Setting dies for for ar-15 in .223/5.56?

jbird22cal

I started with Varget for the .30-.30 based on the stability of the powder and it's versatility in other cartridges, When I used it in my .30-.30 Marlin, (different rate of twist than a 94 if I remember correctly) I found I could not get the velocity I required near the top loads. It gave me accuracy around 1900-1950 fps with my Hornaday 150gr RN. I am now fine fine tuning around 2100-2200 fps with Reloader 15 with the same bullet, I am around 2 inch group at 100 yards. I also chose to go with Varget originally because it seemed to behave close to WIN 748 which works well with the .223. I will start there. I find it to be a good consistent powder so far and flows well through my Pact Trickler. I may even give it a shot in my .300 Win Mag.

My purpose is trying to find universal powder is simply if found I can purchase kegs instead of one pound lots. Avoiding the lot to lot consistency issues that seems to be noted among many powders.

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the Varget for .223

Arron

Well you are right, but yes you are taking things a "touch" far though there is no reason not too. If you are just wanting "dirt clod Safari" ammunition then you really do not need to worry about sorting by weight or headstamp other than to sort Mil from Comm. And as far as finding the powder that will be good for everything, you kind of need to forget it. Each caliber will have different burn traits and such so they most likely will not like the same powder/bullet/case/primer/overall length/length of case you name it. But again if you are looking for a "clod safari load" then there is no reason not to do it this way. But if you really want to go for accuracy and my prayers are for ya' if you do as it is a bad thing when you start to hunt, THE LOAD. Then you will find that one rifle will like one powder more than another for whatever reason. Though the rifle one serial number from yours likes one powder, your's most likely will not, or it may love it or just do OK. That is why this get's very frustrating, but it is SO MUCH FUN!!!!

jbird22cal

I agree, as I spend time, trying to build an all purpose rife and then end up with one setup for specific tasks, It can be upsetting... But It is fun and who in here doesn't like fun and a new gun. (I'm single yet, so I got to get while the gettins to be got)

Thanks for your advice, I will have a talk with my stubborn German American self and re-evaluate my theories on your sound advice. I am kind of taking a more match ammo approach to the brass sorting and am going to some extreme. I sometimes forget K.I.S.S. But I do believe in caution, so I have a tendency to err on the side of safety. I'll look into it.

I understand that there is a great possibility of one powder may not function perfectly in multiple firearms just like one bullet may not. The one type of powder is a general Idea for as you say Dirt Clod Safari loads if I was not lucky enough to have two of my guns like the same powder. ("All a steer can do is try") I don't want to buy powders that I can't burn up in another cartridge if it doesn't pan out thus giving me some bang for my buck. (partial pounds of powder are somewhat hard to liquidate at a efficient price in my shooting circle).

As far as the topic .223 Rem. Loads I am trying. I would hope most powders will achieve what I'm trying to do, hit a target on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Give me an opportunity to practice with one AR in particular (trigger time) and help me sort through my reloading processes for efficient loading of lots larger than 20 rounds all at a cost efficient way of doing things.

I am planning on trying Barnes 3X in my AR, Perhaps at the levels of 5.56. and at the cost of those little buggers, I will go for the most accuracy I can get. I am also going to try to build ammo accurate enough for prairie dog ammo using a different bullet. So all of this will be a learning experience. These two loads are a different ducks, I will research different powders but will start with already stocked components if possible.

At this time, I am not trying to get less than 2 MOA Groups at 100 Yards with most of my hunting guns. My 22-250 is a different story and I will play for 1 MOA at 200 yards. Something I don't believe the Barrel/Chamber combination can even achieve. But I can still try and either achieve my goal or have a great time burning up that stupid 1/14 twist barrel. (I've got an ER Shaw bbl. all picked out.)

Arron

1 in 14? Try the 52gr match bullets. I have loaded some for my Handi-Rifle but not worked up anything "serious" yet. I have the same rate in that single shot. Do not discount it just yet. And from some personal experience the .22-.250Rem is a fantastic cartridge and worthy of alot more game(bigger) than most would believe, but then that gets into ethical and legal debates for another time. Oh and you allready gt that bug so just it infect you and be done with it you will be surprised how fast yuo can go through 7000gr of powder. Oh and I was wondering if the Badger plant was still operational looked to be in a sad state of affairs when we drove by it, on the first of Nov. As a sidenote iIwas reloading .22-.250 with H380 for some time until I ran out. Seemed to work very well, and it ran through the Lyman 55 very nicely. OK I need to go to bed now. Give me a call sometime and we will shoot the breeze a bit or for some who know the lingo "rag chew" for awhile. You still have my mobile number right? If not send me a PM and I will give it to you again.