Newbie Reloading for .223

[Texas Boy]

I like to insure brass is clean before it goes through my dies. Unfortunately that means you double tumble since you will have to remove the lubricant (at least on rifle brass). On pistol brass you don't have to lube, so it isn't an issue.

If your brass is fairly clean to begin with then you could get away with not tumbling up front. I tend to pick up a fair amount of range brass, so doesn't work for me. But if you only reload the brass you shot and it never hits the ground (bolt action or brass catcher), then by all means, no need to tumble up front.

For trimming, hand tools, zip trim, drill bits, dedicated tools, etc. all work. It is really a matter of personal preference and budget. Giraud and Dillon make some very nice case trimming tools, but they are $$$$. A buddy of mine loves his Forster trimmer (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=614276), but even $70 is more than I wanted to spend. Since you are just getting started, I'd keep it simple. The Possum Hollow tool you mention would be a good choice.

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I'm looking on the Interwebs to find cartridge components at low prices now as well.

As I understand, Remington 7 1/2 small rifle primers would be suitable for .223 Remington? What about Small Rifle Magnum Primers? Do they affect performance in any way other than having a harder primer (supposedly, from what I've heard personally) which has benefits towards reducing the chances of slam fires?

As for smokeless powder, what's everybody's recommendations for a good powder? I'm finding that H335 seems to be an ideal powder for progressives, being a ball powder, and powder feeders being temperamental with "stick" type powders like IMR 4198. The advantage I see with IMR 4198, however, is that load manuals seem to recommend less grain-per-cartridge, which means more cartridges-per-pound.

What's your opinions regarding stick type powders like IMR 4198 with powder feeders on progressives/turret presses? I've no real desire to measure out exacting grains for hundreds of cartridges by hand, hence my desire to utilize an automatic powder dropper, but I also don't want any potential double feeds, either!

Thanks for all your advice Calguns...slowly but surely I'll be part of the reloading club as well.

[pdq_wizzard]

You would have to realy try to double charge rifle powder. also if you are looking for cheap powder try TAC by Ramshot, it is a ball powder and metters very well. Some say it is dirty but I clean my guns after shooting so ....

I'm looking on the Interwebs to find cartridge components at low prices now as well.

As I understand, Remington 7 1/2 small rifle primers would be suitable for .223 Remington? What about Small Rifle Magnum Primers? Do they affect performance in any way other than having a harder primer (supposedly, from what I've heard personally) which has benefits towards reducing the chances of slam fires?

As for smokeless powder, what's everybody's recommendations for a good powder? I'm finding that H335 seems to be an ideal powder for progressives, being a ball powder, and powder feeders being temperamental with "stick" type powders like IMR 4198. The advantage I see with IMR 4198, however, is that load manuals seem to recommend less grain-per-cartridge, which means more cartridges-per-pound.

What's your opinions regarding stick type powders like IMR 4198 with powder feeders on progressives/turret presses? I've no real desire to measure out exacting grains for hundreds of cartridges by hand, hence my desire to utilize an automatic powder dropper, but I also don't want any potential double feeds, either!

Thanks for all your advice Calguns...slowly but surely I'll be part of the reloading club as well.

[Low-Pressure]

The advantage I see with IMR 4198, however, is that load manuals seem to recommend less grain-per-cartridge, which means more cartridges-per-pound.

I just shot my 1st reload using this powder. I purchased a Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure and set it. I'm getting .1-.3 gr off using it with the IMR4198, which is ok with me.... I'm loading less than the max so I'm in the safe zone. I do check every 10th round, that I'm getting a consistent charge. I'm quite sure this will be better will a ball type powder. But as you mentioned getting more for less is not a bad this. With the IMR4198 you will get over 300 round staying in the middle charge.

[Syntax Error]

Am I correct that most powder measures should hook up to a turret press, like the Lee Classic 4-Hole turret press as a station?

In my mind, I guess the stations would go as follows: neck resizer -> powder feeder -> bullet seater -> crimper. Does that sound right?

[pdq_wizzard]

Am I correct that most powder measures should hook up to a turret press, like the Lee Classic 4-Hole turret press as a station?

In my mind, I guess the stations would go as follows: neck resizer -> powder feeder -> bullet seater -> crimper. Does that sound right?

yes

neck/full resize > prime/powder > bullet seat > crimp (if needed)

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yes

neck/full resize > prime/powder > bullet seat > crimp (if needed)

Yeah, I mind as well use all four stations if I'm going to be using a four station turret press.

Anyone have any recommendations for a good powder feeder? I've heard that the stock Lee ones aren't enough (unless you get some add on thingamajig) for .223, as the ones that come with the Lee Pro 1000s are meant for handgun cartridges.

