simple brass question needs an answer

~Mr. Colt .45~

ok, lets say i go to the range and pick up all kinds of 223 and 5.56 brass off the ground. i have lee 223 dies. can i load them the same and shoot them in my AR? or do i need to sort them out and load them to different specs? i know 223 dies work for both. just need to be sure before i get started. i would be using a 55gr bullet using 23 grs on IMR 4064. thanks.

bambambam

That's a good question. I'd like to know the answer as well. I'm goin to have to watch this thread for the answer.[^]

sandwarrior

I've done that for years loading them to one spec out of my 5.56. I'm more concerned about function and actually getting the performance listed. I've done the same when producing bulk ammo for my .223's, but those are downloaded from the 5.56 loads.
Edit:
Keep in mind the 5.56 has some leeway when it comes to high pressure that the .223 doesn't.


For accuracy, it's best to start with a 'set' of brass that are closely matched to begin with. It's going to be a long week if you are trying to find a middle ground for range brass. Start with one brand and sort them. Or just buy some Norma or Lapua, load and shoot.
I do that for my precision .223 rifle.

In summary, if you keep the loads reasonable for either chambering, range brass is fine for function. Keep one set of brass for loading your accuracy loads. Then you can load them up where they need to be and still get a lot of accuracy out of them. I do this in two different rifles. It's pointless to waste your precision barrel with junk ammo. It's not much, but it's wear you don't need to put on it.

BGHillbilly

If your reloading general purpose ammo treat them all the same and make life simple especially if it is mostly for plinking.

If your after accuracy then follow sandwarriors plan, sort the brass by brand and lot, pick the biggest group, trim to uniform length and sort by weight to get a uniform batch.

Ambrose

As another suggestion: You might try one of the ball powders as opposed to IMR4064. Accurate Arms 2230, Winchester 748, Hodgdon 335 come to mind. Those powders, are very suitable for the .223/5.56 and run through powder measures with little variation in weight. The long, thin kernels of IMR4064 always give me trouble from a measure.

jonk

Military brass is a tad heavier/thicker; stay away from max loads and you should be just fine. The .223 die WILL turn all of it into .223 externally.

I have done lots of range pick up and loading in all calibers, and have no issue mixing brass for blasting ammo. For serious shooting I do segregate and weigh.

62fuelie

As has been said, the use of mixed brass is more dependent on the chamber it is going to be fired in than on the casing itself. I have a 5.56 chamber in my rifle, but I load the mixed/plinking brass at .223 pressures with W-W 748 and it works fine. This approach would be a mandatory if you are using a .223 chamber. As with most loading, it is a good idea to start at the data source's lower load level and work up to the load you want.

victorj19

You'll need to separate them for two reasons. The 5.56 primer pockets need to be swaged and you need to reducethe powder loads by about 10%. I failed to reduce the loads when first reloading this round and had some very high pressures that blew the primer out and jammed the action shut. I needed a mallet to raise the bolt handle.

If your picking up a lot of brass save & use the 223 and sell the 5.56. You'll save a lot of effort and the 5.56 is bringing some good prices on the auction side.

hobo9650

I learned a bunch from the folloing site:

http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.html

distinguished

quote:Originally posted by BGHillbilly
If your reloading general purpose ammo treat them all the same and make life simple especially if it is mostly for plinking.

If your after accuracy then follow sandwarriors plan, sort the brass by brand and lot, pick the biggest group, trim to uniform length and sort by weight to get a uniform batch.


+1 for general plinking load it all the same.
For match accuracy divide and conquer.

W748 is a great powder for 55s and meters nice too.

SoreShoulder

It sure sounds like a mild load. It may already be reduced enough from published maximums to use safely with heavier military brass.