Reloading .223 for AR's

[MikeBjerum]

Anyone have any experience in reloading 223 for an AR?

I've been told it takes special or different dies, but I haven't found anything in the limited manuals I have.  I also do not completely trust those telling me this.  I asked at a big box store I was at today, and of course all I need is the most expensive competition die set.

[Pecos Bill]

Anyone have any experience in reloading 223 for an AR?

I've been told it takes special or different dies, but I haven't found anything in the limited manuals I have.  I also do not completely trust those telling me this.  I asked at a big box store I was at today, and of course all I need is the most expensive competition die set.

The conventional wisdom is you need small base dies to get reloads to work in a semi-auto rifle. I don't find that necessary for my AR. Most will tell you that you need to full length resize your cases. What I usually recommend is to try full length resizing and if you have a problem with feeding then go to a small base sizing die. If no feeding problems, stay with that. Manufacturer doesn't seem to mean a lot but I do prefer Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, or Redding in no particular order.

Personally I neck size for my AR and have no feed or extraction problems but I keep the cases segregated and don't use them in any but my gun.

In conclusion go with what you got. If you still need to get dies go with a good set it's worth it.

Pecos, who hopes this helped.

[CJS3]

I shoot reloads almost exclusively. I've been using a set of Lee dies for a long time, and had no problems. I've also got RCBS dies that I inherited from my Father-in-Law. A few thousand rounds downrange with no problems. Of course, I'm not loading for "match ammo", so I've never bought anything special for .223 .

[tommy tornado]

Make sure the cases are lubed well without being over lubed.  I have had the most problems with 223 than my other reloading.  I have switched to spray lube because I was getting a lot of stuck cases using my lube pad.

[TAB]

Make sure the cases are lubed well without being over lubed.  I have had the most problems with 223 than my other reloading.  I have switched to spray lube because I was getting a lot of stuck cases using my lube pad.

Most guys I know that have probs with 223s don't sort the cases very well.  you really need to go thru them and sort them very well, paying very close attention to damage.  A little ding in the side of a straight walled case like the 223 can really get things stuck.

[Sponsor]

[Pecos Bill]

Most guys I know that have probs with 223s don't sort the cases very well.  you really need to go thru them and sort them very well, paying very close attention to damage.  A little ding in the side of a straight walled case like the 223 can really get things stuck.

Uhhh Tab, I just checked a factory 223 Rem case (Hornady TAP/FPD) and one of my handloads and my caliper shows the case to be tapered. Am I measuring them wrong or something? I was taught that all bottle necked cases were tapered. Perhaps I don't understand the meaning of the term "straight wall"?

I'm still learning I guess, Pecos.

[TAB]

I'm thinking the 223 alky improved.   I've been a little bit distracted as of late.

[tombogan03884]

I'm thinking the 223 alky improved.   I've been a little bit distracted as of late.

No ! You don't mean it TAB.   
Get used to it Pops.   

[TAB]

No ! You don't mean it TAB.   
Get used to it Pops.   

I've got 10 people showing up in about a hour.  Its been a f....k mad house here.  I finally turned the ringer off on the phone.   Yeah thats great, you called to say congrates... thanks sob you just woke my wife up.

[tombogan03884]

I've got 10 people showing up in about a hour.  Its been a f....k mad house here. I finally turned the ringer off on the phone.   Yeah thats great, you called to say congrates... thanks sob you just woke my wife up.

Thing that got me was it was  the female relatives, who should have known better.