Are these hand loads safe to shoot?

A

Adam Smith

New member
My dad loaned me his 223 rifle a few months back and gave me some of his hand loads to shoot out of it. His rifle is a single shot and mine is an AR. I was wondering if these hand loads are safe to shoot out of my AR? I attached pics of all the load data. I know little about loading, but i remember that loading for a semi auto is different from a bolt or single shot rifle. Thanks for your help.
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Short answer:

IMPOSSIBLE to tell from the data provided------when in doubt: DON'T!!

I don't load for the .223, so won't comment on the data on your labels---check a loading manual and confirm the data conforms to published standard loads.

Longer answer: Case sizing is a bit more critical for semi autos. Cases sized for one rifle can (might or might not) cause headspace problems in fired in another rifle.

If you feel froggy, tie the rifle to a tree/big rock/you worst enemy or something else you don't care about and fire one round, using a looooong string around the trigger.

Then, check the case, (if you know what you're looking at) you might be able to get some clues if the loads are OK for that rifle.

Some will say I am being too cautious, but I've been loading for 40+ years and still have all my fingers and eyes. (I very seldom shoot even my brother's handloads!)
 
I decided a very long time ago to NEVER shoot reloads from someone else. I don't care if it was my Father, brother or whoever. Everything is great and everyone is buddies until something blows up and you lose an eye or something. I've had one reloading accident in my life and it was a good one. I've posted it in this section before. As stated above "when in doubt, DON'T!!"...
 
I wouldn't the top pic the OAL is to long for AR mags plus that sure seems like a stiff load of H335 since my data shows a max of 24grs.

Again only use the loads for the rifle they were made for. I'm sure your dad will be happy to load you some for your AR.

If your looking at getting into reloading Midsouth has the smart reloader kit on sale today only for $59!
 
Those loads are loads that he worked up for a specific gun and not your ar. your ar might like them or there could be problems with you gun and that ammo. personally i wouldnt.
 
Thanks guys! I had a feeling i shouldn't just throw them my AR. After I posted this i tried putting the different loads in my mag, and only the ballistic tip ones fit, and they are real real tight. I just picked up some factory loads, so i will try them out.

Originally Posted By: dmpowderIf your looking at getting into reloading Midsouth has the smart reloader kit on sale today only for $59!

I would love to get into reloading. My dad lives in Seattle and him and i are at odds at the moment, so having him reload for me is up in the air right now. Can i start reloading for as little as $59?
 
AS has been pointed out those rounds were loaded for a specific rifle and should only be used in same.

A couple of other points. The data card doesn't indicate if they were neck sized or full length sized. Without this information you would need to try to chamber every single round to see if they would fit. Really not fun.
The other point is how careful is your dad when he reloads? The reason I ask is that there is an interesting display at a local gunsmiths shop of what happens to a gun when the ammo isn't loaded properly. You don't want to start your own version of that display.
 
In the top two loads he lists the Rem 6 1/2 primer which isnt designed for the pressures the 223 develops. I wouldnt use them.
 
The 60gr hp load is suspect, max load listed in sierra #3 is 25.7gr with rem 7 1/2 primers, remington cases. the 60gr partition is a good load but you would need to reseat the bullets to AR mag length, if the cases are sized correctly. Primers are an issue but not a big issue. The 50gr ballistic tip load looks fine to me. if they fit shoot them. On the 60gr hp loads i would pull the bullets and dump the powder, resize the cases and start over.
 
Originally Posted By: Adam SmithCan i start reloading for as little as $59?

I highly doubt it. If can get a press for 59 you will still need dies, powder cases primers.
 
Originally Posted By: BouncerIn the top two loads he lists the Rem 6 1/2 primer which isnt designed for the pressures the 223 develops. I wouldnt use them.

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Care to explain this???
 
Originally Posted By: UtahShooterOriginally Posted By: Adam SmithCan i start reloading for as little as $59?

I highly doubt it. If can get a press for 59 you will still need dies, powder cases primers.

