Back to the basics

[MadMarty]

So Ive picked up a Mossberg MVP Varmint, which is in .223. Must say that I am impressed overall! Love using my LAR15 and Beowulf mags popping coyotes and gophers.

But now is the time to begin reloading. In the past Ive approached this by choosing usually a selection of bullets, having a couple good powders on hand and several choices of brass. Id find several loads then go with it.

This time I fel like grabbing one bullet, one type of brass and one powder(hopefully). Should I start testing with powder weight variances or various jumps to the lands with a given powder charge?

I willing to hear what other reloaders do, and suggest. Thanks!

 

[rookie wildcat]

Well, if you are going to ultimately choose one, powder, one bullet, one primer... Then you are ultimately going to fail in finding the EXACT combination your rifle will like. That being said, as long as you are willing to accept "less than the best your rifle can do", I start with the load and then play with the OAL. You have to nail it down, one variable at a time. If you keep changing everything, you will never know which one made the difference. I also look through my own records, reference books, etc to find previous similar load combinations that did well and it helps to narrow down the initial choices. Then I play from there. Or I should say, I used to. Now it is one powder, one primer, different bullets and I am willing to give up performance edges for simplicity and bulk buys.

 

[rnbra-shooter]

If you already reload for your other .223, I would suggest using components that you already use and already stock for it. Choose the most appropriate ones for a bolt-action .223. If you want outside opinions, tell us what you already use and have on hand and I'm sure you'll get some opinions on which to use or not use, and you can use that to figure out your best course of action.

If you don't already have existing components, I would suggest:
- any primer
- any reasonable quality brass, preferably new but once-fired OK if not abused. Winchester Remington would be good choices, Lapua good too, Federal you might want to avoid
- any of the standard ball powders (748, BLC2, H335 etc) or stick powders (322 4895 Rx15 Varget etc) that people use successfully in .223s
- unless you want to shoot targets beyond 400 yards, any reasonably-priced high quality 55 grain bullet (Nosler 55 Ballistic Tip, Hornady Vmax etc)

 

[MadMarty]

Ive got a large number of 55g DBLHP calhoons sitting here that I wanted to use up lol.
Ive also got a selection of 40, 60g vmaxs and 50g spsx's.
I have virgin Nosler brass, once fired Win, LC and federal brass. I do have Norinco brass for whatever that stuff is worth.
I have IMR 4064, Varget, BLC-2, CFE223, Benchmark
Just have Federal No205 primers

I also do either FL or neck sizing, I just picked up a forster ultra micrometer seating die.

I realize that choosing one of each component and trying to make it work, will in fact work, but not tot the rifles best ability. Im just wanting a decent load so i can get out and shoot more!