Reading up on loading .223 for our AR15s...

[Mikej]

I'm with the group, either CCI 400 or 450 will work with H 335. 450 magnum is recommended, but I use both with fine results. My favorite load is 25.0 gr. H335, 55gr. FMJBT, CCI 450/400 primer. Not picky about brass so much and never a slam fire of any kind. Good luck on this adventure!

This was my "Assumption", but I still like to run it past those with actual experience.
Thanks.

 

[Mikej]

I see TAC In stock all the time on various sites.

Now that it's been brought to my attention, maybe I'll look to pick some up.

 

[Local Loader]

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Now that it's been brought to my attention, maybe I'll look to pick some up.

X-Terminator is a good one for 223 as well. Western powder provides a load data chart for all their powders.

 

[RVTECH]

Now that it's been brought to my attention, maybe I'll look to pick some up.

Yea it meters very well - but I still hand weigh rifle charges but it still helps to use a fine powder so the powder measure handle operates smoothly - unlike with the coarser powders.

 

[Dark timber]

I don't think TAC is optimal for 55gr pills, though.

 

[Towhead]

I believe that the slam fire story is an old internet myth.
Not once in 15 years have I read a story of a slam fire.

Not.
Once.

Most likely it was a poorly seated primer.

 

[RVTECH]

I don't think TAC is optimal for 55gr pills, though.

I've been using it with 52, 53 & 55 grain HPBT match grade bullets and getting really good accuracy - and that's out of an NEF Handi Rifle which, well, probably ain't a shining example supreme accuracy but I am getting good results regardless.

 

[fstdraw]

I think I'll ask out of curiosity, anyone use X-Terminatior for 7.62x39? Results? Thank you.

 

[Local Loader]

I believe that the slam fire story is an old internet myth.
Not once in 15 years have I read a story of a slam fire.

Not.
Once.

Most likely it was a poorly seated primer.

Slam fires do happen to people it can happen even with factory ammo. I've never had it happen to me lucky but my cousin and one of his buddies has had it happen to them.

 

[RVTECH]

Slam fires do happen

I don't know if it was a 'slam fire' or just a POS SKS but I had a couple 'double taps' with one I once owned, for a short time only.

 

[arrowshooter]

I'm with the group, either CCI 400 or 450 will work with H 335. 450 magnum is recommended, but I use both with fine results. My favorite load is 25.0 gr. H335, 55gr. FMJBT, CCI 450/400 primer. Not picky about brass so much and never a slam fire of any kind. Good luck on this adventure!

Me too since day 1. 16" barrel = 2,825 FPS; 18" barrel = 3,018 FPS.

 

[JadeFox]

We like 3031; TAC; 335; 4064. Remarkable results with 62 gr bullet and 25 gr 4064. It works. Ran out of 335 and haven't seen it in a long time. Usually any good SRP is good. I like CCI and Winchester. We put a lot of effort into brass prep and that seems to matter.

 

[Greenbug]

YES!!!!

Spread the word far and wide that H4895 is no good for anything!
More for me!

 

[bellarum]

I load .223 with H335 and use Rem 7 1/2 and CCI 41s with zero issues.

 

[DizzyJ]

Your cci 41 will work fine.

 

[TDH]

CCI41s should work fine, I actually they are SRM primers with the anvil spaced differently or something odd. I use CCI450 SRM, because at one time they were always on the shelf, so I just standardize my rifle loads with them. I used to use CFE 223 for my 55gr, then I couldn't find it, so I started using 748 for general plinking. But I have heard that H335 is good stuff, load it and send it.

 

[Pepe-lepew]

H335 is good for making a large ball of flame in front of the muzzle. I was using it for cheap 55 bullets. It was ok but cycled the rifle weird. I have gone to 748 now.

I agree with Greenbug, H4895 is a horrible powder for anything. Seriously, save that for heavier match bullets, don't waste it on 55's.

I save my match primers and 41's for heavy bullets in 223 and use standard SRP for lighter bullet loads. I push the heavy bullets with more pressure.

I just seen a slam fire at a big match. Guy had his rifle out of his shoulder and hit the bolt release. Rifle fired and case landed at my feet. Instead of a firing pin dent, it had raised button the size of the firing pin hole and the primer felt high. I scored him a zero for that shot.

 

[Mikej]

We like 3031; TAC; 335; 4064. Remarkable results with 62 gr bullet and 25 gr 4064. It works. Ran out of 335 and haven't seen it in a long time. Usually any good SRP is good. I like CCI and Winchester. We put a lot of effort into brass prep and that seems to matter.

Any different prep than is normal for semi auto? I just walnut tumble. Decap/size/bump shoulder to unfired spec and tumble again to clean lube and re-shine. I'll seat to what ever the book says with an eye to length/mag fit relation.

YES!!!!

Spread the word far and wide that H4895 is no good for anything!
More for me!

LOL.....I've got several lbs of H-4895 that was for the Garand and Swede Mauser. It works okay in those but I think I'm preferring the IMR 4064. Plus the stick power is quite the PIA in the Uniflow measure. I don't the slow methodic loading method, but power crunching kinda' sucks. I may end up trading off the 4895.

 

[Pepe-lepew]

Any different prep than is normal for semi auto? I just walnut tumble. Decap/size/bump shoulder to unfired spec and tumble again to clean lube and re-shine. I'll seat to what ever the book says with an eye to length/mag fit relation.

LOL.....I've got several lbs of H-4895 that was for the Garand and Swede Mauser. It works okay in those but I think I'm preferring the IMR 4064. Plus the stick power is quite the PIA in the Uniflow measure. I don't the slow methodic loading method, but power crunching kinda' sucks. I may end up trading off the 4895.

I have over 16 lbs of the 4064 for my M1. I am using it to push 125's. It is a really good powder for that. If you ever want to trade for H4895, I would be game. I go through H4895 10x faster than 4064.

 

[Caveman Jim]

I'm surprised that no one suggested H322, I use it for heavier bullets like 62 & 69g, CFE223 is just for plinking. I still have IMR3031 from the early days of my reloading career.
Generally I use CCI400 for stick powder and CCI SRM for ball powder, just my preference and I back off 10% on the magnum charges.

Good luck with your plight.