223 AI Loads

[KMAY]

Anyone have any good loads for a 223 ai? Im not looking for specifics i am just looking for a powder and a place to start to work up from.

My barrel is a stevens 223 reamed to ai. It is a sporter contour with a 1 in 12 twist.

Right now i have some 52gr Sierra hpbts and a pound of Varget Powder. Anyone have and load data? Also, I have some standard 223 brass that i would like to fire form. What is a good charge with the standard 223 case and varget?

Also, can you just neck size using a full length sizing die?

Thanks in advance.

Kyle

[ctrout]

I neck size standard brass with a F/L sizing die all the time but I think that you would have trouble with that technique in the Ackley chambering because the Ackleys have the taper taken out and as you run the brass into the die, you will taper it again, negating the advantage of Ackleying it in the first place. For load data, I have been told that you can start with any of the max loads from the parent chambering and work up carefully.

[KMAY]

So if i have a set of 223 ai dies i should just full length size all the time?

[ctrout]

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were asking if you could use a standard 223 die if you neck sized only. Neck sizing the 223 AI with a 223 AI full length sizing die will be fine. In fact, many people prefer to neck size only and the AI cases are supposed to be better for doing this because they tend not to "grow" as much during firing due to the sharper shoulder angle.

[KMAY]

Oh, haha. I see.

So my next question is. How do you neck size only using a FL die?

[1Shot]

Oh, haha. I see.

So my next question is. How do you neck size only using a FL die?


...Back the die out until it only sizes half of the neck... ;)

[KMAY]

Thanks, if you cant tell i am pretty new to reloading. I got ready to load some up last night and relized i dont have the right shell holder for my my lee hand primer :-\ Ill have to try to swing by Bass Pro and grab one.

[Junfan]

Anyone have any good loads for a 223 ai? Im not looking for specifics i am just looking for a powder and a place to start to work up from.

My barrel is a stevens 223 reamed to ai. It is a sporter contour with a 1 in 12 twist.

Right now i have some 52gr Sierra hpbts and a pound of Varget Powder. Anyone have and load data? Also, I have some standard 223 brass that i would like to fire form. What is a good charge with the standard 223 case and varget?

Also, can you just neck size using a full length sizing die?

Thanks in advance.

Kyle


I found that Varget was a little slow for the .223 and .223AI but is very safe. With the 52gr BTHP Sierra(great bullet by the way) my 22" 1:12 sporter barrel liked 28-28.5gr of H4895. Any more than 28.5 and you will have trouble getting it in the case. Of course you need to start low and work up to see if you have pressure signs. I have quite a few loads that worked well. Shoot me a PM.

[laportecharlie]

I shoot mostly 40 gr V-Max bullets in my 223AI's. Lately I have been using Benchmark and TAC. 30+ grs of TAC has been working real well for me. It is a near max load so proceed with caution.
Charlie

[KMAY]

Anyone have any good loads for a 223 ai? Im not looking for specifics i am just looking for a powder and a place to start to work up from.

My barrel is a stevens 223 reamed to ai. It is a sporter contour with a 1 in 12 twist.

Right now i have some 52gr Sierra hpbts and a pound of Varget Powder. Anyone have and load data? Also, I have some standard 223 brass that i would like to fire form. What is a good charge with the standard 223 case and varget?

Also, can you just neck size using a full length sizing die?

Thanks in advance.

Kyle


I found that Varget was a little slow for the .223 and .223AI but is very safe. With the 52gr BTHP Sierra(great bullet by the way) my 22" 1:12 sporter barrel liked 28-28.5gr of H4895. Any more than 28.5 and you will have trouble getting it in the case. Of course you need to start low and work up to see if you have pressure signs. I have quite a few loads that worked well. Shoot me a PM.


Pm sent.

[Con]

Also, can you just neck size using a full length sizing die?


Better to buy a Lee 223 collet neck sizing die. It will work despite the improved cases change of dimensions.

Partial neck sizing using the full length resizing die often wont work for very straight cases, it'll tend to push the shoulder forward. You have to try and see ... sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Cheers...
Con

[sjf]

my 223 AI shoots many powders well, but I have settled on 2. TAC and AA2015. Both give exceptional accuracy and velocity with 40 and 50 gr bullets.

I have a 26" shilen barrel 1/14" twist and ratchet rifled.

My favorite loads are 30.7 of TAC with 40's and 28.5 of TAC with 50's.

With 2015 I like 29.0 gr iwth the 40's and 27.0 with 50's.

I use either wolf or CCI primers small rifle magnum with both, great cartridge very efficient and fun.

These are max in my rifle start lower and work up!

[AVanGorder]

.... and the 223 AI is just a sexy case.
http://photos.imageevent.com/avangorder/guns/variouspics/websize/223v223AI.jpg

[Armed in Utah]

The Lee collet 223 die is all you need to start loading your 223 AI

Be sure it is adjusted properly and 'squeezes' the neck enough...