Cannelure for AR15 or Not?

[MikeLW]

I've been studying to load 223 for my AR-15. It's a SW 15T with a 16" barrel. I guess that's a carbine? 1:8 twist 5R barrel 5.56. I've had a little fun with it but now want to put a scope on it and make some small groups on paper at 100 yards. I'd also like to shoot steel targets at 500 yards.

I am still a new reloader but have loaded 2000 rounds of 9mm and 200 rounds of 308 for bolt action with no crimp and no cannelure. I have a SS Rockchucker and most common rifle tools, I think. I have rcbs small base dies, clean Federal 223 brass, clean LC 556 brass, Win WSR primers, Varget powder, Lyman 50th Manual.

I have no bullets and would love some input / insight. I'm looking at 55g and 62g with and without cannelure. Do I need a cannelure with the AR? I'm also looking at the 77g MatchKing. I figure with or without cannelure, I'll do a slight crimp with the seat / crimp die. Am I thinking right, that I actually have a choice?

Edit; WSR primers

[Wobbly]

You do not need bullets with a cannelure because you're not going to crimp civilian rounds.

You're going to need a case trimmer too. I didn't see that listed. That's the number one tool for rifle reloading.

[painter]

With your 1:8 barrel, I think a 75 or 77 is a much better choice than a 55 or 62.

I don't load for a semi, so I'll let those that do address the crimp/cannelure topic.

[MikeLW]

You do not need bullets with a cannelure because you're not going to crimp civilian rounds.

You're going to need a case trimmer too. I didn't see that listed. That's the number one tool for rifle reloading.

I like that straight answer. OK no cannelure needed. So actually no crimp either?

I do have a case trimmer. I plan to use my 223 brass first. I also have a primer pocket reamer for removing military crimps for when I eventually use my Lake City brass.

[jameslovesjammie]

So actually no crimp either?

The only rifle rounds that need to be crimped are ones that go through a tube fed magazine or are hard recoiling, such as .30-30 or .45-70.

[MikeLW]

Thanks Guys, That's less to worry about. I'll just find me some pretty bullets with no cannelure and no crimp.

[copemech]

That's not a bad little gun, but you better see if you are able to hit something at 500 with a decent optic, first. Learn how to dope the scope!

Ringing steel is not hard at all with green tip at that distance, if the steel is big enough.

Hornady Steel Match is cheap enough to play with, you do not need boutique ammo for that standard barrel. Run some groups at 100 and 200 first and do not expect miracles.

[Wobbly]

I also have a primer pocket reamer for removing military crimps for when I eventually use my Lake City brass.

Just get a countersink tool from the hardware store and chuck it up in your drill press. Great excuse to buy a drill press. Besides you've always wanted one and Father's Day is coming.

[MikeLW]

That's not a bad little gun, but you better see if you are able to hit something at 500 with a decent optic, first. Learn how to dope the scope!

Ringing steel is not hard at all with green tip at that distance, if the steel is big enough.

Hornady Steel Match is cheap enough to play with, you do not need boutique ammo for that standard barrel. Run some groups at 100 and 200 first and do not expect miracles.

I really am expecting miracles! Been shooting some one hole and ragged hole groups with my 308 Rem 700 so I figured I'll shoot the 223 that I already have for a change. Shot the 12" 500 yard and 10" 400 yard steel for several weeks with 308 using hold-over BDC and the Vortex calculator. I finally last week tried my hand at dialing up the dope at 500 and 400. I was completely successful using the ballistic calculator at Federal Premium online. I'm eager to stretch it out longer too.

A friend says he's making small holes on paper with the 62g green tips. I will definitely try it but not on the steel at my range. It's a strict rule of no green tips on the assault deck.

I'm sure I don't need custom ammo for my AR but I'll probably buy a 100 count box of something and have some fun. 

Wobbly, I really do need a drill press. You've got me to thinking. I wonder if I should go to Sears or Harbor Freight.

[Wobbly]

Wobbly, I really do need a drill press. You've got me to thinking. I wonder if I should go to Sears or Harbor Freight.

You should go to Craigslist. It should be a free-standing model, because you don't want to sacrifice bench space. Then you want to wire in a light and a foot switch, because your 2 hands are going to be busy.

Then you're going to drop by the tool seller and buy a single-flute countersink tool, like this... or this..., because they cut the smoothest.

 

[M1A4ME]

Most of what I load for .223 is Hornady 55 grain FMJ.  Those have the cannelure but I don't crimp the case mouth on these, or any .223 reloads.

If you look around on the internet you can find the heavier match bullets (if that's what you need to shoot the groups you want at distance) on sale for pretty good prices.

You could also buy smaller boxes of bullets (100 bullet boxes) till you find a good load and then buy 500 or 1,000 bullet boxes that are cheaper than buying the same bullets in 100 round boxes.

[MikeLW]

Thanks for the input y'all.