Didn't load up many but for sure gonna give the chamfering a try as well as use different brass. I used once fired Rem. brass because it doesn't have the crimped in primers which means less prep but also seems almost anything Rem. made these days is severely lacking in quality. So with that brass and bullets I'm using 26gn CFE,CCI small rifle primers with OAL of 2.2" Don't know the next time I'll be able to hit up the range but can't wait to test out my first 223 reloads.
School me on reloading for .223
- Thread starter Duke878
- Start date
Sorry for the little derail
I was looking at the RCBS Supreme Master kit, which I found on sale for 377, but at the same place they have the Hornady Lock N Load Classic for 324. Anyone using the Hornady kit and like it alot?
I was looking at the RCBS Supreme Master kit, which I found on sale for 377, but at the same place they have the Hornady Lock N Load Classic for 324. Anyone using the Hornady kit and like it alot?
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I use a bunch of rem brass and its been good to me. 6 reloads on it so far. I also have alot of winchester that I tend to get 10+ on. I use federal a bit and have a couple hundred hornady as well. Dont have any complaints about any of the brands I use.
I have the rcbs rock chucker supreme kit. I added a chargemaster 1500 combo. I have no complaints about any of it at all.
I have 2 .223s that I load for. A Savage 12FV and a Savage 11 hunter. Both very accurate rifles.
The 12FV has a heavy 26" barrel and I replaced the plastic stock with a Boyds Laminate stock.
The hunter came with a walnut stock it has a light 22" barrel. Both are 1 in 9" twist.
Both have Bushnell 7 to 21 power scopes mounted on both of them.
I have found .223 no more difficult to load for than any other caliber.
I use a Lee classic cast press a Lee collet die and RCBS small base dies and I prime with a Lee Auto Prime.
After 5 or 6 reloads neck sizing only the brass goes in the polisher then I full size the cases and trim and chamfer them.
I have tried several different powders with none being noticeably more accurate than another.
I have been using Benchmark recently with very good results.
I use what I can get these days.
I have tried Bullets weighing from 50 to 75 grains with very good accuracy. Hornady 68 grain HPBT match bullets work
very well in the 12FV. But don't feed well in the 11.
Both rifles like the bullet loaded very close to the lands .010" to .005" gives the best accuracy.
I have found this is very important with these 2 rifles.
I have found large differences in the weight of brass with the same head stamp. I sort it into batches by weight.
I have introduced several people to the shooting sports with these 2 rifles. The mild recoil of a .223 is an asset, most people that have never fired
a firearm have expressed concern about recoil.
They are usually impressed when "with a little coaching" can shoot close to an inch group a 100 yards or shoot 12 gauge casings off the top of the 200 yard target.
Terry
The 12FV has a heavy 26" barrel and I replaced the plastic stock with a Boyds Laminate stock.
The hunter came with a walnut stock it has a light 22" barrel. Both are 1 in 9" twist.
Both have Bushnell 7 to 21 power scopes mounted on both of them.
I have found .223 no more difficult to load for than any other caliber.
I use a Lee classic cast press a Lee collet die and RCBS small base dies and I prime with a Lee Auto Prime.
After 5 or 6 reloads neck sizing only the brass goes in the polisher then I full size the cases and trim and chamfer them.
I have tried several different powders with none being noticeably more accurate than another.
I have been using Benchmark recently with very good results.
I use what I can get these days.
I have tried Bullets weighing from 50 to 75 grains with very good accuracy. Hornady 68 grain HPBT match bullets work
very well in the 12FV. But don't feed well in the 11.
Both rifles like the bullet loaded very close to the lands .010" to .005" gives the best accuracy.
I have found this is very important with these 2 rifles.
I have found large differences in the weight of brass with the same head stamp. I sort it into batches by weight.
I have introduced several people to the shooting sports with these 2 rifles. The mild recoil of a .223 is an asset, most people that have never fired
a firearm have expressed concern about recoil.
They are usually impressed when "with a little coaching" can shoot close to an inch group a 100 yards or shoot 12 gauge casings off the top of the 200 yard target.
Terry
@ JONGUN : Have you tried heavier bullets ? I'm fairly new to reloading and .223 but from what I could get you could take advantage of that faster twist rate by using heavier bullet... as read on accurate shooter : “Please don’t tell people about the 75 A-Max. Right now these are super cheap, and they shoot like a house on fire.”
I would like to try them but I think that with a 1:9 twist they might be a bit heavy
@Terry_G : Why small base dies ? I though those where for semi-autos ?
I would like to try them but I think that with a 1:9 twist they might be a bit heavy
@Terry_G : Why small base dies ? I though those where for semi-autos ?
"...anyone make Carbide dies for .223..." Dillon, as I recall. Horrendously expensive though. .223 is loaded just like any other cartridge.
"...go up in .2gn increments..." Too slow. Half grain increments then go back if you think you want to.
"...go up in .2gn increments..." Too slow. Half grain increments then go back if you think you want to.
im going to assume you are shooting a savage 12. From my savage .223, also with 1-9, the most accurate load I have worked up so far, is with Hornady 68gr BTHP, best group .177 with no mods to the rifle. Try 24gr. of varget under those 68s, I had mine seated to jump 0.050", quite a bit i know but the tangent ogive allows for it, while keeping pressures down. very very nice round to load and shoot!
...I almost feel a little embarassed to be suggesting varget....
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Im shooting a non stock axis lol. Im shooting the 68gr bthp over 25.5gr of varget. Seated long at 2.392" there isnt much jump on them.
That's excellent! How do they shoot?
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I am still working out some things. My oal isnt as consistent as I wold like. I ordered some new tools to help that. I will let you know after I do more shooting but so far right around an inch at 200 some a bit less
Hey guys I got a RCBS kit today from Prairie Gun Traders and was looking at getting some powder for my 223 there as well.
They didnt have any Varget or CFE223, but they had some 4198 there. I read a few people use that for 223 loads. Anyone here try it? What are some other powders that you guys had some luck with? thanks
They didnt have any Varget or CFE223, but they had some 4198 there. I read a few people use that for 223 loads. Anyone here try it? What are some other powders that you guys had some luck with? thanks
blc2 is my favorite
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I also use h4895 with great results.
Nice looking rifle! What size rings do you have? I think mine are too high and ill need a cheek riser.. Definitely going to paint my stock.
