reloading for my AR

[Empty Quiver]

I have 223 die set, the rifle is 5.56 chamber. My question is whether I am going to need to look for 5.56 dies or not. I understand it will be ok to use 223 rounds thru the gun. But is resizing back to 223 after fire forming it to 5.56 going to be a problem. I'm hoping this is just a dumb newbe ? . I am not exactly finding any 5.56 dies anywhere anyway.

[cwlongshot]

 I am not a big "AR" guy, but as far as I know the 5.56 is a military only proposition. So its more likely you have a 223 rem. 
 In any event, you should be just fine with 223 rem dies for loading ammo in your AR.

CW

[pj53404]

The .223 dies are what you need. The case dimensions for the 5.56 and .223 are the same the differance between the two is in the barrel throat.

Pat

[Empty Quiver]

Thanks for the reply. I'll quit worry'n and get to shooting.

[charles p]

Can you save an appreciable amount by reloading 223?  This is one cartridge that enjoys competative pricing - especially in bulk amounts.  I can't answer my question.  What is your experience.

[Empty Quiver]

For me, it is simply the fact I am a complete noob. I spent six hours putting together 40 rounds, my first 40 ever.

I figured it was the cheapest round I could practice on, with the least potential of hurting me if I really messed up.

I think the only thing I didn't do twice was seat primers! I hope to get out Wed and see how I did.

I'll be glad to start on larger cases, my fingers can barely be made to work those tiny components. I'm getting into it primarily for the .300wm and .45/70. I've collected a decent amount of brass for those, and they are spendy as all get out for good loads.

[Buckskin]

Can you save an appreciable amount by reloading 223?  This is one cartridge that enjoys competative pricing - especially in bulk amounts.  I can't answer my question.  What is your experience.

Yeah you can save a great deal of money.  Even .223 factory loads are insanely expensive these days.  I would say that for crap ammo you are going to run about 40 cents a shot. For decent ammo figure more like 75.  I can load for about 18 cents a shot not including brass.  I paid 10 cents each for fully processed once fired brass, but intend to get at least 5 loads out of the.  So figure 20 cents per round.  Unfortunately components are more expensive now days also...I have loaded 1200 rounds over the last couple weeks, working an hour here and an hour there.  Goes pretty quick when you get it down.