Powder, Primers, and RCBS Kit Question

[sfonelson]

Hey All,

I am going to start reloading .223 for my AR's and 30-06 for M1 Garand.

I have been slowly but surely buying my reloading equipment. I have the manuals, dies, case trimmers, brass catchers, tumbler and some media.

I have a quick question about powder. I wanted to buy one cannister of powder for both rifles. Will the Hodgdon Varget work with both? I think I remember reading that it would. And for Primers, I was going to get the CCI small rifle #400, and the CCI large rifle primers for my M1, is that correct?

I planned on getting the powder and primers from powder valley, as I would only have to pay one 25 dollar hazmat fee.

So far, for my brass, I purchased half a case of PMC for my AR, and I just plan on reloading that for now until I run low. I have several hundred rounds of the Greek surplus stuff. I will probably get a few more spam cans of that from CMP as well.

For my press, I was going to get the RCBS kit. Anybody have experience with the powder thrower that comes with it, and the Varget powder that I was looking into?

Thanks in advance for any input. I am really excited to get started!

[XDRoX]

Hey All,

I am going to start reloading .223 for my AR's and 30-06 for M1 Garand.

I have been slowly but surely buying my reloading equipment. I have the manuals, dies, case trimmers, brass catchers, tumbler and some media.

I have a quick question about powder. I wanted to buy one cannister of powder for both rifles. Will the Hodgdon Varget work with both? I think I remember reading that it would. And for Primers, I was going to get the CCI small rifle #400, and the CCI large rifle primers for my M1, is that correct?

I planned on getting the powder and primers from powder valley, as I would only have to pay one 25 dollar hazmat fee.

So far, for my brass, I purchased half a case of PMC for my AR, and I just plan on reloading that for now until I run low. I have several hundred rounds of the Greek surplus stuff. I will probably get a few more spam cans of that from CMP as well.

For my press, I was going to get the RCBS kit. Anybody have experience with the powder thrower that comes with it, and the Varget powder that I was looking into?

Thanks in advance for any input. I am really excited to get started!

Varget throws OK in my RCBS powder throw, but the sticks sometimes get caught and snag a little. Not a huge deal.
Look into Ramshot TAC. It's a very fine powder and works great in 223. I'm sure it would also work with 30-06, but I've never tried it. It works well in 308 and 223, so I'm sure you could use it in 30-06.

And yes, those are the primers you'll need.

[foesgth]

Reloading and the M1

I have never tried Varget for the M1. It is close to IMR4064 so you should be able to work up a load. The M1 was built for a very specific load. I use 48 grains of IMR4064 with a 150 grain bullet. I full length resize and trim for the first reload. After that I use a small base Xsizer die and don't trim. I would stick to IMR4064 or IMR4895 for the M1.

[CK_32]

varget is a good powder. But I agree with the post above it is a stick powder.. Sticks get stuck and I have to chop every now and again.. For my ar rounds I dont really care as long as im in the .5 grain +/- range but for my 308 loads I always trickle to exact..

I have never used ball or other powders but I hear the measure out better which I would think.. But it should be just fine from a RCBS thrower. Thats what I use..

[Navyguy0023]

I used a Varget load for my 223 77smk loads and it did well, but metered a little rough with the RBCS uniflow. Definately no chance of double charging with Varget in 223, pretty much full to the neck, maybe even a little crunch when you seat the bullets.

[Someguy925]

Get a reloading manual too.

H335 works pretty well since it meters well being a ball powder and all. For 30-06, I use IMR4895.

Since you're going to use the HXP greek brass, I think you need to get rid of the primer crimps.

[sfonelson]

Get a reloading manual too.

H335 works pretty well since it meters well being a ball powder and all. For 30-06, I use IMR4895.

Since you're going to use the HXP greek brass, I think you need to get rid of the primer crimps.

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I think I might change my powder choice to some IMR. I'll do some research on that.

I have heard conflicting posts on having to swage the greek brass or not. Some people do it, some others don't and they say the primer still seats OK. I think I might pick up a swager die just in case later on.

[sequoia_nomad]

H335 works pretty well since it meters well being a ball powder and all.

Just wondering what kind of primers you would suggest for H335 (in .223). I've heard that it can be difficult to ignite and a magnum sr primer is necessary. Will small rifle work?

[pdq_wizzard]

Just wondering what kind of primers you would suggest for H335 (in .223). I've heard that it can be difficult to ignite and a magnum sr primer is necessary. Will small rifle work?

I have never had a problem with SRP using H355

[sequoia_nomad]

Good to hear. I have 2 lbs. of H335 and 2000 sr primers I've been sitting on. Thanks.

[thomashoward]

Try 748

[Flyin Brian]

I would suggest using CCI #34 Military primers for Garand reloads due to the free-floating firing pin and the possibility of slam fires.

[Hoop]

Varget will work in a garand but IMR4895 might be a better choice. 4895 meters easily and works in 223, 308, 30-06, + lots of others.

edit: Win 748, AA2520 are also options if you want ball powder.

[sfonelson]

Hmmm, that's interesting. I'll look into that. It looks like powder valley doesn't carry those. The only CCI #35 they have is for the BMG, which are over 100 bucks. Are those the ones you are talking about?

I would suggest using CCI #34 Military primers for Garand reloads due to the free-floating firing pin and the possibility of slam fires.

[pdq_wizzard]

Hmmm, that's interesting. I'll look into that. It looks like powder valley doesn't carry those. The only CCI #35 they have is for the BMG, which are over 100 bucks. Are those the ones you are talking about?

no the CCI 35's are for 50 cal BMG