Can of .223 & 5.56 worms. Let’s open it.

Pogue

Pogue

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This subject is more debated then Dukes vs Hellmann’s (Dukes for the win of course 🤣)

When reloading the two, do you separate the two headstamps and load to different specs?

There’s old claims of decreased volume in 5.56 cases due to the supposed extra brass thickness

Pressure difference arguments despite different measuring locations and equipment used for the official specs.

Ran across this vid on the subject


Assuming there was a difference i guess the safe bet would be to load everything to .223 specs and sacrifice a little performance.

What do you guys think or do? This will be for a rainy day stash more so than plinking.
 
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If you load 5.56 at max, you might not want to shoot it in a .223 rated gun. Pretty sure the brass is the same and the leade is different.

Better to store components than to load generic ammo for storage IMO.
 
Ok, I'll bite...
Debate as in ..Mayo, Reloading presses (Dillon / Hornady / LEE ), Ford / Chevy.. Fry your Turkey or Bake it..and so..on..

Separate brass...
Yes..Military (crimped primers) vs. Commercial
Mainly because to deal with crimp removal. And also keep an eye out for Federal cases due to lose primer pockets. But .. i do separate military from Commercial when reloading ..( habit )

As far as case capacity.. .there's really not that much difference. In some cases the Military case have a slightly larger capacity (H2O) than Commercial brass. Check out Accurate shooters forum ( which goes into case weight / case capacity ) or

5.56 vs 223 Case Capacity - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.
www.ar15.com www.ar15.com

Or.
www.shootersforum.com

223/5.56 loading data

www.shootersforum.com www.shootersforum.com
Interesting read check out post #3 and #35

Case capacity is more of an issue with 308 / 7.62 and Commercial 30.06 / 30.06 Military

Loading wise ..gas guns is basically the data provided for the AR platform. I do cross check the data provided for non AR. Look at powders, bullets as I still have AR'S and barrels with 1/12 twist, the barrels here range from 1/14 - 1/7. So there are many platforms, Ruger Mini-14, Bolts ( an ole Rem 788 also), HK-93, AUG, Krink, and the AR. Still have some WC-844 powder ..from the days of cheap Mil pull down. That's an whole other discussion, lot numbers, burn rates, etc.

Pressure measurements are done different ways. I do read them and how the data was arrived at. And yes Commercial is loaded at one pressure where as Military is another. (higher)
There is plenty nfo out there on how the military / NATO arrives at the numbers vs. Saamii

Then you got "chambers" 223, 5.56, Wylde, I know which of my firearms are standard "223 chambers" ..there are also chamber drawings out there that show it and give dimensions.

Plus I have 2 different ammo checkers.
223 and 5.56...they do come in handy.

There is a lot of reading on the 223 / 5.56 cartridge cases, chambers, twist rates, etc.

By no means am I an expert, or anything, just read, test, and take notes..

And.....Dukes for the win...

-Snoopz
 
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I took time to measure case capacity of 223 vs 556 once. I found that it was more of a difference between headstamps than it was military vs commercial. There was one commercial headstamp that weighed more and had less case capacity than LC military brass. (I can’t remember which one now). So as far as I am concerned, that one was a myth.

All of my guns in those calibers are 556, except one that is 223 Wylde. I always start with 223 data. In one instance I did take it above max published data for 223 (by 0.3gn).
 
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falconew said:
This is all you need to do for 223/556. Pick whatever powder you like. Dump it in. Crunch the powder as the projectile goes in. SHOOT IT. View attachment 721461
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Ah man...you saw my video on how to reload 223 / 5.56. My secret is out. Its fast / effective and one size fits all..approach. where primers, cases, bullets, scales don't matter...
Sounds like a thing off of "Whose line is it Anyway"..

-Snoopz
 
Toprudder said:
You guys laugh, but I believe if you use Varget powder, as long as you can seat the bullet it will work. “Varget crunch”.
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I seem to remember trailboss being the same. Fill up the case, dump out enough to seat the bullet. On just about any caliber.

But I could be wrong..
 
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1075tech said:
You don't want that old thing anymore, do you?
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Man I love that gun, pretty much some of my other toys, bought it new long ago, for an unheard of price.
It has a. ole Redfield 3x9 scope on it. "Loves" Sierra 52gr HPBT bullets, LC brass, CCI-400, IMR-4895..don't remember the charge off hand, its in my log book, not to shabby with 50gr Blitz, some Bergers of that weight range. Its not a bench rest gun but it sure is accurate, in great condition.for a cheap gun the action is pretty smooth. Ill take a pic of it and post in this thread

-Snoopz
 
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Kspainhour said:
I seem to remember trailboss being the same. Fill up the case, dump out enough to seat the bullet. On just about any caliber.

But I could be wrong..
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Pretty much correct. But, DO NOT COMPRESS or bad things may happen - or so I have heard. Fill up the empty space just up to the base of the bullet.


clay_fv said:
I believe I agree. All my 308 loads seem to be limited by how much powder I can get in the case.
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Well, I guess I should have said that I was talking about 223.
 
Toprudder said:
Pretty much correct. But, DO NOT COMPRESS or bad things may happen - or so I have heard. Fill up the empty space just up to the base of the bullet.



Well, I guess I should have said that I was talking about 223.
Click to expand...
I think it goes the same for the long bullets, but not sure with a smaller one. Never tried it!
 
First of all, Dukes > Hellmans, this we can agree upon!

I dont bother sorting cases by headstamp any longer, unless its to cull the FC and Win cases after a few firings to set aside for my Ptr93 for their final go.

Each case gets the same treatment; primer du jour, 25g of h335, and a Hornady 55gr FMJ seated to the cannalure.

My steel targets at 100yd dont know the case brands.
 
I only sort .223/5.56 brass when I want to believe I have given my all in pursuit of precision.

I have barrels stamped 223Rem, Wylde, and 5.56 I've shot commercial 5.56 and handloaded 5.56 loads in all of them without issue. I'm not going to say 5.56 is fine in every .223rem chamber, but if it is an issue it'll show its hot in the fired brass not blow the gun.
 
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