It's official...I can reload!!!

[rumblebee]

Took my Tikka .223 (T3 CTR 20" barrel, 1/8") out today to test the loads I made. (100yrd). This was shooting off a bench\bi-pod, no rear rest.

Loaded some for the mag @ COL 2.295 and some for single feed @ COL 2.473(this was also twice shot M193 brass). Since this was my first time out with reloading, I didn't want to expect much. WOW! I had been shooting Black Hills 77gr Blue Box and had got .530 group at 100yrds.

With my reloads I was able to get (best this round) .696 group @100yrds with the COL 2.295 (mag with 75gr BTHP) and .653 group @ 100yrds with the COL 2.473 (single feed with 75gr A Max). Not too damn bad and it was great to see the stuff that I made, work! The two best groups could have even been better, as I got to the range late and was a little rushed this round.

Thanks to those who helped with my noob questions

[rumblebee]

Cont'd

[Jimmy310]

Congrats. I just reloaded my first batch of .223 55gr fmjbt's. I used mixed brass(pmc,fiocchi,federal,etc), winchester small rifle primers, lake city .224 55gr fmj's, and IMR 4895 powder (25 grains).

Cant wait to try them out in my AR's. My biggest concern is they cycle properly.

[pennstater]

rumblebee, pretty damn nice, especially for first handloads. Whats your powder?

[r3dn3ck]

Same luck I had. Now you get to tinker with the powder charges and seating depth till you get that one hole wonder. Took me 4 load combos to get that down for .223. I'm still working on 6x45.

For almost all my rifle work, I use Varget or IMR4895. Both have similar load densities and the charge weights are close. I've never had trouble getting sub-MOA out of 4895 but wanted to try varget and have had awesome results from it.

[rumblebee]

On my list to reload is .223 for my Bushmaster Varminter. But, wanted to get some loads worked up for my Tikka and my Rem700 first. I had a mix of brass as well, but segregated it by stamp and then loaded from there. Good luck and post results if you can

Congrats. I just reloaded my first batch of .223 55gr fmjbt's. I used mixed brass(pmc,fiocchi,federal,etc), winchester small rifle primers, lake city .224 55gr fmj's, and IMR 4895 powder (25 grains).

Cant wait to try them out in my AR's. My biggest concern is they cycle properly.

I am using H4895 for these loads right now and thank you. This gives me a good starting point

rumblebee, pretty damn nice, especially for first handloads. Whats your powder?

Luck had a great part in it....well, also the fact that there's loads of data out there. I read my @ss off before I started to load. I'm just about to grab a 1lb of Varget and give that a try. The Hornady manual shows data for both the Varget and H4895, so I have something to go by. I really want to try the Varget in my Rem700 (.308). Going to start some .308 rounds with the H4895 today. When Varget comes in, I'll see how that runs...Lots to learn, but I really enjoy it

Same luck I had. Now you get to tinker with the powder charges and seating depth till you get that one hole wonder. Took me 4 load combos to get that down for .223. I'm still working on 6x45.

For almost all my rifle work, I use Varget or IMR4895. Both have similar load densities and the charge weights are close. I've never had trouble getting sub-MOA out of 4895 but wanted to try varget and have had awesome results from it.

[rudynix]

Congratulations on your success! There's nothing more satisfying that making your own loads and actually seeing an improvement over factory ammo.

[r3dn3ck]

varget seems cleaner burning so far. Otherwise, both are just excellent target powders. Might not get the highest velocities but I get really consistent accuracy and repeatability from my ammo. I'm using 25.2gr of I4895 with a 50gr Barnes Varmint Grenade in .223 (those are amazing rounds in both precision and devastating terminal performance) and 26gr of Varget with 70gr Speer TNT's in 6x45mm. Those are about a full grain off the max with no signs of pressure problems. The 6mm is rapidly becoming my favorite.

[bruce381]

what kinda scope are yopu using?

[rumblebee]

Many thanks! I'm not kidding when I say I was expecting a 5" shotgun pattern group

Congratulations on your success! There's nothing more satisfying that making your own loads and actually seeing an improvement over factory ammo.

Varget is on the way! I just got thru cleaning..H4895 seems to burn pretty clean from what I'm seeing. I like this reloading thing all the way around. Sounds like you're dialed in on your loads, or real close to it.

varget seems cleaner burning so far. Otherwise, both are just excellent target powders. Might not get the highest velocities but I get really consistent accuracy and repeatability from my ammo. I'm using 25.2gr of I4895 with a 50gr Barnes Varmint Grenade in .223 (those are amazing rounds in both precision and devastating terminal performance) and 26gr of Varget with 70gr Speer TNT's in 6x45mm. Those are about a full grain off the max with no signs of pressure problems. The 6mm is rapidly becoming my favorite.

Vortex Viper 6.5-20X50 PA <Target dot>

what kinda scope are yopu using?

[Cowboy T]

Congratulations! Now the tinkering work begins. :-)

[Justintoxicated]

Nice, so did you order that hornady Single Stage press or progressive?

[rumblebee]

IE: the fun stuff!

Congratulations! Now the tinkering work begins. :-)

I looked at the progressive for about 2 mins and decided, too much for this noob. The single stage is perfect for what I need and will allow me to get the basics down...first. To be honest, can't even really see needing a progessive down the road...but, who knows!

Nice, so did you order that hornady Single Stage press or progressive?