Loaded up some .223 Have a few questions

Paulinski

Paulinski

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First time reloading I loaded up some .223.

My load was

  • Winchester Brass
  • Brass Trimmed to 1.755
  • CCI Primers
  • 23 grains of Varget
  • 69 grain SMK
  • OAL 2.260

Questions did I load them too long? Should I load them to 2.255 or 2.250?

Two rounds were loaded with 24 grains of Vargent. Are those safe to fire? My manual states 23.6 as a starting load?

How much do you crimp them? I have Lee factory crimp die on the way.

Thanks

Paul
 
your manual should have the the max OAL and max charge. I start low and work my way up when loading , I also have 5 manuals on my bench that I look through as well befor I start loading up a caliber.
Have a look at the hogdons website and see what you find , what manual are you useing?
 
Optimum accuracy is achieved by loading the bullet so that it is just touching the lands. You can check by loading a bullet into an empty case. Soot the bullet with a candle and load. Start long as you can keep pushing the bullet in to the case but is harder to pull out. Watch for the lands to mark the carbon on the bullet and for the bolt to fully close. Then check to see if the round will load into the mag. If not there is no point gaining increased accuracy if you can't load the rounds in the mag. if you are only firing from one rifle then use a fire formed (previously fired case from that rifle) case.

As for the 24 gr what is the MAX load in your manual. You should start low and slowly move up to find the load you rifle likes best. NEVER EXCEED THE MAX. All that money you're saving by reloading and the improvements in accuracy are offset by having to buy new cases due to premature failure or even worse damaging the rifle.
You will get more consistent ammo due to the same neck pressure from a crimped load but until you get it you can still shoot an uncrimped 223 just don't do a full load work up as you really need to start all over whenever you change something in the load.

Reloading is the coolest form of madscience. Enjoy.
 
The Manual stated only one number for OAL 2.260 that what I loaded it to.

Max change was 26 grains.

The manual in question is Lyman 48th edition. I have Hornady 7th edition and Speer Manual but they don't list 69 grain bullets only 68 grain.

Since the Manual called for 23.6 grains as a starting load I went with 23 grains to start. Just first two rounds were loaded with 24 grains as that what the scale was set to. I weight each charge using the scale for now till I get comfortable with that, then I will start to use the powder thrower.
 
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My max OAL (to the lands) for .223 68gr HPBT is 2.370 on a Savage 110fp. It is a bit longer with the 75gr Amax's, I have loaded 24gr Varget with an OAL of 2.510.

Max OAL is determined by each rifle and each bullet using the method described by medic1050. You need to measure this for each gun for optimum accuracy. Obvious semi's will be much shorter and depend on magazine length.
 
You'll be ok with the 23.6 or the 24, as well your OAL is fine. I started loading OAL per the book, and then started to tune after. In my savage, I load the 75 Gr Amax to 2.520, have to single load as they won't fit in a magazine.

Just don't go past the 26 Gr.

Lyman is a good manual, that's the main one I use, also check out Hodgon's website since you are loading with Varget.

I would not worry too much about crimping, if you have sized ok, you'll find they hold fine - I never crimp mine and accuracy is excellent.
 
I have never crimped a rifle bullet in my life. If I was shooting a big magnum or loading for something like a lever gun I would, but have never felt the need when loading for .223 or .308.
You manuals starting load is there for a reason. This load is known to be safe, in that the case will expand enough when fired to seal to the chamber, thus stopping the back flow of gases.
For OAL you will need to establish where the bullet touches the lands like medic1050 has already stated. Most factory guns have a very generous throat, so you might not ever touch the lands with 69 gr bullets. If you are planing to use a magizine you will need to load them to the magizine length.
The bullets themselves will vary in length so a few thousands of an inch isn't really a big deal if you are measuring OAL with a vernier.

For a starting charge I would start at 24gr and work up from there in .2 gr increments.
I shoot 26 gr of Varget with an 80 gr bullet out of a bolt gun. *Please note this rifle has a .223 Wylde chamber and a 28 inch Kreiger barrel, this is not a factory gun*
 
If it is for an AR, I'd start at 25 grains of Varget, 2.250 OAL, and put a light crimp on the bullet. 26 grains is a bit warm, 25.5 is on the money (for me)
Whatever you set your powder throw to it will vary by .2 or maybe .3 grains anyhow, so working up loads in .2 grain increments is a waste of time, as is weighing and trickling each charge (unless you are benchresting an AR?)
Take this for what it's worth, but don't confuse boltgunning loading procedures (and advice) with ARs...IMHO.
 
with my colt 1/7,the magic number is 25 grains for the speer 70 grain semi-spitzer- actually, i found no appreciable difference between 68, 69 and 70 grain slugs provided i kept the charge at 25 grains- all were super tight groups at 100 yards as well- benched ,and using a 6-18 power scope , set on 18
 
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