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Reloading 223

2K views 7 replies 8 participants last post by  KYShooter 
#1 ·
I recently started reloading 223 cartridges. I have plenty of experience with 308, 30-06, 44 mag, 45 acp. Does anyone else have a problem doing 223? The size of the case is giving me fits, and I haven't even gotten to seating the bullets yet. I have lubed, popped out primers/resized, cleaned off lube, cleaned primer pockets, and trimmed about 250 rounds worth. When I finish these I don't want to see another 223 again, too small.
Any tips/ tricks to dealing with such a small cartridge?
Thanks.

Also I am planning on using 4895, anyone have problems with the powder sticks bridging in the case mouth?
 
#2 ·
Hang in their kid....

aw, c'mon!

don't give up so easy!

It ain't 1/2 bad. think of all the $$$ you save by reloading 'em. Handling them, I see where some guys wear cheap surgical gloves to grab 'em better. I don't.

Yeah. I got the "hang up" too on the case mouth with the IMR 4895, so I switched to a ball powder (Winnie or Accurate Arms), and they meter like a dream.

work thru the "pain threshold!" TAKE THE PAIN!
 
#3 ·
I`ve had good luck using a RCBS X-Die. I hate trimming too.
Also, I use Dillon spray lube.......I don`t bother wiping it off all the time.
I only clean and or uniform primer pockets for match ammo.
Plinking ammo I usually don`t bother-unless they`re really bad.
One of the best tools I ever bought (should have bought it years ago) is the RCBS Trim Mate. Saves ALOT of time!
I use 4895 out of a Lee Auto Powder Measure with no problem.
Once you get the hang of it, you`ll turn out bunches of .223.
A turret press helps too!
7shooter
 
#4 ·
I was reloading .223 for a while before I moved up to the "big boys", so I wasn't spoiled MCORPS1......I too gave up on stick powders and have pretty much stuck to ball powders WW748, BL(C)-2, WC-846. These all have similar burn rates and I haven't found the need to fiddle around with recipes too much. The only extruded powder that metered well was Hercules Reloader-12 which they don't make any more. It had a very short grain which didn't have the tendancy to bridge. I got some really outstanding accuracy with that and the 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips. Anyway, try a ball powder and all the bad mojo from working those small cases will disappear!

Eagle 1
 
#5 ·
.223 reloading

I'm new at reloading and I started with .223.

I use H4895 and have GREAT results. I have to post some pictures when I get the chance.

H4895 with 25.0 gr and V-Max 55 gr works great. I have a 1 - 9 twist barrel so the 55 gr works unreal.

100 yards prone shooting off sand bags...I know not the real deal shooting off sand bags but I was testing the load and the rifle....I have my first six shots touching each other and the next few rounds were 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

.223 reloading is great...you use very little powder so you can really save.

I'm really happy I got into reloading this is sooooo much fun.

Thanks for all the help guys--
 
#6 ·
I must be lucky or sumptin'

I have not needed to trim any .223 I have some IMG brass on the 4th reload and have not trimmed them once. ( I guess my chamber is a magic one!)

I don't have any problems with .223. I guess if you have really big mitts,... then you might run into some trouble!GI1
 
#7 ·
The amount of .223/5.56 my family and I go through per month is UNREAL. It's why I got into reloading in the first place. .223 can be a real PIA at times, but it beats paying commercial prices.

I've had good success with the ball powders mentioned, but why the hate for stick? I mainly use Varget out of a Lee Perfect Powder Measure with no issues at all vis a vis bridging.

Right now, my fave load for .223 is 52-55 gr BTHPs over top of 25 gr of Varget. Those really hold into the wind for such a light bullet.

ATW

Mike
 
#8 ·
I've used Varget, VV N-140, H-335, W-748, and RL-15 powders in the little .223 and really haven't had much problems. N140 runs through my Dillon 550 powder measure just fine creating some really good match ammo. Keep your case mouth deburred and lubeless while going through the powder process and you should be good to go.

I don't like trimming the .223 but, on the flip side, I seem to only need to trim a case about twice during it's 12-15 round life. They just don't seem to stretch. Nothing like the .308 cases out of my M1a, they have to be trimmed after every firing.
 
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