Need some experienced voices here. I have been reloading like crazy for all of my rifles. Now it is time for the .223. In the past all we did was follow the normal path for a bolt action rifle. Now that I am lucky enough to have an AR. Question is:

Are there any specific things to do differently when reloading ammo specifically for an AR?

Thanks,
Jim

I have been reloading for 204 and 223, and I just do it like always.

I have a new RRA Preditor Pursuit, and loaded about 150 for it and have not had any malfunctions at all.

Some of my rifles I just necksize, but I think for an AR you need to full length resize, but that is JMO

the AR is designed to handle 5.56 pressures which are significantly higher than .223. So you are fine using .223 data..

The general rule with NATO rounds are:
7.62X51 is safe in a .308 chamber
5.56X45 is not safe in a .223 chamber

Unless you had a custom AR built, it should have a NATO chamber which is a loose chamber with a long throat. Some seat the rounds to magazine length but I prefer to just load V-Maxs to the standard FMJ length. Just make sure you put a light crimp on the round even if the round you choose doesn't have a cannelure. The recoil and rocking around in the magazine can/may change your seating depth as you are firing without the crimp. This can be offset with good aftermarket muzzle brakes.

I have good luck with the 60gr V-Max over Reloader 15. Standard carbines have held 3/4 MOA with my Gemtech Piranha silencer screwed on the end of it. 1.25 MOA without the sound suppressor.

One thing you might check is the base diameter of a sized case. Some FL dies won't size the base enough, especially if the brass was fired in a loose chamber to begin with.

You may need a set of small base dies if you run into this.

it's best to check after sizing a few test cases It's bad to find out after you've reloaded several hundred rounds. Ask me how I know. :

good call El,

A lot of once fired brass you buy these days was actually fired through a machine gun. This brass usually needs a Small Base die to reform it to a diameter to fit within your chamber.

If it is brass you have only shot in a bolt rifle or your own personal gasser, a regular FL should be sufficient.