FYI

Midwayusa has C Products defense 223 mags in stock, 10 and 30 rounders.
$12.50 for the 10 round mag.

I don't know if this answers the question, but I've found that a regular .223 seating die works fine with the .25-223. I have a couple RCBS seaters set up for different bullets and they work great - and they don't mash the poly tips of TTSX and VMAX bullets like my CH4D seater does.

I drilled out my CH4D seating stem....no issues with screwing up the ogive. Contact area is very small.


Loading up some 85s and 90s that scatterbrain sent me right now, testing tomorrow AM with the bolt gun stay tuned for results.

I have been trying to sell a set of 25 WSSM dies for probably 4 years off and on.
Didnt happen but good thing I kept them.

If you dont want to crimp or dont have a too pointy bullet with the 25-223 a 223 seater will work but no crimp.

Did not work so well with the 115 gr Berger, (pointy bullet) so I broke out the 25 WSSM dies and the seater works well.

Now I just have the WSSM Sizer for sale - LOL

This is good news. If I remember correctly, you are using the Redding Neck-Bushing die. Am I correct? I have a couple few more questions for you. Were you on reloading number 5 when you found the 5 split necks?

How are the primer pockets hiding up? If you were on reloading number 5 on that batch of brass, then that would indicate that your pressures are within the working range of the parent 223/5.56 case. If the primer pockets are still tight then I would consider annealing the necks. Moreover, if you are getting five or more reloads from that batch of brass, that would suggest that you might have a bit be able to push the 85 gn Nosler a bit more.

If the accuracy is good however, you might just want to leave it alone.

Back from the range with chrono readings for the 85gr NBT, 90gr SGK, and 90gr SBK from my 25-223 Bolt Gun.
Loaded with H335 powder, in Nosler neck sized brass (5th loading), Wolf Small Rifle Magnum Primers. 85gr seated to 2.445", 90gr SGK's seated to 2.315", 90gr SBK seated to 2.425" (should have seated to about 2.410" instead because I was getting a little to much jam. I need to clean my barrel but all loads show promise and would have likely done better if I had run a couple patches through the bore....it has only been 300 rounds since the last patch.

27.0gr of H335 85gr NBT
2923
2954
2955
2897.....chrono graph turned slightly not sure if it effect velocity
2920

27.0gr of H335 90gr SGK
2900
2895
2896
2902
2894

27.0gr of H335 90gr SBK
2918
2938
2920
2898
2919

Accuracy was alright with all 27.0gr loads, center was 85gr NBT's, top center was 90gr SGK, left top was 90gr SBK.


I also shot 27.5gr of H335 loads, the 85gr NBT and the 90gr SGK were shot over the chrono and on paper at 100, the 90gr SBK was shot at the 500 yard plate and not over the chrono. Groups opened up and werent worth taking a picture of. The 500 yard plate had 5 new hits that were about 4" across though.

27.5gr H335 85gr NBT
2998
3005
3015
3027
3019

27.5gr of H335 90gr SGK
2960
2994
2994
2999
2984

Velocity numbers are good and accuracy seems to be alright in this weight range so I might try the 85s again, seem like they might work alright for antelope.

I finally did some testing with the 80gr TTSX and RE7.

16" 1:10 .25-223, Reloader 7, LC Brass, Fed 205 primer

23.0gr........2648fps
23.5gr........2672fps
24.0gr........2723fps

I had very light ejector swipes with 23.5gr but then had very heavy ejector swipes with 24.0gr, so I think the 24 grain load will be a bit hot for my rifle. I know this is the load Wombat really likes in his pig rifle, and I must admit I'm a bit disappointed that my rifle didn't like it as much, but it isn't worth pushing.

I am going to try H4198 with the TTSX as it works well with my 87gr HotCor bullets. We'll see if I get similar results.

Ejector swipes have been the only pressure sign I've run into so far and I think you're right, my gun is probably on the overgassed side. I suspect that is why it will run damn near any bullet/powder combo. While I don't think I'm in dangerous territory it does keep me honest too.

If you recall, putting an H3 buffer in the gun allowed me to push the loads a little harder before getting swipes, which would support the idea that it is probably an overgas issue.

Well i have now capped 22 groundhogs ranging from 10yds to almost 400yds with the 25-223.

The last 4 i killed were with the Hornady 75gr HP DRT no exit wounds just seemed to explode the insides i think i gave one a heart attack also as he had only one entrance wound, Yet i shot him "twice" first round he fell over then as i was walking towards him he was walking around in circles and falling over so i popped him again LOL.

overall the hornady 75 has proven to be a good inexpensive bullet that shoots very well. anything over 400yd will be getting a nosler though.

In other news i have started to collect parts to build a new upper in my next fun caliber 20 Practical

Time for me to get back to work! I had loaned out my 25/223 for a couple of months, and now that it is back, it is time to hit the loading bench.
Several were going to try the 2200 and we have seen hit & miss reports. For those that have used it, how did it fare compared to the H335 with 100 gr. bullets?

Hello Guys,

We have stared testing AA2200 with the .223 based 6.5mm PCC cartridge, It is showing good promise in velocity, accuracy, and pressure levels.
While we are In the first stages of testing, we are very encouraged thus far with the accuracy and velocity generated by this powder, and we are
testing it with a 22" bbl. length, which Indicates that it has wide/linear pressure curve (normally the faster burning/ high energy powders don't do
well w/ bbl. lengths past 18"-20"). The good news is we have yet to reach/see any pressure signs (It seems to be temp. stable as well, as we
have used it in 90+ degree temps. and velocity es/sd have remained stable). We are testing loads with projectile weights from 85grs. to 129grs.,
and soon with a 140 grainer.

I think that AA2200 is worth trying in the wonderful .25-223 cartridge, I would hope it can develope similar promise as in the 6.5mm PCC round...
just give it a chance with as many load combo's as you can develope...even if it does not give you the highest velocity, it may give you some really
good accuracy results...

I will look in the archives and see what the velocity/accuracy numbers are so far w/ the AA2200 powder and the 6.5mm PCC carteidge...stay tuned.

Good luck guys...

Thanks, BIGGDAWG.