Reloading .223, Where Do I Start??

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AndrewNS

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Hey guys, I'm looking to get set up to start reloading .223 ammo to build a more accurate round. I'm really new to reloading and have no idea where to start, so I'm hoping that some of you that have a similar set-up to mine can weigh in with a starting point that I can work off of to find the load that is right for my rifle.

The rifle:

Savage Model 11 International Trophy Hunter in .223
22" Barrel with 1 in 9" twist

The Brass:

I have 1000 rounds of Federal (American Eagle) brass from the bulk ammo can, so I will be using these to reload with


I'm looking for suggestions on:

Projectiles (Brand and gr. weight)
Primers (Brand and size)
Powder (Brand and type)
A load that I should start with and work from to find my rifle's sweet spot


I'm trying to acheive accuracy, but I don't want to spend a fortune, money is a little tight right now.

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
For bullets you should try a few to find which ones your gun likes more. Things like A-Max, V-Max and Hornady Match bullets are good ones that are pretty cheap. Also Sierra Matchkings but they are a bit more expensive. You can go from super cheap 55gr FMJ up to expensive match bullets. Try a few and see what happens.

Primers I would recommend CCI primers, for .223 you will need CCI Small rifle

Powder possibilities are like bullets many kinds and you may want to try a few. Some good ones are Varget, CFE .223 (designed specifically for the 5.56x45/.223), Benchmark, IMR 4064 and IMR 3031 just to name a few.
 
For hunting any weight vmax bullet is always a good choice. I use 53 gr and have very good success with it. For target shooting 68gr hornady bthp. They shoot way better then the 69gr sierras ever did for me. I use cci primers and varget as well.
 
I have a question too if I may. I found some .223 bullets at my local store that are 55gr, in my Lyman manual for the load I wanted to try to develop for .223 is also 55gr. However, the info in the Lyman manual if for a soft point while the bullets I found are TMJ. Does that change the way I'd load for that cartridge or is the weight all that matters and not what type of jacket or plating it has?
 
Bullet construction and style play a role in how your load performs and the pressure it generates. I'm just not so sure it matters to that great an extent for the vast majority of us. It is recommended that you load specifically for the bullet you are using as substitution can cause unsafe pressures with another bullet type. This can be due to construction, length and bearing surface, for example. However, again, in my experience, it hasn't mattered a great deal. If you look at Lee data for example, it is organized by bullet weight. Personally, for the most part, I have just loaded to the weight categories they have listed; regardless of bullet type. The exception to that practice is if loading homogenous bullets or other types as listed in the manual.

For example, as a result, I have loaded 55BTs, TNTs, VMaxes, FMJS and others with the same powder charge as listed in the Lee manual for that weight (I like the Lee manual because it is simple), without any issues at all, and in .223, for over 20 years.
 
AndrewNS said:
Is there a difference between the CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers and the CCI BR4 Small Rifle Benchrest Primers? In size that is? The Benchrest ones are all that are in stock...
Click to expand...

As HomeTownHero said. They will work great, they are just match grade primers that will be a little more consistent. They usually cost a couple bucks more per thousand. But for extreme accuracy it's usually worth it.

Great Crouton said:
I have a question too if I may. I found some .223 bullets at my local store that are 55gr, in my Lyman manual for the load I wanted to try to develop for .223 is also 55gr. However, the info in the Lyman manual if for a soft point while the bullets I found are TMJ. Does that change the way I'd load for that cartridge or is the weight all that matters and not what type of jacket or plating it has?
Click to expand...

As long as the bullets are the same profile(IE: Boattail, flat base. Spire point, Flatnose.) you should be able to use the same data without problems. Just start at the minimum and work your way up while watching for pressure signs.
 
Simple and accurate .223 load for me was;
60gr Nosler Balistic tip
**gr Varget <--- your gun, you figure it out ;)
CCI primers

Edit to add:
Another load that worked well was the same 60gr bullet over 18.5gr IMR4198. This load was good at 200yards but opened up too much at 300. I switched to Varget and never looked back.
 
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With a 1 in 9 twist you should be able to shoot bullets in the 40-70 gr range with no problems, but it may not group as well with the lighter stuff. Mine really likes 55+. I like CCI & WSR primers and varget.
 
55gr VMax are a phenominal bullet, I've had great success with them in my 1:8 .223. Not sure if the 75 AMax will stabilize in a 1:9, but they are also great.

I load 55gr VMax under 23.1 gr H335 for .7 moa if I do my bit. H335 is a solid performer in .223. Works great for the lights and the heavies.

I use match/benchrest primers, because I don't mind paying the extra couple bucks when it's the smallest cost anyways, as to the benefit? Can't speak quantitatively but I notice more consistency.
 
AndrewNS said:
Hey guys, I'm looking to get set up to start reloading .223 ammo to build a more accurate round. I'm really new to reloading and have no idea where to start, so I'm hoping that some of you that have a similar set-up to mine can weigh in with a starting point that I can work off of to find the load that is right for my rifle.

The rifle:

Savage Model 11 International Trophy Hunter in .223
22" Barrel with 1 in 9" twist

The Brass:

I have 1000 rounds of Federal (American Eagle) brass from the bulk ammo can, so I will be using these to reload with


I'm looking for suggestions on:

Projectiles (Brand and gr. weight)
Primers (Brand and size)
Powder (Brand and type)
A load that I should start with and work from to find my rifle's sweet spot


I'm trying to acheive accuracy, but I don't want to spend a fortune, money is a little tight right now.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...

Sierra MK 69 gr, Vargent. Mine is slightly over max, .015 jump. Also Hornady HPBT 75gr Varget near max, .015 jump
All out of 1-9 10 FLCP-k
 
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