Starting .223 reloading question

[Socalman]

Though I have been reloading for about 2 years now I am still a low novice at this. All of my reloading has been with .38spl & .357mag. and a few 9mm.

I want to start hand loading .223 and have been doing more reading to prepare for this next step.

From what I have read it appears that I will have more immediate success with any bullets in boattail style. Any truth to that or will it be just like my .38/.357?

[noylj]

Boat-tail bullets are easier to seat if you don't flare the case mouth at all, but I have never had any problem seating flat-base bullets in cases without any flare.
"Supposedly," flat-base bullets are a bit more accurate at less than 200-300 yards and boat-tails bullets are more accurate (and drop less) at longer ranges.

[JagerDog]

Boat tails are easier to start in the case mouth, but not enough to have that be a deciding factor. Perhaps the difference is more pronounced with bullet feeders.

[Squ1dward]

I just started doing .223 as well. It's all in the prep. One thing that not so great is that you notice your powder supply will get eaten up quickly. I know that is obvious, but it is kinda crazy. Loading it is quite simple. Just watch out for the military crimp which can be dealt with any number of ways if you are one to reuse brass

The 5.56/.223 chamber is pretty forgiving so don't worry to much. I trim my cases but I know plenty of guys that don't. Load a couple and test them. Note the results and tweak from there. Test them against factory loads to see the differences. Have fun printing money.

Squ1d

[baih777]

if you already have some brass, learn how to identify crimped primer pockets.
even brass marked marked 223 rem could have crimped primer pockets.

[23's Dad]

Get a case gage

I like the Whidden gage to tell me if I've bumped the shoulder adequately. You really can't set your dies accurately without a proper gage. There are several on the market, but the Whidden gage is the nicest by far!!!

http://www.whiddengunworks.com/product/case-gauge/

[pdq_wizzard]

if you already have some brass, learn how to identify crimped primer pockets.
even brass marked marked 223 rem could have crimped primer pockets.

and there are primer pockets that look crimped but are in fact not.

then just wait until you start reloading 45ACP or 6.8spc both come in both small and lager primer pocket

[baih777]

If your shooting at Angeles. The reloading store has Dillon case guages behind the counter. Case guages save a lot of headache.

[Divernhunter]

Chamfer the case mouths and you will not have problems with flat bases bullets. That also makes boat tail bullets easier to seat without shaving the jacket.
Especially in a bolt or single shot rifle there is no need to crimp the bullets. I do not crimp for my semi-auto or pump action rifles either. Have not had problems

[Socalman]

I just started doing .223 as well. It's all in the prep. One thing that not so great is that you notice your powder supply will get eaten up quickly. I know that is obvious, but it is kinda crazy. Loading it is quite simple. Just watch out for the military crimp which can be dealt with any number of ways if you are one to reuse brass

The 5.56/.223 chamber is pretty forgiving so don't worry to much. I trim my cases but I know plenty of guys that don't. Load a couple and test them. Note the results and tweak from there. Test them against factory loads to see the differences. Have fun printing money.

Squ1d

Have fun printing money! LOVE IT. It is sooo true.