.223 / 5.56 question

[Guy Miner]

OK - after shooting a small mountain of 5.56 over the decades - I'm finally starting to load my own:

69 gr Nosler Custom Competition HPBT bullets
Varget
CCI 400 small rifle primers
Lake City 5.56 brass

Primer pockets have had the crimp reamed out.

When I look at load data, I see 24 - 26 grains of Varget is recommended. No mention of the case. I believe (but don't know) that the 5.56 Lake City brass is a little thicker/heavier than the commercial .223 brass, and may well have less case capacity.

Do you recommend dropping below the recommended 24 grain minimum charge?

This is for the 16" AR-15. All I've done so far is load up a few dummy rounds to check for function through the magazine and chamber. They feed and eject just fine.

Thanks! Guy

 

[257 Ackley]

Guy -
I'm using 24.5 grains of Varget in my gas gun with good old Remmy brass. Not sure how the volumn is compared to LC brass, but that has been a nice accuracy load for mine.
Cheers

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I think you'll be fine by starting at 24

 

[35R]

I have used up to 27grs of Varget in my .223Rem Bolt gun and Rem brass loading Speer 70grs semi spitzer bullets without any pressure signs. However, this particular rifle likes 24.7grs of Varget.

On my 16" barrel AR-15 I am using 25grs of Varget and 55grs FMJs on LC brass as a plinking load.

I think you should be OK using 24grs as a start upcharge and work up from there.

35R

 

[onesonek]

Running LC brass here, starting loads were fine. However, it did reach max prior to manual. Likely a combination of the capacity and chamber, being .2 gr, difference on the Savage and Encore, but topped out a good 1/2 gr. under listed max. But starting loads of Benchmark and Varget were fine. Haven't tried in the new DMPS as of yet.

 

[Guy Miner]

Thanks guys - haven't had time to load any actual rounds yet, just the dummies to test for cycling.

Maybe in a few days.

Guy

 

[CMBTshooter]

I used 24 grains of TAC, which is max for 60 grain bullets. I used LC brass no problem but I have a 20 inch barrel with a rifle length gas system.

 

[RiverRider]

I just happen to have my handload log open and I just happen to have recorded some weight data on some 5.56 brass a few years ago:

FC 96.1
LC92 91.2
Winchester 92.3

Based on weight, I don't believe that Lake City 5.56 brass has reduced capacity compared to commercial .223 brass. On the other hand, I necked down a bunch of LC 7.62 brass to .243 Winchester and I found the LC brass held up to four grains less water than the commercial .243 brass I had on hand!

 

[Wincheringen]

Case capacity being smaller in military cases is only true with 7.62x51. I've measured it in .223 and 30-06 and found no significant difference between commercial and military brass.

 

[Guy Miner]

Good info - thanks! I'm well stocked with 5.56 brass for now. Likely enough for a long time!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Guy, I've also weighted LC brass to compare it to the commercial stuff.
My experience mirrors RR, LC was lighter the FC brass and in the same general weight range as most commercial brass.