I know that when reloading for the AR15 it is recommended to Full Length re-size every time the brass prepped. Is the RCBS X-Die a viable option for Full Length re-sizing to prevent excessive case trimming?
I’m looking for a decent starting recipe for loading my own training rounds…I have a large lot of Hornady 55gr FMJBT’s with cannelures…so my thought was to seat and crimp at the cannelure as long as it is within OAL spec. As for powder I currently have about 4lbs of IMR3031 and 2lbs of IMR4064 to work with. I’m hoping to use the IMR3031 and move on to some other powder if needed.
What are some of your basic training recipes that will work across different AR’s?
24.5 grains of TAC under the bullets you have works great on everything from my SBRs (rifle buffer and H3 buffer) to 14.5" carbine gas system (with and without silencer) to my 20 inch HBAR.
I set my bullet seating to the correct overall length… regardless of cannalure position. Generally speaking though, this gets my crimp right in the cannalure on hornadys.
Here are some of my recipes that are safe in my rifle. They’re pretty middle of the road. All of these are with a Hornady 55gr FMJBT
24.0gr AA2230
25.5 IMR4895
25.0 H335
26.5 W748
I have read and experienced that the Hornady bullets like to be seated shorter. I think mine are 2.220. Have fun, making the ammo is almost as fun and satisfying as shooting it.
I thought 24.5 TAC for 55gr FMJ was the official M4C recipe?
I have reloaded a lot of 5.56 and researched the X-Dies quite a bit. It is in my immediate future. One of the reoccuring points though, is that if you have a collection of misc range brass or surpluss brass maybe fired through a SAW or other MG, you really have to trim, first time.