need tips on bulk loading .223 (for Tavor)

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subneural

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So I've been reloading for a couple of years now - hand loading .308 match rounds and bulk loading 9mm and 45 ACP pistol rounds. Because match rounds are chambered by hand one at a time, I've never bothered to crimp the rounds - neck tension has always been sufficient. On the other hand, all of my pistol (magazine fed) rounds get taper crimped.

I'm now looking at reloading for .223 autoloaders as well. I'd appreciate any tips on bulk loading plinking rounds. I'm going to be using Varget because I already have some on hand, and the price of Varget seems to be the same as comparable powders (Win 748, IMR-4895) - so no money to be saved by switching powders.

I'm obviously going to full-length resize all cases.

- Any preference on bulk projectiles? I'm looking towards the Hornady 55gr SPFB's ($165/1K).
- Do you recommend taper crimping?

Any other suggestions welcome.
 
i like to use a spherical powder since it meters out easily with a powder thrower.
i have a setup on my Dillon press for bulk loading 223 that works very well.
 
For a .223 plinking round, I FL size with a set of RCBS small-base dies and I use Hornady 55gr FMJ w/cannelure ($65/500 from SFRC) with 24.5gr Varget using a light taper crimp. Works flawless in my AR.
 
I use a Dillon. The last die is a Lee factory crimp die. A solid crimp is cheap insurance that the bullet does not get dubbed into the case. If you ever use ball power, a solid crimp helps ignition. Does your press have room for the extra die? If so, the Lee die is a good investment.
 
Varget could be a problem for bulk reloading depending on your thrower. Mine does ok but varies by.2 but almost .5 at times which can be an issue if your on the light side.

I never used to crimp rounds for my AR, and never had an issue, but the Lee FCD is a cheap investment.

I second the Hornady 55gr FMJ BT with cannelure. They perform very well in anything I have loaded em for, and the price is fantastic. Right now I am loading these in my Savage 10 PC and getting amazing acuracy with 25 grains of Varget.
 
Save the Varget for your .308.
For 55 - 62 grain bullets look for something burning a bit quicker - TAC, H335, WC-735 and the like are all in the ballpark.
As mentioned, the LFC die works great.
If you want a bit more from your ammo, or are shooting longer ranges, bullets such as the 55/60 gr. vmax offer better bullets for not a lot more money per thousand rounds. Likewise with a match quality seating die if you want to squeeze out better-than-bulk.
 
Right now I using the WW 748 25.5 gr, for both Hornady 55gr fmjbt/cann and Frontier 55gr CMJ for 200.00/2k. the 748 meters well with Dillon powder measure.
Dillon sizing die is a Small Base die which is beneficial for semi"s,
 
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I find Hodgdon H335 good for my Savage model11 22-250, and I am going to start loading 233 with H335 for my SU16, which I am hoping to use for coyotes, it meters easily too.
Any tips on powder charges for the 223 with 50 and 55 gr bullets?
 
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