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Posted: 7/11/2016 12:12:58 PM EDT
| I was wondering if anyone had any information on reloading .223 ammo. I know with everything else they want you to use certain dies with certain manufactures. But I've been told with the .223 its not as big of a deal. Any information at all would greatly appreciated. Im firing this ammo through a sixteen inch barrel on an AR 15. |
| You really should purchase a new reloading manual from one of the Bullet Manufacturers. The Hornady manual is excellent. You need a better understanding of the process and tools, their uses and loading techniques than a paragraph or two on a website. The manual will have load information on many calibers but most importantly it will explain the why, when and how of the reloading process. Yes they are a bit pricey, but worth every penny. |
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Buy at least a couple of reloading manuals. Not just for the data, but for info on technique and trouble shooting.
You can also get reloading data on line. Hogden/Winchester/IMR powders have a website. Alliant has a web site. A couple of others do as well. Nosler does (Nosler makes bullets). I have used Lee, Hornady and RCBS .223 Remington dies for reloading. They all work. Barrel twist (rate of twist) can determine which bullets are best for your rifle. Heavier bullets usually need a faster twist (1 in 7" or 1 in 8"). Ask questions, read as much on reloading as you can. Just like auto repair manuals you'll find that one manual will leave out info that is covered in another manual. I've bee reloading since 1978. I have reloading manuals from Sierra, Speer, Hornady and Lyman from 30 years ago. I recently bought a Lee and a Sierra reloading manual because my old manuals don't cover all the new powders and bullets and even some calibers (.357 SIG and .40 S&W to name a couple) that have been developed in the last few years. Good luck. Go slow, pay attention to what you are doing, don't start out at maximum loads - most of the time I find the most accurate loads are 150 to 200 fps slower than the max load. Every now and then you'll find a fast load that works well in a particular gun. I have one like that for my CZ P07 .40 S&W. Also, be assured that what is safe in one gun may not be safe in another. Two guns of the same make/model/caliber are actually different enough that one will shoot better than the other or shoot loads without issues that can cause issues in the other rifle. Difference in manufacturing tolerances, and the people putting the rifles together make a difference. |
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couple of suggestions-
Full length resize every time- I use small base dies because I am an old school curmudgeon and load for several rifles. Trim every time- I process a lot of brass and don't discriminate. if it hits the blades in the giraud trimmer great, if not, it didn't need trimming. Other wise I assume it needed to be trimmed for consistency sake. Dies are like preferences on an attractive woman. I prefer Redding to all others. Many brands are capable of loading very good ammo. I have tried most out there and after many years of experience, I have have come to prefer Redding. YMMV Powder- Ramshot Tac meters well and does great in a number of different rifles. Projectiles- IF money were no object I would have truck load of 69 grain SMK. Most of us are on a budget. the 55 grain Hornady sp is the best deal out there when purchased in bulk. Primers-ok again I am a crusty old guy. Just stick with CCI small rifle primers and dont look back. Remington 7 1/2 BR are a close second. Crimped brass- Just buy the Dillon super swage and dont look back. It's part of the price you pay for loading .223 unless you buy bulk processed brass. .223 is an easy to load cartridge. Very cost effective for the effort. It may lead you towards a progressive press. I prep my brass on a single stage and load the processed brass on a Dillon 550. |
| bottle neck cases grow, straight wall shrink.. if you do not trim as nigla commented, you run the risk of crimping into the cannelure.... the case mouth is grabbed by the bullet cannelure while the bullet is still being seated... if the bullet is then seated too far, it will push back the shoulder and cause chambering problems... |
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Quoted: I was wondering if anyone had any information on reloading .223 ammo. I know with everything else they want you to use certain dies with certain manufactures. But I've been told with the .223 its not as big of a deal. Any information at all would greatly appreciated. Im firing this ammo through a sixteen inch barrel on an AR 15. Your in luck. Look in Tutorials top of the page. Step by step instructions with pics. |
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Quoted:
Your in luck. Look in Tutorials top of the page. Step by step instructions with pics. Quoted:
Quoted:
I was wondering if anyone had any information on reloading .223 ammo. I know with everything else they want you to use certain dies with certain manufactures. But I've been told with the .223 its not as big of a deal. Any information at all would greatly appreciated. Im firing this ammo through a sixteen inch barrel on an AR 15. Your in luck. Look in Tutorials top of the page. Step by step instructions with pics. Yes this or as suggested above buy a manual and fallow the directions. After you learn from the book you can go read all about everyone's #1 mistakes. Motor |
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