and I'm not sure I'd want to do FL sizing on it. My 2c' worth...
