pei precision
CGN Regular
- Location
- sault saint marie ON
reloading
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XCR 556 reloading
- Thread starter pei precision
- Start date
I've just begun reloading for my first AR-15 and it seems to like lighter loads more than heavier ones accuracy wise, below the minimum recommended powder charge in Hodgon's 2016 Reloading manual. I'd say start with the lowest charge that can reliably cycle the action and go from there. I like Varget and H322. (1/7, 14.5" barrel btw) Also, if you don't mind spending a bit of money I'd recommend trying Sierra's 69gr match bullets.
pei precision
CGN Regular
- Location
- sault saint marie ON
i have bullets from 55-80 grain on hand of course not going to be shooting 80s but just havent reloaded for a semi before so wondering if there is anything to avoid
55 gr hrndy fmjbt, 25 gr h335, primer; cci sr, brass; commercial (non military).
Rob arms states to use nato primers in reloads due to some past slam fires and detination out of battery. I use cci as they have the hardest cups commercially available. You might be taking a chance with Federal primers ( softest cups).
Rob arms states to use nato primers in reloads due to some past slam fires and detination out of battery. I use cci as they have the hardest cups commercially available. You might be taking a chance with Federal primers ( softest cups).
Many semi auto rifles will require the use of small base (SB) resizing dies to return the base of the casing the near the original dimension of factory ammunition. Due to the fast cyclic action of semi auto rifles this usually prevents malfunctions with regards to seating the rounds in battery and extraction due to the slightly smaller case dimensions. Some semi auto rifles may work OK with standard resizing dies. Phil.
Always full length size, and as Phil mentioned some rifles will need to use a small base sizing die. I've reloaded for more semi auto 223's than I can remember and have never needed small base dies for reliable function but I may have also just been lucky, you won't know till you try though so just make sure the case drops fully into the chamber and it should fall back out when you tip it muzzle up (a small amount of resistance is ok but you shouldn't need to ram it out with a cleaning rod).
I also prefer to use the Lee factory crimp die with my semi auto loads as well, you don't have to crimp but it's a good practice in an auto loader.
As for the actual reloading, I prefer a powder slightly slower than what I would use for a bolt action for the same projectile weight, it will help keep carrier speed down a little which is easier on the action and also helps reliability. Start low and work up slowly watching for pressure as you go just like a bolt action. The semi will be a little harder on brass than your bolt action so keep a close eye on it and don't worry too much if you get dents in your spent brass, it's usually just the shell deflector and the dents mostly come out in the sizing die. Some rifles are worse than others for the dents but I don't remember reading that the XCR's are overly hard on brass.
If you have them around try Nosler 60gr Varmageddon projectiles over CFE223, they've worked well together for me in a few different rifles. AR's are pretty easy to load for though, they are typically overgassed and bleed off excess gas once the bolt travels back in the carrier so they're pretty forgiving.
Good luck
I also prefer to use the Lee factory crimp die with my semi auto loads as well, you don't have to crimp but it's a good practice in an auto loader.
As for the actual reloading, I prefer a powder slightly slower than what I would use for a bolt action for the same projectile weight, it will help keep carrier speed down a little which is easier on the action and also helps reliability. Start low and work up slowly watching for pressure as you go just like a bolt action. The semi will be a little harder on brass than your bolt action so keep a close eye on it and don't worry too much if you get dents in your spent brass, it's usually just the shell deflector and the dents mostly come out in the sizing die. Some rifles are worse than others for the dents but I don't remember reading that the XCR's are overly hard on brass.
If you have them around try Nosler 60gr Varmageddon projectiles over CFE223, they've worked well together for me in a few different rifles. AR's are pretty easy to load for though, they are typically overgassed and bleed off excess gas once the bolt travels back in the carrier so they're pretty forgiving.
Good luck
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