You can order your own CPS directly from Primal Rights: Wilson 223 Remington Min-Dimension (Min-Chamber) Gage.Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading.Here’s the typical list: (click/tap to enlarge)įor more information on tools for Rifle Reloading, see my full article:Īnd here are links for some of the reloading gear used in this video/article: The tools and supplies needed for loading 223 and 5.56 are pretty much the same as for all rifle ammunition reloading. Favorite: Hornady 60 grain Hollow Point Boat Tail Varmint.Favorite: Midsouth Varmint Nightmare 55 grain.Here’s links to Midsouth Shooters Supply for these powders:Īnd some bullets that work well for 223 and 5.56: Within each bullet range, you can see a list of powders from fastest (top) to slowest (bottom) that will work well for these bullet weight ranges. Here I’ve broken down bullet selections (and relevant powders that will work well) into three categories: light, mid-weight, and heavy: Here’s what Midsouth Shooters Supply has to offer for 223 and 5.56 cases:

If you are reloading once-fired military brass, be sure to check for crimped primer pockets, and swage or ream them after sizing! I have found weight and capacity to be basically the same between the two, contrary to what you will read online. I talked with one case manufacturer about the differences between their 223 and 5.56 cases: only an additional annealing for 5.56. One of the best sources for load data is Hodgdon’s online Reloading Data Center:Ĭases are for the most part interchangeable between 223 and 5.56. Specifically, in the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, there are three sections for relevant load data: Both cartridges were designed/optimized for 55 grain bulletsĢ23 Remington and 5.56 ammunition is almost identical in many cases, but there can be a slight difference between the two when it comes to load data.Same external case dimensions (shoulder transition may have different radius).Here are some similarities between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO Ammunition: Dimensionally, these cartridges are essentially identical on the exterior with the exception of some bullet profiles used for 5.56 NATO ammunition. 5.56 ammunition will have a cannelured and crimped bullet, where 223 Remington ammunition may or may not have a cannelure or crimp. There may be other differences externally as well. Here’s a side by side comparison of the case rims for 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO: (click/tap to enlarge) On the case rim, you’ll notice that 5.56 military ammunition will have a crimp around the primer pocket (not the case for new 5.56 cases hand loaded in the civilian market).On the case rim, you’ll notice “223” stamped on 223 Remington brass, where 5.56 NATO brass may only have a date, initials (Ex: FC) and one or more symbols.There are some differences you’ll notice right off the bat between. Here’s an excerpt from my 223 -vs- 5.56 Deep-Dive:

Loading .223 subsonic ammo