5.56x45 new guy

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P5 Guy

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I have 500 pieces of once fired brass from a friend that works at FNH in Columbia SC. I'm assuming this was fired thru machine guns and their commercial offerings. Just wanting to start hand loading these for my new Colt M4 carbine (semi-auto). 1 to 7 twist barrel.
I'm seeking recommendations, whose dies, primers, powder, and 55 or 62 grain bullets should I go looking for?
I have a few manuals I'm looking for "pet loads" if you are willing to share.
 
For the AR Colt M4 you may want to consider a small base die full length resizing. RCBS has a small base two die set selling for about $41 in my most recent Midway catalog, their product number 469-170 for the .223 Rem (5.56 NATO). Redding also shows a small base full length die, product 466-853 but might be just for the sizer only, order a seating die separately if need be. For primers use CCI milspecs #41. The cases probably have crimped primer pockets so a pocket swager or reamer will be needed. Do you have the Lyman 49th edition reloading manual? If so, or any other manual, check those for a variety of loads with powders and bullets that you want to use. If you have the Lyman 49th, check their most potentially accurate loads to begin with.
 
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P5guy follow up:

If by "commercial offerings" you are referring to commercial brass, rather than military, the primer pocket tools shouldn't be needed. But if military brass might be forthcoming, consider getting one anyway. The swagers usually come equipped for both small and large primer pockets.
 
A Lee .223 RGB 2-die set along with a #4 shell holder will serve you well and not cost any more than necessary to load for your carbine. Adjust the seating die high enough to not crimp even the longest cases and rock on.

I'd set 55gr as a minimum bullet weight and for plinking I find the 62gr FMJ offerings shoot somewhat better than 55gr FMJ. Both shoot baseball to softball size groups at 100 yards. Closed base bullets (HPBT or SP) will almost always shooter better than the FMJ offerings. 70gr SP, 69gr HPBT and 75gr HPBT work well in my 1-7 rifle.
 
condor bravo, I was referring to the firearms made at FNH in SC, all the brass is crimped primer that my buddy gave me. I have the RCBS primer pocket swage. That is a bit slow but should only be needed once per cartridge case.
Would a primer pocket uniforming tool be useful?
Everglades Bullets, seeing as I'm a Floridian I'll look into their offerings.
I'm going to a local gun show soon to see what is available primer and powder wise. Are 'milspec' primers a must? I've used standard large rifle primers loading for my M1 rifle with no problems.
Thanks for sharing.
Any others want to chime in?
 
Yes the Redding primer pocket uniforming tool is advisable. I consider that tool and the harder CCI primers to be the dynamic duo against slam fires. The milspec primers aren't necessarily a must, just a help against slams. I've had maybe three slams with an '06 Garand but these could have also been doubles from other causes, so I use the milspecs when available, otherwise standard CCI primers. The uniformer tool cuts the primer pocket to a standard depth but does not affect the circumference. Then serves as a good primer pocket cleaner.
 
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I agree with Condor Bravo on the use of mil spec primers in gas guns I`ve gotten by with standard primers when I was out of the mil spec, but It`s just good insurance against a slam fire...I use them in my AR, and M1A...it`s still possible to slam fire, but the heavier primer cup Is safer than the thin cups of standard primers.
 
Those will be CCI 41s for small rifle and CCI 34s for large rifle (in white boxes rather than normally CCI blue boxes for standard primers). If milspecs not available and need primers immediately, consider the standard CCIs. CCI 400s for small and CCI 200s for large.
 
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Found 1k of CCI #41 primers. Looked over the bullets most looked like plated bullets? No lead showing anywhere. So I passed. Not much as to rifle powders either.
 
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