[ChrisZ]

With prices continuing to climb I think I've made the decision to get back into reloading after a long absence. I bought a Barnes Precision AR earlier this year and that thing likes to eat (but it sure is fun). I have an ex-SF buddy who prefers 5.56 NATO but the rifle chambers both 5.56 and .223 so I have both types of brass. I understand that there is some subtle difference in the shoulder between the two, hence my question.

Also, does any one have a favorite load they'd like to share? Thank you!

 

[Zbizzle911]

Yes. And yes. I use 24 gr of H335 with a fmj 55 gr bullet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk or some other crappy forum app.

 

[ChrisZ]

Thank you very much! Which loader do you prefer? I'm going single stage. RCBS or Lee?

 

[Gtownwrench]

Thank you very much! Which loader do you prefer? I'm going single stage. RCBS or Lee?

Either will work just fine. Hurry up and get to laoding. Now is not the time to wait.

 

[cranbiz]

Lee Classic press. Works well, costs little.

Get a good swaging tool if you will use military brass, they have crimped primers and you need to take the crimp out to reuse the brass. It sucks to de-crimp with a lousy tool.

Lee zip trim, case length gauge, scale and a set of Harbor Freight calipers.

I use 25gns of WC844/H335 with the 55gn FMJBT.

 

[nukeman]

62grn SS109 bullet over 24 grn of 2230.

 

[nbkky71]

My plinking ammo is:

62gr FMJ
24gr WIN748
CCI400 primer
mixed brass
2.25" OAL

These are all service rifle loads that I compete(d) with:

Sierra 77gr MK (0-300yds)
24.0gr Varget
CCI400 primer
USGI brass
2.25" OAL

Sierra 80gr MK (600 yards)
24.5gr Varget
CCI400 primer
Winchester brass
seated .015" off the lands

Berger 82gr MT (600 yards)
24.3gr Varget
CCI 400 primer
USGI brass
seated .030" off the lands

**WARNING** the Berger 82gr load is on the warm-side in my rifle. I need to use a carrier weight in the BCG of my AR15 or it starts to show pressure signs.

I load all my 63gr plinking ammo on a Dillon 550 progressive. My match ammo is generally loaded on a single stage press, but this year I loaded all my 77gr ammo on the Dillon progressive too. However, all the case prep was done using a single stage press.

 

[ChrisZ]

Thank all of you very much. This is valuable info coming from the people who walk the walk!

 

[backwoodsshooter]

Only difference between NATO brass and commercial is NATO brass has less volumetric space(correct me if I'm wrong please), they are a "stronger" brass. Load use the same amount of powder on all my brass for 308/7.62x51, and 223/556.

62gr FMJ
Mixed brass.
CCI small rifle non magnum primer(I think 400.)
24.6-.7 grs of CFE 223
2.260COAL +/- .005-.01

I load batch ammo so I'm not worried that every single round is the same specs, I give alittle way on the powder drop(with .1-.2 gr) and the combined overall length(.005-.010)

Now loading for my 700 BDL I load them as precise as I can.

I love CFE223, and have used varget(it's my back up), and have used IMR4695(iirc) and hated it. Hope that helps.

I load all my stuff on a lee single stage. I use http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp for my load chart.

 

[Pumpkinslinger]

Just my two cents... I started off with RCBS and have never had a problem in 35+ years. A buddy bought a Lee and, after loading a box of .30-06, decided to buy an old RCBS singe stage press from me. He had a heck of a time trying to size the brass with the Lee. Now he sizes with the RCBS and uses the Lee for seating bullets.

 

[cranbiz]

I have absolutely no problem resizing brass on my Lee. I reload 30-30 and .223. Properly set up the die, add a little lube when full length sizing and pull the handle.

 

[mulletmaster]

If you are going single stage I would get the Lee Classic Cast press (I have a Lee Classic turret which can be made into a single stage FWIW).