5.56 vs .223

[toddrod]

I am a newbe to this caliber. Is there a difference when it comes to loading this round between the 5.56 and .223?

What is a good cheap bullet to use. Montana Gold has a case of 3500 for $239.

Anybody willing to post some recipes that will work in an AR consistantly? this will be used just for plinking to start.

From my calculations, using free range brass and Montana Gold bullets, I should be able to load 1000 rounds of .223 for about $161.

Brass - free
Bullets - $239 / 3500 bullets
Powder - $18/lb
primers - $29/1000

I know I could probably do better on the price if I really looked around.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

 

[artabr]

Find the powder you like, Varget works good for me.
It all depends on bullet wt. and what your rifle likes and barrel twist.
Order or buy in 4 or 8 pound jugs. Buy your primers in 5000 case lots. This will cut your cost.

Mark Waggenspack has some good prices. He is a sponsor here.

http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=81

Art

 

[toddrod]

Waggenspack is were I get all my powder from.

It is just that all I have never loaded is straight walled 9mm, 40, 45 pitol cases. Rifle rounds are new to me. I have all the reloading data at home and on the powder makers homepages.

So is there a difference between 5.56 NATO and .233?

 

[dmiculek]

pm sent

 

[McMedic]

Brass - free

I'd love to know where you are getting that!

A good up to date reloading manual is a NECESSARY investment for a reloader. That will answer nearly all of your questions.

 

[scooterj]

PM sent

 

[toddrod]

Free brass = keeping an eye out at the ranges I shoot at. It may take a while to accumulate 1000 pieces, but it is possible. I also am willing to barter or trade. Example, I make my own smoked beef jerky that I sell to my fellow coworkers. I sometimes trade with them for an item of equal value to what I sell the jerky. I also have all the equipment to process wild game, including a large smoker, and I can make almost any kind of smoke sausage, salami or summer sausage. I trade my services and use of my equipment for a small portion of the finished product. I am willing to do the same for shooting products. You just have to be creative.

Donnie and Scooter - I will definitely be talking to you more as I progress in this. Can you PM your phone numbers so that I may call you with questions or maybe go watch you do some reloading.

 

[dzelenka]

Todd,

I assume that you are loading ball for plinking/casual shooting. If so, you should try H335. It really works well with light bullets (40 - 60 gr). If you load heavier bullets, Reloader 15 and Varget are good, but Varget is a bit on the dirty side. If you need any advice PM me.

Word of caution, be careful picking up range brass. It isn't too bad if you pick up once fired. However, picking up brass that has been previously reloaded can be dangerous. For instance, I only leave brass at the range when I deem it not safe to be loaded again. I am sure others do the same.

Dan

 

[artabr]

Todd,

I assume that you are loading ball for plinking/casual shooting. If so, you should try H335. It really works well with light bullets (40 - 60 gr). If you load heavier bullets, Reloader 15 and Varget are good, but Varget is a bit on the dirty side. If you need any advice PM me.

Word of caution, be careful picking up range brass. It isn't too bad if you pick up once fired. However, picking up brass that has been previously reloaded can be dangerous. For instance, I only leave brass at the range when I deem it not safe to be loaded again. I am sure others do the same.

Dan

+1 on Dan's post.
If you know for a fact that the rifle brass is once fired, I'd say go ahead and pick it up. Other than that I'd leave it.
Pistol brass is different in my eyes, lower pressures, longer life.
Yes, I am a brass whore.



Art

 

[sawman]

Find everything you want to know about the differences between 223 and 5.56 here.

Follow the links on the left side.

 

[howellusn]

Hell I may start collecting brass at our range days for this purpose