.223 / 5.56 start point

[Bog Troll]

Hello,
I'm trying to find a good start point for a small game round for an AR. It doesn't have to cycle. A stove pipe failure to eject would actually be ideal for this round.
It's got an 18" barrel, non adjustable mid length gas block, , and a standard weight carbine buffer. I'll be loading a Lee C225-55-RF with GC, WW + tin (57gr actual) , LLA, and a standard primer. The end target range I'm looking for is between 1250 to 1400fps. I've got a good selection of powders to choose from, so I'm not concerned about a flavor recommendation. Any suggestions that you may have that would fit this speed range regardless of what type of shooter you use would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[Larry Gibson]

"The end target range I'm looking for is between 1250 to 1400fps."

Start at 2.5 gr Bullseye and work up to 3.5 gr.

[sigep1764]

Red Dot will also get you where you want to be.
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf
Scroll down to 223. What twist is the barrel? That will help determine what weight projectile you should be looking for.

[Chainsaw.]

4.0 grains of Titegroup will get you a real good start. Good bunny load.

[Bog Troll]

"What twist is the barrel?"

.223 Wilde 1:8

[Bog Troll]

sigep1764
I'm unable to get that link to work. It will load the cover of the book, but not move from it.

[Camper64]

The link points to a 422 page PDF file and may take some time to load due to your internet speed. You can download it overnight on a slower connection.

[Bog Troll]

Camper64
I'm able to load the PDF but I've only been able to scroll down 3 pages before the browser locks up. If you click on anything, it will lock up. The only way to close it out is manually in the task bar. All other open web pages still function fine once the PDF has been closed.

[sigep1764]

Huh, I use it all the time. Lets try it again.
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf

[sigep1764]

With a 1/8 twist, I would prolly stick to 55 grain boolits as the lower end of the spectrum. 62 or 67 might work better.

[GhostHawk]

Red Dot will also get you where you want to be.
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf
Scroll down to 223. What twist is the barrel? That will help determine what weight projectile you should be looking for.

A Thanks for the link. I have the manual, but it is handy as heck to have it as a PDF on my tablet as well.

B I have only played with the Lee 55 grain bator cast.
I had no issues working up 2 separate loads for small game, low noise rounds. One with gas check and one without.

Mine ended up at 7.5 gr with gas check, and 4.6 grains without gas check.
Both were as accurate as any .22lr I've ever shot, and about as quiet.

They will change your point of impact from factory loads zero'd at 100.

My notes indicate that the 7.5 gr load impacted 5" below POI.

All of those rounds fired if aimed at a squirrels eye from 50 to 100 yards would leave you with a dead squirrel.

I'll admit the 4.6 gr load was designed pretty much for .22lr replacement.
Low cost, low noise, no fussing with gas checks.

That 4.6 grain load gets you 1500 rounds per pound of powder at 0.0163 cents per load. Figure a 3 cent primer and a penny for lead and its in the .22lr ball park cost wise.

I shot all mine with a H&R Single Shot. In an AR I'd either turn off the gas or disable it. Turn it into a straight pull bolt action.

Best of luck to you.

[Bog Troll]

GhostHawk
What powder are you making reference to?

[Bog Troll]

sigep1764
Thank you for posting that link. I still had no luck on my comp. My wife suggested trying on my phone, and made for a 3 second down load.

[sigep1764]

Sweet. Its nice to have that info available. I ventured into casting for rifle about a year ago with 270Win. Needed to get practice behind a centerfire and didn't want to buy factory ammo. So far, the Lee 277-135 is shooting the best with 10 grains of Red Dot. Just found my unicorn mold, a 280468 Ideal. Its a Loverin design and im gonna cast some tmro. I then headed towards feeding the AR's with cast, an MP 227-77 Nato mold. Using 15.5 grains of Win 748 in that and getting good accuracy and no leading. Prolly go through a 500 round test on Monday. Once you learn a couple cast pistol loads, the learning curve for rifles is much less daunting.