Reloading .223 ammo for an AR15 (or other rifle)

This instructable comes from my website AR15howto.com

Reloading .223 for AR15

The process of reloading is a delicate one, care must be given as you work with firearms and especially as you make or reload ammunition.  Like with building the AR15 you really need to read all you can, and then even after that still consult with a professional to be sure you are safe and accurate.

When I was first learning how to reload, years ago, all I really wanted to start with was a parts list, or a tool list.  So here is my tool list:

• Lee 3 die set – sizing die, Powder loading die, seating die
  
• Lee crimping die
• Lee universal depriming die
• Lee 4 hole turret press
  
• Lee pocket primer cleaner
  
• Lee Chamfer tool
  
• Lee .223 sizing tool
  
• Lee auto disk powder
  
• Lee safety primer for small rifle primer
  
• Lee auto disk powder upgrade – this allows you to stack two disks, this is required for the amount of powder you will need to load into a .223 casing.
• Lee case lube
  
• Steal wool and cloth to clean casing with
  
• I also like to have a ammunition holder, I like to have two that hold 50 rounds each so I can reload 100 rounds at a time, I like to clean the press and dies after 100 rounds, I will need to do a page on how I do that as well.
  

Step 1 Components of Ammunition

Components of Ammunition

I like my lists so here is another one, this is the components of a single round of ammunition:

• Primer
  
• Brass Casing – you can buy ammunition that has steal casing but you can’t reload a steal casing with this equipment.
  
• Powder – make sure you get a powder that will work with .223, your die set will come with some options, and you should already be talking to a trusted knowledgeable realoader.
• Bullet or projectile.

The question might come up, which part is the most important or which component will affect accuracy the most, the answer will be all of it, and including all the components of the rifle.

Now lets get down to business, how to actually reload, or rather how I do reloading, since like almost everything there are many ways to achieve the same end.  First is the cleaning of the brass casing, obviously if you purchased new brass you skip this part.  This is my least favorite step in the realoading process.

Comments

[parkerdude]

Good Instructable. Have you timed your production rate. I've have an old RL550b. I haven't loaded in a few years, but I just got a little Bushmaster and I'll be shooting some this spring.

Stay safe and thanks for the info.

later,

parkerdude

[lanix13]

Thanks parkerdude, I have not timed my production rate, I have spent a lot of time at perfecting my consistency between each round. And I am still working on making it better. My first AR was a Bushmaster, I will always love that gun. I am currently building an AR15 that will shoot a 6.5 grendel, I will be putting up pictures and the howto on my website http://ar15howto.com

Thanks again for leaving the comment, and you stay safe and have fun shooting!

-Lance