Armory Sponsor
Posted: 12/23/2011 3:02:05 PM EDT
|
What all is needed to change over from .223 to .222 on a Dillon 450/550?
I will be setting up my Dillon 450/550 for loading .223 primarily, however one of my best friends has a Savage bolt gun chambered in .222 (triple duce). He can't always afford ammo to shoot, so I was thinking about helping him out by loading some range ammo for him. Would .223 and .222 use the same projectiles and dies? What about brass?? Thanks for any help! God Bless, -Will |
|
You'll need .222 Rem dies. Take a look in your load manual to understand the difference in dimensions.
.222 Rem brass could be formed from .223 Rem, but it's not necessary and it's a lot of work. I'll bet Graf's has .222 Rem brass in stock for sale right now. Bullets are identical; again, open your load manual. Most .222 Rem rifles have a slow twist that will not shoot bullets over about 55 grains weight, depending on their lengths. There are some really good 45 and 50 grain bullets available, and that's what I shoot. Now then, I'm going to tell you something counter to might first comment. You can set up your .223 Rem sizer die to neck size a .222 Rem case. That will work okay for 3 or 4 reloads, and then the cases will need to be sized full length or they will start chambering hard. The reason is they are becoming work hardened and don't spring back. This is also a good time to anneal the necks. If you shoot hot loads, the primer pockets may give out before the cases need to sized full length, so all that depends on your circumstance. Seating with a .223 Rem die might or might not present a problem as the .222 Rem case is not supported well in that die. Buy a set of LEE dies or see your IM's for a solution, I have a set of dies for you. |
|
Yup, get the .222 Remington dies.
I had a buddy with a beautiful Rem. 700 in .222 Rem. many years ago. The Remington factory ammo was mostly 50 grain bullets. We found IMR 4198 and 45 grain bullets gave him good velocity and great accuracy. Very accurate little rifle. He could do dime sized 5 shot groups at 150 yds. from a prone firing position resting the rifle on my MTM shooter's case with a rug to protect the stock. He had a Charles Daly 3X9 scope on it. |
| You just need a set of dies.. I have a Rem 700 that I had gotten cheap and an AR upper that I built and chambered from a barrel blank in this cartridge. Making brass from 223 is a pain and I wasted 100 pieces of good Winchester 223 brass trying to do so. I have a bunch of 45 and 50 grain bullets that I have accuired over the years and I use these for the 222Rem. |
| I have a Sako .222 that is a tack driver. I am going from memory here so check me out but I use Winchester Brass with a Sierra 52 Grain BTHP, and 23.5 grains of BLC-2. Check the powder charge. It has been a while since I loaded those but they were tack drivers. It was a little hot but no where near dangerous. |
|
Thanks everyone, especially AeroE!
My press should be here tomorrow (thanks Mom!), then I have to figure out what all I need to get it rocking. Thanks to AeroE being so kind to give me some. 222 dies, I'll hopefully get some loads going quick for my Bro. Thanks and Merry Christmas! !! -Will Eta: removed brass question after rereading AeroE's post. |
Armory Sponsor