.223 loading info

T

Turillo

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I'd like to start loading my own .223 rounds and appreciate if someone can help me with where and what to buy with regards to brass, primers, bullets and powder. I'd like to load Hornady ammo for both hunting and target.

Sorry for the noob questions. I'm reading as fast and as much as I can.

Cheers
 
Brass - doesn't matter... I like Winchester and Rem.. I find Federal is a bit soft for my liking.
Primers - CCI or Winchester
Powder - I've used AA2230 (favorite) as well as H335 with good results.
Bullets - 55gr VMAX for gophers, any old 55gr FMJ for plinking.
 
I just started reloading this summer myself

Right now for 223 is use
Varget for powder
53gr Vmax for bullets
cci 450 for primers
assorted brass (want to buy a bunch of lake city brass the try out though)

Find one of the good powders (fairly common) and bullets and just start with one of the online guides to work up a load. I would just buy a pound and a box for now until you find what will shoot good in your rifle. Once you find something that does shoot good and that you are happy with it, make sure to buy a fairly good amount of em so you will always have a good stock of em.
 
titch-- said:
I just started reloading this summer myself

Right now for 223 is use
Varget for powder
53gr Vmax for bullets
cci 450 for primers
assorted brass (want to buy a bunch of lake city brass the try out though)

Find one of the good powders (fairly common) and bullets and just start with one of the online guides to work up a load. I would just buy a pound and a box for now until you find what will shoot good in your rifle. Once you find something that does shoot good and that you are happy with it, make sure to buy a fairly good amount of em so you will always have a good stock of em.
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^almost exactly what I'm using. 53gr. V-Max, Varget powder, CCI BR-4 small rifle primers, and mostly once-fired Hornady brass. I'm working on cleaning-up some range-pick-up stuff I got, but it's a mixed bag and I haven't shot any of it yet. So...that's what's going into finished ammo, trust that's all you're after? Have all the tools req.?
 
Not to sound hostile in the least, but the first thing you NEED to buy is a reloading manual. I would actually suggest a couple. The first would be the hornady, then the Hodgkin reloading magazine.
Also, all powder manufacturers have online data.
I would suggest reading the manual, then looking at component availability.
Ivor
 
I use 75 grain Amax Hornady with Varget as a powder. I am using Federal brass but have also used Norinco from my previously shot 55 grain 5.56 cases. I like the 75 grain for long distance. This should probably only be used in a bolt gun though unless if you compress the cartridge.
 
Thanks for all the informative replies. I've ordered a loading guide. ..waiting for it to arrive.

I'm shooting a Tikka T3 Tac with 1:8 twist and 24" heavy barrel.

Can anyone suggest a good starting load (s) cor both 55 and 75g bullets?

Thanks again. I appreciate the knowledge sharing.
 
Buy a few thousand 55 grain fmj or so from Budget Shooter Supply, then buy a few pounds or more of surplus WC735 powder from Higginsons, get a pile of just about any kind of brass, locate some Winchester small rifle primers and have at 'er.
 
Turillo said:
Thanks for all the informative replies. I've ordered a loading guide. ..waiting for it to arrive.

I'm shooting a Tikka T3 Tac with 1:8 twist and 24" heavy barrel.

Can anyone suggest a good starting load (s) cor both 55 and 75g bullets?

Thanks again. I appreciate the knowledge sharing.
Click to expand...

great rifle feed it some good bullets and it will shine.
80.5 gr Bergers, 75gr HPBT Hornady will work as well, stay away from A maxs, stay away from the VLDs to finicky with seating depths
Varget, VT 150, RL 15
CCI BR 4 Primers
Lapua brass pricie but last longer than any other and the best.
Good bullet seater (forster, Redding)
 
That's a nice rifle :) My 223 has a one in twelve twist, but I wish it was 1-9.
Just be careful with the lighter, softer bullets (52gr speer and such), I haven't heard it much, but a few guys have said that accuracy is nasty because the bullet is disinigrating in the barrel.
Varget is an excellent powder for the 223, so is 748. I've used both in previous 223's with very good results. I'm currently using H322, but once that is used up, I'll shift over to TAC. There is really no copper fouling to speak of with TAC.
Cases, all work, though with Winchester factory cases, I've been having them split after 2-3 shots. I've never seen any accuracy advantage between on case or the other, though the lapua cases required absolutely no case prep.
Primers, I like CCI for my rifles. Good hard cup, and good ignition, and available generally.
Bullets, there is an embarrassing number of choices to choose from; just remember that a good target bullet is often not a good varmint bullet, and neither of those are good for the larger game.

I don't feel that it's appropriate to give load data over the net, as I could type or look at something wrong, and that could have nasty results. fair to say though that you've picked one of the most versatile and pleasant to load for cartridges in existence.
Ivor

P.S. Go to Hogdons site for varget load data.
 
canucklehead said:
My 1-8" Tikka T3 Varmint chucks 55gr just fine. Tried 40s as well, but accuracy was better with 55s. Still, the 40s were about .75 MOA groups. ;)
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I have a friend that uses 50gr slugs in his AR all day with a 1-8 twist, so I didn't put too much stock in what those other guys said, but it is something to think about when others relay that type of info.
Ivor
 
Good stuff here. You guys are great! I'm excited to get "rolling my own" so to speak.

Is there an online one stop shop where I can buy everything I need from loader to materials?


Thanks again.
 
Turillo said:
Good stuff here. You guys are great! I'm excited to get "rolling my own" so to speak.

Is there an online one stop shop where I can buy everything I need from loader to materials?


Thanks again.
Click to expand...

There is, I'll PM so that I'm not accused of hotlinking to a non-sponsor.
Ivor
 
Although I agree with most of the recommendations above & I really like Varget for .308, I prefer H322 or H335 for my .223 target rounds.
VMAX 55gr work great in my T3 Lite SS.
 
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