[lumwilliam]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. My dad gave me his old Lee Progressive 1000 that he used to reload .22 with. I'm wondering how much I'll have to come out of pocket to get it reloading .223. I'm also interested to know how slow this process will be. If I'll be spending all night making 40-50 rounds, I think my time might be more valuable.

[Texas Boy]

The Lee perfect powder measure and the Lee Pro auto disk measure are both good units, and I've heard lots of people say good things about them. Units by other mfgs are good too - but generally cost more. I own both of the lee units and have used the perfect powder measure for 223. I just purchased a pro auto disk, the micrometer drop bar and a rifle charging die so I can use it on my turret press for 223. To get the volume needed for 223 you "stack" disks, or in my case, I will stack a disk with the micrometer drop bar to give me the ~23 grains or so of TAC Ramshot I typically use.

There are a few tricks to any powder measure - they are all basically volume measuring devices (with the exception of the electronic powder dispensing units, but those cost more than many presses, so we won't go there). Again, this is for any measure:

1. Powder selection. Spherical powders are going to give you less trouble in any powder measure. Flake powders will be the most challenging, and stick somewhere in between. I'm not saying don't use a flake or stick powder, but just understand you will need to be more careful with your powder measure.

2. Once set up according to mfgs directions, run a 1/2 pound or so of the powder you plan to use through the measure. This coats the insides with powder residue, seals up any small gaps, and generally produces smoother and more consistent operation. You can also run graphite through the measure - this has the added benefit of reducing static (if you have plastic parts) and providing lubrication.

3. Once "broken in" - set the unit for the desired charge then drop and individually measure at least 10 charges. Do not start loading until you are consistently getting the same weight charge +-0.1 grain.

4. Technique maters! Try to activate the measure the exact same way each time. Bumping or jarring the measure can cause the powder to "pack" and yield a heavier drop. This effect will be more pronounced with some powders than others.

5. Keep the measure at least half full. If you allow the powder to get low in the measure you may see variance in the charge. Measures that have internal baffles are less sensitive to this, but keeping the powder level up still helps.

6. Check your powder drop periodically. At first, check it often. As you gain confidence you can reduce the frequency. This is where a digital scale is nice. Place the primed and ready to charge case on the scale and Tar it. Now drop the charge in the case and read the charge on the scale.

That's about it for powder measures.

[Texas Boy]

On the turret press - The Lee Pro auto disk is designed for turret press operation. You will need the rifle through charging die and either the double disk kit or the micrometer bar to charge 223 brass.

I'd get a 2nd turret disk (~$10) and set them up as follows:

First disk - deprime/resize die. Other holes blank. Use this disk with the indexing off to prep your brass. You will need lube for this die and the lube has to come off, so this is a batch operation. Plus you will have to trim and possibly remove the primer crimp before loading.

2nd disk - first station blank, 2nd - rifle charging die, 3rd - bullet seating die, 4th - crimp. Auto indexing enabled. When you insert the prepped brass, you will raise the ram to transfer a primer to the primer lever. There is no die in this station (note: you could place a universal decap die here which would insure the flash hole was clear). Lower the ram to seat the primer. Turret advances to station 2. Raise the ram to charge the case. Lower ram, place a bullet in the case, raise to seat. Lower again and raise again to crimp. Done!

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Thanks for those pointers, Texas Boy!

[xrMike]

...

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Honestly, unless you are shooting hundreds of rounds a month just shoot Wolf. Its price is coming down.

I wish it would cycle in my AR.

When I shoot wolf, it's FTF after Miss-feed, after double eject, after short stroke (repeat). Honestly, about every 3rd shot functions properly.

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I wish it would cycle in my AR.

When I shoot wolf, it's FTF after Miss-feed, after double eject, after short stroke (repeat). Honestly, about every 3rd shot functions properly.

Yeah, I get that too with my AR with Tula ammunition, which I assume to be pretty similar to Wolf ammo anyways (steel-cased, polymer coated).

My AR likes brass-cased ammo, and I figure I should just reload .223 anyways.

I'll be coming up with a list of stuff that I plan to order, it looks like I'll probably be going for a Lee classic four-hole turret press. The question now is what kind of tumbler and other accessories I should get as well.

[Syntax Error]

Ordered 5,000 Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers, an 8 lb jug of H335, and 1,000 55g LC .224 bullets. I also got a Frankford Arsenal tumbling kit that also comes included with the media separator. I figure I'll just stuff the tumbler in the laundry room or something.

Looking good so far.