Newbie Reloading for .223

[Syntax Error]

Thanks for those pointers, SKSer...I didn't realize that it's pretty much impossible to double-charge .223. That certainly puts my mind to rest.

[Syntax Error]

A quick question: the tumbler I ordered, a Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-EZ Tumbler, is shipped out to be delivered on Friday if all the planets are aligned.

How many pieces of .223 brass could you reliably fit within the tumbler itself, and what kind of media do you guys use? I've asked friends about this and they seem to have good success with crushed walnut media, while others advocate corn cob. I guess my concern is: what cleans the "best" given the time allotted (a few hours)?

[Low-Pressure]

A quick question: the tumbler I ordered, a Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-EZ Tumbler, is shipped out to be delivered on Friday if all the planets are aligned.

How many pieces of .223 brass could you reliably fit within the tumbler itself, and what kind of media do you guys use? I've asked friends about this and they seem to have good success with crushed walnut media, while others advocate corn cob. I guess my concern is: what cleans the "best" given the time allotted (a few hours)?

I have the same tumbler with the separator, the tumblerseparator came with corn cob media with it. I purchased the walnut media with mine and haven't used the corn media yet. I've tumbled up to 300 on mine but I see better/faster results at around 250 or less.

[Syntax Error]

I have the same tumbler with the separator, the tumblerseparator came with corn cob media with it. I purchased the walnut media with mine and haven't used the corn media yet. I've tumbled up to 300 on mine but I see better/faster results at around 250 or less.

Alright, I'll try both and see where I lay with walnut media. What do you guys think about a mixture between walnut and corn cob media for good results?

Thanks for the quick response.

[Texas Boy]

Interesting that Low Pressure's came with corn cob. I have the same setup as well and mine came with Walnut. Guess they shipped what ever they had in stock at the time. BTW - I get about 250-300 per load too. I really don't count them, just pour the brass in until it looks about right and let it run until it looks about done. You will notice that the cleaning time goes up as the material ages. When it starts taking too long for your taste, replace the media. You can get crushed walnut or crushed corn cob at most pet supply places (bedding material).

No harm in mixing. A quick google search will show there are a wide range of "recipes" out there for cleaning brass. Just make sure never to use anything with ammonia as it can make the brass brittle.

BTW - SKSer's formula looks similar to what lots of the ultrasonic folks use. Interesting to note the same solution works without the ultrasonic - just takes longer. I'll have to try that sometime (besides, I keep threatening to buy an ultrasonic cleaner).

So did you order the press/dies/powder measure/scale/etc yet?

[Low-Pressure]

Interesting that Low Pressure's came with corn cob.

I wish it came with walnut, but CTD listed it as corn cob, but I got it at a good price so I can't really complain.
here's the link http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/43930-1.html

[rockdogz]

I used my Dillon 550 to reload .223, and compared to pistol reloading it's a _lot_ of work! Lots of case prep time. Finally being able to shoot my reloads was satisfying though. I used Varget the first time around, but also have some Reloader 10x to try. It ended up costing me about $4.63 per box of 20 reloads, so I still have some progress I can make to bring the cost down since I bought relatively little powder/primers the first time around - buy in bulk always. It was my first time though so I'm satisfied for now...

[Syntax Error]

So did you order the press/dies/powder measure/scale/etc yet?

Yes I did!

I ordered a Lee Classic 4-hole turret press, Lee .223 Pacesetter dies, Lee Auto Disk as well as a double-disk kit, and a digital scale, which hopefully should be accurate as I need it to be.

I'll keep you guys updated as to how it goes, but for now, all the stuff is in the mail as I anxiously wait for my stuff.

[GW]

Good luck, then
Reloading can be fun so enjoy

[Syntax Error]

A side question for any experienced .223 reloaders...what kind of brass do you like the best? I have a variety of brass, such as Lake City, FC, Prvi Partizan 5.56x45, PMC/Hot Shot, and a variety of other headstamps as well as "M193" headstamp stuff.

My objective is to reliably separate the 5.56x45 brass with those pieces of brass that are marked for .223 Remington pressures; I hope to start cranking out M193 clones, and I assume the brass that is marked as "M193" is of 5.56x45 NATO spec?

