Gun Zone Deals

First .223 Rounds - 55gr FMJ-BT with H4895

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Rathmatik

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 25, 2019
    116
    11
    Dallas
    Howdy,

    I posted awhile back with my first 9mm rounds, and so far have reloaded 250 of those and all worked well. I just recently got 223 dies, bullets, and powder. Here's my test loads that I'm starting with:

    Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT bullets
    Hodgdon H4895 powder
    2.20" COL
    5 rounds with PPU cases @ 21.0gr
    5 rounds with FC cases @ 23.0gr

    I chose H4895 since it is so versatile and allows for 60% reduced loads. The starting load is 25.0gr with these bullets, and 26.0gr max. So, I could go down to 26.0 x 60% = 15.6, but I decided to start with 21.0 (since 223 doesn't even have much recoil anyway). I'm planning to load 30-06 in the near future too, so this will be nice for range rounds with less recoil.

    I'm excited to try these out and do some more testing with 23.5, 24.5 and 25.5 loads or something of that sort.

    Please let me know how these look! I did a light crimp as well (Lee die sets ftw). I got a tumbler too now, so working on getting better results in the future, but these turned out clean and relatively shiny... using Nu Finish with walnut media.

    upload_2019-12-7_14-33-32.png
    Hurley's Gold
     

    Attachments

    • upload_2019-12-7_14-33-32.png
      upload_2019-12-7_14-33-32.png
      1,014 KB · Views: 617

    Rathmatik

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 25, 2019
    116
    11
    Dallas
    An AR-15, and I believe 21gr should cycle fine from what I’ve read. We shall see. Is that what you were getting at?
     

    Dawico

    Uncoiled
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Oct 15, 2009
    38,007
    96
    Lampasas, Texas
    An AR-15, and I believe 21gr should cycle fine from what I’ve read. We shall see. Is that what you were getting at?
    When someone asks about autoloaders and reloads I always assume they are looking at the crimp.

    Crimp isn't necessary if you have proper neck tension.

    They look fine to me and the 4895 powders work very well in autoloaders.
     

    Deavis

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Oct 20, 2011
    827
    26
    Austin
    An AR-15, and I believe 21gr should cycle fine from what I’ve read. We shall see. Is that what you were getting at?

    Yes, reduced loads down into the 15gr territory aren't going to cycle a normal gun but as long as your expectations are set correctly then good choice on the powder for you. At that point if you want reduced or subsonic, there are cheaper alternatives you could use instead of that powder. Reloaders are cheap right?

    Since it was brought up, if it has a cannelure, crimp into it. If not, make the mouth straight to minus .001". Light crimp, heavy crimp, just crimp it at least .003" under and you will get the lock you are looking for.
     

    Rathmatik

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 25, 2019
    116
    11
    Dallas
    Yes, reduced loads down into the 15gr territory aren't going to cycle a normal gun but as long as your expectations are set correctly then good choice on the powder for you. At that point if you want reduced or subsonic, there are cheaper alternatives you could use instead of that powder. Reloaders are cheap right?

    Since it was brought up, if it has a cannelure, crimp into it. If not, make the mouth straight to minus .001". Light crimp, heavy crimp, just crimp it at least .003" under and you will get the lock you are looking for.

    Ah yes, these bullets have a cannelure and I used the Lee crimp die on each one.

    I just tested these out a couple days ago and they all cycled fine and had pretty nice accuracy, so I’ll continue testing and see what I can get away with.
     
    Top Bottom