Looking for .223/5.56mm Recipes

[theGinsue]

Let me first declare that I'm working with an unknown as far as the make of the bullet. I received these from my dad in a bulk bag with only the following for labeling: "5.56mm 55gr FMJ". I asked him about them and he bought them so long ago that he doesn't remember anything more about them.

What I'm looking for are recommendations for
(a) Powder type
(b) Powder load
(c) Case Length
(d) C.O.A.L

Here's what I've heard used and pro's/con's of these powders:
Varget - good but meters poorly
H4198 - clean burning
AA2015 - great accuracy
H335 - dirty but meters easy
W748 - no data
Accurate 2230 - no data

Here is what I have to work with (already have all of this so I'm not looking to change any of these items):

RA64 Brass (Remington Arms)
CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers
55gr FMJ 5.56mm bullets (unknown manufacturer - see pic)http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt65/theGinsue/556mmFMJ.jpg


I'm only looking to purchase 1 type of powder but I'll try a tight range on the charge, so please recommend a min and max charge. I'd also like to load some of these for my .223 bolt - Is this do-able?

So, let's hear it. What do all of you (especially those more experienced with .223/5.56 reloading) suggest?

[SA Friday]

Those look like Montana Gold 55gr FMJ's, but the pic lacks some detail and they could be just about anything.

25.0gr of Ramshot Tac
2.245 OAL

These work in everything I've tried them in with acceptable accuracy, better than factory. They should work in the bolt gun too. 25.0gr is max or near max for a 55gr bullet. Ramshot has their charts on line, so does Accurate.

TAC meters like water, clean burning, and just works. Last I checked, they had this in stock at Green Mtn.

Another option is AA2230 with 55gr bullets. It also works well, but TAC gave me a lot more accuracy. W748 gave me really good accuracy, but can be temp sensitive like any winchester powder.

Hoser uses a lot of TAC. Based on that I tried it. He was not wrong, and I figured he had played with pretty much everything else already.

[Tim K]

Those look very like what I use.

26g Varget, OAL 2.240".

Edit to add that I use a Dillon case gage for case length. Don't know the spec off the top of my head.

[SA Friday]

Std trim length is 1.75" if I remember right off the top of my head. I'll check and confirm when I can get to my cave.

[gnihcraes]

Alliant 10x powder, 23.0 grains, 55FMJ, books says 31xx fps. seems to work well. This powder extruded so it's a little tough to meter sometimes...

Reloder 10X (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/reloder10x.aspx) 23 3,159 - View this recipe (http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=2&weight=55&shellid=46&bulletid=89&bdid=270)

[Hoser]

Fill up a 223 case to the bottom of the neck with Varget. Stick any jacketed 55 gn bullet on top. Easy.

[theGinsue]

Thanks for the input folks.

I think I'll go with the Ramshot Tac this time and Varget next time (depending on availability of the Ramshot).

I'm almost done polishing my brass (no really, just the brass [ROFL1])- just over 1000 rnds done with about another 150 to go.

This wekend I'll de-prime, clean the case neck, and clean and uniform the primer pocket on all of these.

Getting closer to actually putting these rounds together.

[gnihcraes]

maybe this will give you some ideas... I had about 1500 brass to trim, and found this way was the quickest... I took apart my Lyman Univeral trimmer and put all the pieces in the drill press. Set and measured the depth gage. I was able to get through them all accurately in about an hour or so.

http://www.dcandh.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=488&g2_serialNumber=1

[theGinsue]

That sounds like a great idea, but you were actually able to accurately trim the cases without trimming too much? You've got more skill than I do because I guarantee I'd ruin 1/3 of the cases before I got the length right.

[Hoser]

I normally lose them before I have to trim them...

[gnihcraes]

That sounds like a great idea, but you were actually able to accurately trim the cases without trimming too much? You've got more skill than I do because I guarantee I'd ruin 1/3 of the cases before I got the length right.

Well, I had done a few before I realized the shell holder was a little bit off and it was cutting the ends at an angle instead of square. So after some adjusting all was good. I set the drill stop just right and made sure it didn't move. After testing a few and deburring them, everything turned out ok. Length was good. Checked a couple here and there throughout the trimming process and it worked well. I'll do it again if I have to on large numbers to be trimmed.

[theGinsue]

I was finally able to pick up a couple of RCBS #10 Shell Holders today. So I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend - de-priming/resizing 1500 pieces of .223 brass.

[gnihcraes]

Ginsue - how did the brass turn out?

Also to everyone else: Reloading 5.56. I couldn't find a thread related to this so I'll ask here since it seems to be on topic.

I have a bunch of ready to load PPU 5.56 Brass. I've weighed it compared with other normal brass and it is heavier. It does appear to hold about .5 to 1 grain less powder. (I can't find my paperwork at the moment where I wrote all this down) :( I might have to do it all again.

Anyone have some load data for 5.56? There isn't anything listed in the reloading manuals for it.

Thanks for any input.

[theGinsue]

Okay, so I've been VERY lazy and I'm only about 1/2 way through it.

I de-primed about 150 rounds this evening...I figure I'll trim it then re-tumble it, then I'll be ready to look for some Remshot TAC and start loading the stuff up.

I wish I could help on the 5.56 load info. I've never done .223 or 5.56 before so I'm in a learning process myself.

[tmckay2]

can anyone list the places they know where to get ramshot tac? seems its somewhat rare to find

[scratchy]

Ordered mine from Powder Valley. Even with hazmat, it was a good deal. Just get enough stuff to spread the $20 out.