First time reloading .223...did I do something wrong?

[Rottentofu]

First round I reloaded is a bit shorter than a factory round. Reloaded round is left and factory round is right.



So I seated the die a bit higher. Now my reloaded round (left) is getting closer to the factory round's (right) length, but the groove is showing a lot.



Loaded five rounds total. Do these look alright to shoot? I am kinda afraid to shoot them...



Loading data:
55gr M193 bullet
23gr Norma 200 powder

[stilly]

Too much case lube browski! Oh wait, I was only looking at the dent...


Actually, I think it does not really matter, different projectiles are at different cannelure heights, Although I like to have the crimp on the cannelure in pistol, in rifle, ehh FIRE IT AND SEE HOW IT FLIES!

If it works and is accurate, then who cares? They look GTG to me man.

I have only loaded 30 .223 rounds, but when you see the latitude you are afforded, you will be like- DAMN... GO FOR IT!

Take your g/f and let her fire. Tell her you made them JUST for her. Women like to hear that and it works like a charm EVERYtime... 4 years and mine has YET to catch on...

[jericho89]

If I remember right COL for 223 is 2.2 inches. That is your main factor, as stilly stated cannelures are all over the place and some do not have at all. As long as you are not longer than the COL and you have a safe powder load you should be good to go.

[Twystd1]

More importantly. You have your powder charge correct at 23 grains.

-T

[Jmoreno88]

yup what they said... don't let the groove fool you. Just make sure all your measurements are good and you're fine. All of mine show the groove even higher than yours. I don't crimp so it's not an issue

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[davek8s]

What is the overall length for the rounds you loaded? If they're within spec then I wouldn't worry if they're not exactly the same as factory ammo. Although I use to compare my reloads to factory ammo when I started out too.

[Bill Steele]

What matters is that the rounds will chamber in your gun and load in your magazine (to a full magazine) AND it isn't any shorter than the minimum OAL that was given in the load data you used that corresponded to the bullet and powder you bought.

Make sense? If not, stop and go buy a reloading book and read the how to section again.

[MrBuzzard]

COL for .223 is normally 2.200". With a trim case length of 1.750-1760". Some bullets have a shorter COL of 2.185".

When using projectiles with cannulars or "the groove" I normally try to seat for the middle of it.

.223/5.56 in AR platforms I've found trim lengths/re-sizing critical then anything. Well, minus powder drop and OAL of course lol.


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[Rottentofu]

Thank you all for your insights. I will be trying out these reloads on my next range visit.

[kcheung2]

Like Stilly said, you're using too much lube which is causing that one case to dimple inwards. Focus on oal and charge weight, don't worry about the cannelure. Although if you use Hornady projectiles the cannelure is right at the correct length & they're a bit longer & pointier so your oal issue will also be fixed.

[JagerDog]

Different bullets have different profiles and seated to cannelure may or may not be the best length for your rifle.

Is this a mag fed auto, a bolt gun, or ???

['ol shooter]

The rounds in the first pic appear to have bullets with the ogive in a different spot relative to the length.

[Rottentofu]

How many rounds should I make on the first batch to test? I don't wanna make too many, but at the same time I don't wanna make a trip to the range just to test out 10 rounds.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

How many rounds should I make on the first batch to test? I don't wanna make too many, but at the same time I don't wanna make a trip to the range just to test out 10 rounds.

I make 25 when I've dialed in a particular load. Five, five round groups. 25 is also the number of spaces I have to fill up half of one of my ammo boxes.

[Rottentofu]

Oh, I think I might'd made too many for my first batch then. I wanted to test out a few different loads.