5.56 loads in .223 brass
Can 68 to 80 grain bullets be used with .223 brass?
The Black Hills remanufactured (blue box) cases I want to use is headstamped Lake City, and marked on the box ends as .223, when it was loaded with 50 grain bullets. These cases weigh out a bit less than similarly cleaned & sized Remington or Federal commercial cases headstamped as .223.
The load tables I have for .223 pretty much end with 60 or 62 grain bullets, but the 5.56 NATO tables use 68 & beyond.
There've been many postings here about how .223 and 5.56 NATO are functionally equivalent (chamber sizes may differ slightly though cartridge sizes are the same) so I'm asking if it's wise to use the LC brass for 5.56 loads.
The Black Hills remanufactured (blue box) cases I want to use is headstamped Lake City, and marked on the box ends as .223, when it was loaded with 50 grain bullets. These cases weigh out a bit less than similarly cleaned & sized Remington or Federal commercial cases headstamped as .223.
The load tables I have for .223 pretty much end with 60 or 62 grain bullets, but the 5.56 NATO tables use 68 & beyond.
There've been many postings here about how .223 and 5.56 NATO are functionally equivalent (chamber sizes may differ slightly though cartridge sizes are the same) so I'm asking if it's wise to use the LC brass for 5.56 loads.
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If you are using this round and load in a bolt action rifle there should not be an issue. If you are going to put it into an auto loading rifle i would do a few more checks. My 2 cents. [8D]
Greg0 -
Lake City (LC) brass is primo brass. Normially you'd have to ream the primer pockets because of crimped in primers, but Balck Hills already did it for you. This brass is thicker than commerical brass, that means the same powder charge will raise pressure by about 10%, consiquently, start your reloads 10% below max according to your reloading manual. These cartridges will last for more reloads than any commercial stuff. Happy reloading!!
SEMPER FI MAC, SEMPER FI0 -
gap1916:
I'm reloading for AR's, looking to shoot 200 yards & beyond with the 75 grain Hornady & 80 grain Sierra BT's.
pack rat633:
So the LC brass was originally 5.56 NATO that Black Hill's recycles as .223? I knew about them taking the crimp out but in the absence of a headstamp & these cases actually weighing less than commercial .223 cleaned & sized brass, any additional information on loading for 5.56 NATO in these cases would be much appreciated.0 -
Most reloading manuals will address the differences in military and commercial brass. You should have at least two manuals for reference before starting to reload anyway. Normally, lighter brass is OK with loads developed in heavier brass. The commercial/nato issue has been addressed several times before.
Mobuck0
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