Reloading for AR in .223

[JohnMOhio]

New to reloading this particular caliber. Grandson managed to acquire a DMPS with a 1 in 9 RH twist. I managed to get him some Hornady 55 gr FMJ bullets. I have primers and the only powder I have on hand that is suitable according to reloading books is IMR 4198, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895. Any recommendations which powder to go with the above mentioned bullet.

The brass I have is 400 cases marked FC and 200 marked what appears to be mixed LC.

My concern is will these particular bullets hold up in a 1 in 9 twist rate. The reloading books I have list 1 in 10 rate for the data and they caustion using some bullets due to rate of twist.

My other questions is with the 1 in 9 twist, what would be the maximum and minimum weight bullets to consider.

Thanks.

John

Information

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[Mtnshooter]

1 in 9 twist will be a bit too fast for 55gr bullets. Try 62gr or heavier. 75 or77gr is best for your twist rate

[JohnMOhio]

Since I have only the .55 gr bullets, any suggestions regarding slowing down the muzzle velocity in order that they might be used? Kind of having to go with what we have on hand and the price was only $10 per box. If not I will have a life time supply for my .221 Fireball.

[Mtnshooter]

Stay around the starting loads and you should have ok accuracy at 100yds.

[MEHavey]

John,

It doesn't work quite that way. The Greenhill twist formula calculates on both diameter & bullet length to say twist=10.2/below 2800fps, and 12.2 above 2800fps for the Hndy 55 FMJ. In my particular case the 55 grainer just would not shoot well w/o that slower twist (YMMV, of course) in the 1-9 HBAR. It finally settled on 65-68/69 (after a **LOT** of frustration) above & below those numbers):

Sierra 65 SPBT Varget 26.0 BR4 WWCase
Sierra 69 HPBT Varget 26.0 BR4 WWCase

(Hornady 68 HPBTworked well too.)

[JohnMOhio]

Thanks to all that replied. I see that I will have to update with a newer reloading manual(s) as mine do not show the 77 grain bullets nor any loads using Varget. What I have on hand in manuals have served me well shooting 30 cal. and a couple of handguns.

Again, my thanks to a great bunch of guys on CSP. There are no finer anywhere as far as I am concerned on any web site or forums.

John

[NuJudge]

Heavier bullets such as the 69 and 75 will stabilize, but the groups are not very good. Perhaps it is just that the barrel was made by Oly.

The groups with 52's were these little knots at 200 yards until recently. Try 26.5gr of 748 and a CCI primer in the LC cases.

CDD

[Dan In Indiana]

Have a DPMS with a 1/9 twist, use the New Jersey Hi-Pwr load of 23.0 /CMR-100 [have 50 Lbs., set for life], WSR primers, Remington cases, with a 69 gr. SMK, for 2800 fps. MV. Lotsa groups under 5/8", many with 4 shots touching, always manage to put one outside [getting old don'tcha know]. Even tried some 75 Amax one day, right at an inch. YMMV

OFC

[snell]

John,

Most of us shooting the AR service rifle in high power competition use a twist around 1:8. While not common it is not unheard of to see guys use the 52 gr SMK at 200 for off hand. They are also used for practice and for reduced course competition. I think using them beyond 200 is asking way to much however.
Check this site:

NJ Hipower Rifle

and look under reloading stuph and you'll see some loads suggested for those 52s. Best bet is to try a few and see how they fly.

At 300 yards and beyond it's generally "heavier is better" to help with the wind so regardless of your twist don't expect the 55s to serve you well there.

As to the brass, the FC has gotten a bad rap for being to soft and opening primer pockets quickly. LC is nearly the gold standard for the competative crowd with Winchester a close second.

Of your powders, I'd recommend you try the 4895 first. I don't know personally of anyone who uses it but I've seen some load data for it (H4895 not IMR4895 there is a bit of a difference) and it would be worth the effort to see how it works.

To answer your specific questions, the Sierra recommendation on their 69 grain SMK require a 7" to 10" twist so you could use them but the 80 Grain SMK (the ruling Gold standard at 600 yards) requires a 7"-8" and would be out of the question for you tube. You should be able to use the 50 grains in the 9" barrrel with no problem.

I use Sierra exclusively so those are my recommendations. Horandy & Berger also make some excellant match bullets and their recommendations for bullet weight/barrel twist may be different. As a for instacne, the Berger 73 Grain Match Target BT is rated by them for a 1-9 twist. Berger's reputation is sterling so that is something to consider as well.

Hope that helps a bit.

Art

[jim r]

the 1in 9 twist is great with the hornady 55gr. fmjbt bullet. 4895 would work ok with this round. i use wc846 with great results, my friend uses varget with great results. i'v tried the 69gr. sierras in the 1in9 twist with not so great results but they are awsome in my 1in8 twist. in the 1in9 i would stay in the 62gr.or less. those 55gr. hornadys can be very accurate out to 300yds with the right load.