Reloading Tips

If you're using a semi. get FL dies, otherwise get Neck size dies, you seem to have your head on straight and have purchased good equip, don't scrimp on your dies, Forster and Redding get my vote, esp. Redding Competition sets with bushing sizers and in'line bullet seaters.
 
I run all new brass through the sizing die,if for no other reason than to make the necks perfectly round.They often come with dents or nicks in them.
 
2007st1300abs said:
Hello Guys I am new to reloading and have purchased a kithttp://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&ID=22998&skusearch=7417
I will be reloading .223 caliber first, with winchester new brass, do you have to resize new brass or is it good from the factory? I am also assuming that you don't have to run it through the resizing die? Any other tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.
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I would put it far enough into the resizing die to pass the expander ball through the neck. That is all you should need to do. It will make sure any dents are removed, and the neck ID is uniform.

A tip if you are reloading for accuracy would be to use Lapua brass. It is the best, and Winchester probably the worst. Brass can last 40 loads or more if you neck size only, and anneal every 5-7 loads. You could square up the neck face with your trimmer, but try not to remove any significant amount, as they are likely too short already. Also chamfer the edges slightly after squaring up.

Again assuming you have a bolt gun and are shooting for accuracy you will want to measure the distance to the lands in your gun, so you know how much jam or jump you have in your loads. I would avoid trying to just kiss the lands. Here is a tool set up to do it.

Measuring to the Lands

Here is a good link to read up on your cartridge, and what generally works and does not. Part way down you will see a pic of two boxes of Sierra bullets. Click to get Sierra load data. One is for bolts and the other for AR's.

.223 Cartridge Guide

Also here is a good link from on of the GunNutz sponsors, Jerry at Mystic Precision. Has some really good tips on how to load for accuracy.

Reloading for Benchrest and Varmint Rifles

About the only thing I would take issue with at the link is the annealing temperature mentioned (475F). I believe you have to get up to 800F to anneal properly.

Again if you are looking for accuracy, I think Berger sets the standard for bullets (at least of the readily available ones). Here is a good reference sheet. Make sure you stay within your barrel twist for bullets.

Berger Bullet Data Sheet

If you have not bought dies yet, I would suggest Forster. And again if for a bolt gun and accuracy, I would go with a Bushing/Bump sizer, and Ultra Micrometer seater. Here is a thread discussing the pros and cons of Forster vs Redding. My opinion is that Forster is less expensive and at least as good, if not better. The history is that Forster used to be Bonanza. When the original patents by Bonanza expired, Redding started to try making copies.

Redding vs Forster

You can get them from Hirsch Precision and I believe Mystic Precision as well.

Hope that helps in getting started,
 
2007st1300abs said:
Hello Guys I am new to reloading and have purchased a kithttp://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&ID=22998&skusearch=7417
I will be reloading .223 caliber first, with winchester new brass, do you have to resize new brass or is it good from the factory? I am also asuming that you don't have to run it through the resizing die? Any other tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks.
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Ignore all the other posts and let me put it to you simple and too the point:

1. Neck size
2. Chamfer
3. Deburr
4. Deburr inside flash hole
5. Insert primer
6. Add powder
7. Seat bullet with no crimp.

Good to go.
 
Thanks guys for the info, I am reloading for a bolt action rifle, I do have some new remington brass that I am going to reload. The dies I am going to use are the RCBS Full length Group A 2 die set #11101. I have 3 different bullets that I am going to reload with:
Barnes TSX 224 62gr BT
Barnes VG 224 50gr
Nosler 224 77gr CC HPBT

I will be using the CCI BR-4 Primer and Varget powder.
Also I have one other question about crimping the bullet do you have to do this with all the calibers?

Thanks.
 
So now bullet question, when you set up your die for the overall length, should you set it to the max length? Different bullets have different lengths? So once you set the die up you should not have to adjust it?

Thanks
 
2007st1300abs said:
Also I have one other question about crimping the bullet do you have to do this with all the calibers?

So now bullet question, when you set up your die for the overall length, should you set it to the max length? Different bullets have different lengths? So once you set the die up you should not have to adjust it?
Click to expand...

No. Crimping is sometimes used with semi auto guns. Not necessary and probably detrimental to accuracy on bolt guns.

On bullet seating it sounds like you are not really interested in ultimate accuracy. If you are then see my earlier post with the link about measuring to the lands. Those shooting for accuracy carefully control the amount of jump or jam of each bullet to the lands.

But, if that is not of interest, then about all you have to worry about is whether or not the cartridge fits in your magazine. That is what the recommended OAL is about -- just to make sure it fits in the magazine.
 
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