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Posted: 2/1/2010 7:16:31 AM EDT
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Made my first loads ever last night and I have a quick question before I make them go bang.
first off here are the specs of the load: .223 used remington UMC brass sellier + bellor primer Accurate 2230 powder - 23gr hornady V-max bullet - 55gr Cartridge length 2.248 First question, when trying the different loads what increments do you go up in grain weight? The recipe for that bullet and powder is 23 gr min and 25 gr max. When testing the rounds how many batches of each do you shoot? I only made 10 of that batch last night because it was my first try and I didn't want to make 100 of something that is fundamentally flawed. And for the cartridge length I believe the max is 2.260 but I measured a UMC 55 grain and it was 2.220 (I am just going from memory on that number) But what I do remember is that my adjustable lee bullet die would only press the bullet down to the 2.248 length before it was maxed out. Is this normal and ok? And finally, is it silly that when I test fire these I only want to load 1 round per magazine in case of a failure? The thought being if one explodes or fails catastrophically it can't take the whole mag with it? Thanks and look forward to shooting these loads and posting targets. |
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sound like you did just fine .
When I work up loads I work them up in 1 grain increments and I usually only make 5 rounds at a time then test through a chronograph. As far as the lee seater die I am not sure about that . I would say if it is bottoming out and not seating the bullet all the way to the point you want adjust the die body down in the press further. Your rounds sound good so far. |
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I'm not as experienced a reloader as many of the posters here so FWIW: I like to go up in about 1/2 grain at that charge level, and bigger capacity cases I have used 1 grain as a step. My manual says go from starting loads to max in 5 steps, but I don't see my 4 steps as really pushing the envelope. Of course I really don't ever go to max loads anyway.
I'm having trouble imagining what is going on with your seater die. I have a Lee seater die, and with 55fmj-bt bullets I am no where close to haveing the seater adjustment fully bottomed out. Did you install the die in the press according to the instructions with respect to how the die base should be in relation to the fully extended ram? |
| I like .5 gr increments and load 10 of each from the start load and work up. I don't load the V-Max but the book shows 2.250" COL and I would stick to that as close as possible and wouldn't try seating them deeper until I found out how the loads worked in my rifle. The umc's are shorter but a different bullet. There's nothing wrong with being cautious. I'm sure others can help you more. |
I use .3 increments and load 5 for each batch(i only need five for my groups ) If its my match load, i'll go as far as load
more batches but with varying overall legnths. If its for plinking, i load in .5 increments at a certain OAL, whatever is the most accurate of the bunch is what I load mass quantites of. its just plinkin ammo so i dont fuss with it much. It took me awhile to find the right load, as I tried different powder and primer combination. What you have done is a good start. But what I do remember is that my adjustable lee bullet die would only press the bullet down to the 2.248 length before it was maxed out. Is this normal and ok?
This doesnt seem normal though. Maybe a pic of your bullet die so we can help better. I just ran a test on my lee die, and with the seater die turned all the way down it seated a bullet to 2.155". And finally, is it silly that when I test fire these I only want to load 1 round per magazine in case of a failure?
This is not silly, I do the same. after I fire one, i pick up brass and inspect it for pressure issues and such. |
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Quoted:
I'm having trouble imagining what is going on with your seater die. I have a Lee seater die, and with 55fmj-bt bullets I am no where close to haveing the seater adjustment fully bottomed out. Did you install the die in the press according to the instructions with respect to how the die base should be in relation to the fully extended ram? I have a RCBS press with the lee die... as per instructions I put the die in till it touched the press at full extension, then twisted it another quarter turn. I did this with the shell holder in, should I have done it without? Also, thanks for the advice guys! |
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