Final questions for my first reloads

Shep546

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Hey guys I have a few final questions.

I am reloading .223 remington, using federal brass and CCI 400 primers.

With my RCBS hand priming tool I am supposed to slowly insert the primer so that I can maintain the proper seating, however when I go to seat the primer I need to apply a steady amount of pressure and then it just "pops" in quickly, the primers are usually flush or a fraction of a thou beyond flush... will this be an issue?

I am loading 55g FMJBT that has a cannelure...

Do I have to crimp? I find this step tedious and I am not 100% comfortable with it.

When seating my bullets how far should they be seated? My reloading manual says so that just the tip of the cannelure is showing... is this true no matter what?


Thanks
 
Your primers should sit just beyond flush.

No you do not have to crimp just because the bullet has a cannulure, being that this is your first time reloading seat them to minimum saami specs and work from there..
 
So my manual says the advantage of crimping is because sometimes the bullet can become loose in semi weapons, would this not be an issue for me and my AR15?
 
If the cases were originally crimped, use a deburring tool and remove the crimp.
Primers should always be seated below flush. I always seat the primer with my hand tool, give the case a 180 twist and give it another push to ensure it is seated squarely. When I remove the case from the priming tool I run my them over the case & primer to ensure it is seated deeper than the base of the case. If the primer is not fully seated, slam fires may occur. If you seat the primers in a reloading press, you have no "feel" and may squish the anvil of the primer causing a loss of consistency = loss of accuracy.

The cannelure is provided for crimping the bullets so that they don't move around in the case during recoil. I don't crimp my cases, including in my hunting rifles, so i can seat the bullet to max mag length, or just off the lands if I am single loading.

Hope this helps.
 
If it suddenly 'pops' into place, IMHO it sounds like you still have a bit of primer crimp as Count x says. Get a primer swaging tool or simply take a sharp knife and open up the pocket.

Crimping for a semi-auto rifle is kinda like oysters - you love 'em or you hate 'em. Depends on who you talk to. Try it without and see if the bullets at the bottom of the mag have shifted. If so, crimp. If not, why waste your time?
 
Thanks for the tips guys!

First batch finally done... man time flys when you are reloading just looked at the clock didn't believe it >.>

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I remember very well that singular, completing satisfaction of looking down on my first full reloading block. The glow lasted quite a while.

Good job! Congratulations.
 
Third column down and 5th one to right appears to be set 0.002" too low. Better re-check them all

LOL, just having some fun with you. It is indeed a great experience to complete your first reloads. I remember my first 338 Win Mags fondly. Now go out and pull the trigger on a few, you'll get a good pride smile with that as well.

Have fun!
 
Yeah I cant wait to take them out I have a new scope to zero as well hopefully they group nice and I don't get any slam fires
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of crimping causing the bullets to jar loose. You're talking .223, 5 shots max (unless you're using the pistol mags), so it's very unlikely recoil will cause them to shake loose.
 
Thanks for the tips guys!

First batch finally done... man time flys when you are reloading just looked at the clock didn't believe it >.>

429520_2429128822106_1668150045_1695246_727019318_n.jpg

What kind of bullets (brand) did you use? Lake City?

Here's another way to get rid of the crimps

The DeWalt Case Prep Center

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Yes they are lake city I got from henry at budget shooter supply... $130 taxes and shipped to nova scotia from B.C.... can't beat that anywhere
 
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