Reloading 5.56 ?

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  • PeterJ

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    Dec 8, 2019
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    Covington, LA
    I want to reload 5.56 for my AR. However; I haven’t found any recipes. I can find 223 with the 77gr SMKs I would like to use but no 5.56 info. Does everyone just load the 223 recipes and purchase 5.56?
     

    Gator 45/70

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    I want to reload 5.56 for my AR. However; I haven’t found any recipes. I can find 223 with the 77gr SMKs I would like to use but no 5.56 info. Does everyone just load the 223 recipes and purchase 5.56?

    What? Best get a book or a class....If it was me just starting out...and kinda doubt for liability reason's no one is actually going to post load data for you....
     

    DAVE_M

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    Apr 17, 2009
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    You won’t really find 5.56 load data.

    There are enough .223 loads designed to run in .223 Wylde chambers that you don’t need to be concerned with loading 5.56 specifically.

    FWIW, there are tons of threads on making clone Mk262 .223 ammunition.
     

    highstandard40

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    Apr 14, 2009
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    I don't have any published data for Sierra bullets but the eight edition Hornady loading manual has 223 data and also a section on 223 "service rifle" data for 75 and 80 grain bullets. The seventh edition Nosler loading manual has 5.56 Nato data and lists loads for 77/80 grain bullets.
     

    DAVE_M

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    I don't have any published data for Sierra bullets but the eight edition Hornady loading manual has 223 data and also a section on 223 "service rifle" data for 75 and 80 grain bullets. The seventh edition Nosler loading manual has 5.56 Nato data and lists loads for 77/80 grain bullets.

    You can load 75/77gr, but 80gr is typically too long for AR magazines.
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    Dec 31, 2013
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    Hammond, Louisiana
    What highstandard40 said.
    And I do fit into that bill of loading .223 and buying 5.56, but maybe for different reasons than others.
    I’ve done a couple heavy .223 loads (mostly 75-77gr) because it definitely works for me on a savings scale and I can load the match bullet I want that gives me nearly the same results as the $1/round ammo in a few of my longer range AR’s. Hornady bullets and Hodgdon powder for me. I’ve also loaded at least a few hundred rounds of heavy hunting rounds for pigs and such if I choose to carry a AR type rifle in the field. Mind your barrels if you go that route. I like the .223 Wylde when straying from the standard M4.

    I only load .223 brass because I don’t care to fool with crimped primers and the extra time involved in loading 5.56 brass. I also don’t cut and resize .223/5.56 brass for my 300 BLK rifles for about the same reason, time and trouble. But I’m not all bad, as I generally donate and sometimes trade my 5.56 brass.

    When it comes to plinking/defensive ammo I usually buy bulk 5.56 in XM855 or 193 although I haven’t bought any in a while due to prices. I’ve paid as little as 16cents per round for that, albeit years ago. I shoot a lot of 9mm and .40 S&W and also don’t routinely load that, although I used to load my own 9mm subs before I could find it as cheap as it has been the last few years. My magic number seems to be about 35-60 cents per round (depending on which ammo) before I’ll commit to loading my own. Even if I want a few thousand rounds. One day I’ll likely have to start buying 7.62x51 and may start loading for the AR10 rifles if I don’t find it cheap enough.
     

    gwpercle

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    Feb 20, 2013
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    Baton Rouge, LA.
    The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading 8th Edition has a section titled
    223 Remington Service Rifle Data , it is geared strictly for AR-15 rifles .
    The powders , primers and bullets in this section were all developed and tested in AR-15 service rifles ...might be something to check out .
    Gary
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    163   0   0
    Dec 31, 2013
    9,360
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    Hammond, Louisiana
    The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading 8th Edition has a section titled
    223 Remington Service Rifle Data , it is geared strictly for AR-15 rifles .
    The powders , primers and bullets in this section were all developed and tested in AR-15 service rifles ...might be something to check out .
    Gary

    +1
     

    altimar

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    Jul 30, 2008
    98
    8
    Lafayette
    Hornady10 has 5.56

    Hornady-X-5-56-73-75gr.jpg


    Hornady-X-5-56-80gr.jpg
     

    EdRodriguez

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    Jun 13, 2020
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    Tickfaw
    - - - Updated - - -

    Check the twist on your barrel before thinking about reloading that bullet weight. You need a tight (1:7) twist to stabilize that bullet.
     

    jimdanos

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    Mar 27, 2013
    195
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    Lafourche Parish
    I don't have any published data for Sierra bullets but the eight edition Hornady loading manual has 223 data and also a section on 223 "service rifle" data for 75 and 80 grain bullets. The seventh edition Nosler loading manual has 5.56 Nato data and lists loads for 77/80 grain bullets.

    The Sierra website usually has load data for their bullets.
     
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