The PPU 5.56x45 as well as the LC brass with the NATO stamping (the cross and circle) I assume are also GTG for M193 clones? What are your guys experience with certain brands/makes of brass? Some research seems to yield near universal hatred towards FC .223 because of the brass around the flash hole being too thin.

[Syntax Error]

What length do you guys trim your .223 cases at? It appears that 1.750 inches seems to be the relative standard, and as long as it doesn't exceed 1.760 inches, it should be good to go. Am I correct in this assumption?

Source: http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.223remington.html

[Low-Pressure]

What length do you guys trim your .223 cases at? It appears that 1.750 inches seems to be the relative standard, and as long as it doesn't exceed 1.760 inches, it should be good to go. Am I correct in this assumption?

Source: http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.223remington.html

I set my calipers at 1.760, if the case doesn't slide through it, it gets trimmed. My Lee trimmer is set to trim at 1.750. All of my 1st time shot brass (which are all FC) are all below 1.760, but the other stuff I got from the range needs trimming.

[Syntax Error]

Alright, I got most of my reloading setup, and save for a few bits or pieces, I'm able to create new loaded ammunition!

Here's my process, please critique and let me know where I can make the process less tedious or more efficient.

Case prep:
1. Tumble brass according to headstamp, I'm dealing with my LC, "M193 08", PMC/Hot Shot brass first.
2. Take out brass from tumbler. (I don't have a rotary media separator; would those eliminate the need to shake each piece of brass for media or is does it generally take brass out from media save for a few chunks of media?)
3. Lube brass cases for resizing.
4. Resize brass cases/decap primer.
5. Check case lengths with caliper; any .223 over 1.76" gets tossed in the "to trim" pile. Any cases under 1.76" gets chamfered/deburred. I use a Lee Lock Stud in a drill for cases that need to be trimmed so I can trim quickly. I also chamfer/deburr trimmed cases so they're ready to go.
6. Tumble brass again briefly to give it a better polish as well as remove residual case lubricant.
7. Prime brass with Lee Auto Prime hand priming tool.
8. Brass is now ready to load.

Reloading
1. Charge primed brass; dump powder on a scale every few rounds or so (every round for the first five or so to make sure the Lee Auto Disk Pro is working correctly). Check to see if the powder charge is at 24gr of H335 powder.
2. Seat bullet
3. Crimp case neck.
4. Weigh cartridge to look for significant deviations (i.e., in the form of powder), though I'm not sure how useful this step may since brass casings can vary greatly.
5. Put cartridges on strippers for storage.

This process has been working for me to produce a good amount of rounds (case prep is the longest part of reloading by far). I'm using walnut as tumbling media, and it's not giving me as great of a shine as I'd like, but the cases are pretty clean. I ought to get myself some corn media as well since it seems to be pretty good for tumbling.

I'm tumbling prepped brass cases before priming since I'm afraid there might be stuck media in the flash hole after primed cases, which could result in a misfire. Am I correct in doing this, or are there people who tumble primed prepped brass as to avoid having to swage the primer pocket for media?

Thanks!

[Low-Pressure]

Congrats on your 1st batch.
Case prep:
1. I tend to separate my own rounds from the ones picked up from the range.
2. Get the media separator/bucket, makes life a whole lot easier. 10 spins and the media and brass are separated.
5. If the brass didn't get trimmed, it doesn't need to be deburred. Only do the newly trimmed brass
Reloading:
1. I check every 10th round. Before seating the bullet I use a flashlight and check the powder height and make sure they are same in the cases (while in the tray).
2. Check oal length with calipers
4. I don't do this, #1 eliminates this process for me

Are you using any polish with your media? If you do not have any polish you can buy Nu Finish (orange bottle) for cars. Use 1-2 caps with the media. Run the media with it for 5 minutes then add the brass. Too little/to much brass will take longer to process. On the second tumbling of brass, I only tumble for 30 minutes (make sure lubes are gone).
Do not tumble primed brass. Remove crimps/swage and clean the primer pockets at the same time you are trimming. Check primier pockets before priming, making sure there are no stuck media.
Good Luck

[Koolpsych]

This thread is inspiring! I hope to get into reloading soon and thanks Syntax Error, I think I may copy your reloading setup!