Adam I responded to your PM

Like UtahShooter said you will still need your dies,primers,powder and bullets. The best thing to do is save all your brass that goes threw your AR from this day on. I think the total for me to start reloading was just under $200 I only bought the stuff as money would allow (dies one check, powder next check and so on and so on.) If you place a order with Midsouth get some of THESE for bullets as it's the cheapest I have found for good bullets and it will save you on shipping.
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The 6 1/2 primer was designed to be used in lower pressure cartridges like the 22 Hornet. Using them in a 223 can result in a pierced primer as the cups are thinner than the 7 1/2. The below statement comes directly from the Remington web site.


"In rifle cartridges, the 6-1/2 small rifle primer should not be used in the 17 Remington, 222 Remington, 204 Ruger or the 223 Remington. The 7-1/2 BR is the proper small rifle primer for these rounds."

If I'm not mistaken, it even states this on the 6 1/2 primer box.
 
Midsouth does indeed have Smartreloader products for cheap. They have their O frame press for around $31 O Frame press , electronic scales for around $20 Scale powder trickler and funnel for around $10 (combined) or a full kit with scale, trickler for $38 Scale Kit

Then you just need dies, so for some Lee dies say around $30 per set or so, after that you will need powder, primers and projectiles (assuming you already have brass).
The price of all of these just depends on how you budget.
A decent very conservative estimate on getting set up (just for reloading equipment and components) would be $150-175 at the cheapest. You can also buy the Lee reloading kits for very cheap and they have just about everything (other than components) that you need in them for $110 Lee press kit and they do a very fine job.


I can't tell you if that press is any good or not, although I am probably going to be getting one in the next few months for swaging etc. Their nano tumbler is quite decent, I do have one of those and it does shine up some brass. Their electronic scale is fine, I have one of those too, it stays pretty much on the ball with my RCBS beam balance.

Oh and on those reloads...I wouldn't shoot them. As previously stated the OAL for the 223 Remington is 2.260 and that first pic is a bit over length...which in a bolt may not be a big deal but your AR won't necessarily like them, you also dont know if he was full length resizing the cases or not (I don't for my bolt guns)so just shoot them in the bolt gun he gave you or toss them out...although harvesting the bullets won't kill your budget for getting set up reloading.
 
Very nice BigKev. If I could do it all again and know what I know now, I would have started with that press. Not the scale simply because of the power source, but great links.

If you would like Adam. Shoot me a message and we can talk over the phone. I am not to far from you and we are on the same time schedule.

I am not the wisest on here but may be able to explain it a bit easier over the phone then getting a post here and there.

I can tell you the minor mistakes that I have made and you can go from there. I did start with a Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press setup. There are a couple of thing I would change than getting that but anyway. Shoot me a message we can talk on the phone.
 
Thanks guys for all your help! I use to think reloading cost an arm and a leg to get into. I have seen my dads set up, and its pretty extensive. This gives me a little hope!
 
Quote:but i remember that loading for a semi auto is different from a bolt or single shot rifle.
As an answer to your question... If you were going to shoot them from the rifle that your dad loaded them for, then go ahead and shoot them...

But when shooting through an AR, each case needs to have been full length sized prior to charging and seating the bullets and they need to fit the AR magazine..

The label in the first picture indicates that group is seated to 2.37" and that is too long for the magazine, as well as probably too long for the chamber of the AR...I can't really tell if the second batch is seated at 2.276" or 2.226", but since they are 2x reloaded, I'd have to assume that he neck sized the brass, instead of FL resizing and they probably won't feed well either...

Sierra puts out separate load data for ARs, for a reason....

I would return them to your dad, unless he's willing to loan you the rifle for which they were loaded...
 
Originally Posted By: Adam SmithThanks guys for all your help! I use to think reloading cost an arm and a leg to get into. I have seen my dads set up, and its pretty extensive. This gives me a little hope!

Don't think you are home free Adam...just when you think you have all the crap you need for reloading, something will come bite you!

Reloading, while less expensive (in theory) than factory loaded ammo, is darned expensive. Just like anything else shooting related, just too many cool toys out there
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