n00b questions on re-loading .223 ammo

[NYY]

So im getting into reloading and have some questions... Why is it when I look for bullets online, they are .224 diameter? Where does the ".223" come from then...

Also, what type of powder should I use for .223? Any recommended brands? More specifically and importantly, how do i KNOW i can use it for .223?

Thanks!

[repomanNWP]

223 cartridges always use .224" bullet diameter... I'm not entirely sure, but I think the name "223" is a marketing name more than anything.

Like any question on reloading recipes, you'll get a ton of different answers and YMMV's, but my standard go-to recipe is 24.3gr of Ramshot TAC behind a 55gr milspec FMJBT (M193) bullet. As for primers, I'll use whatever I can find in stock, but prefer Winchester or Federal

[NYY]

223 cartridges always use .224" bullet diameter... I'm not entirely sure, but I think the name "223" is a marketing name more than anything.

Like any question on reloading recipes, you'll get a ton of different answers and YMMV's, but my standard go-to recipe is 24.3gr of Ramshot TAC behind a 55gr milspec FMJBT (M193) bullet. As for primers, I'll use whatever I can find in stock, but prefer Winchester or Federal

Okay interesting. Yeah i thought I read up somewhere that .223 is just a rounded off number or something? And okay perfect. Thats all I shoot anyways, is Federal xm193 so thats good to know! Thanks.

[cpatbay]

From what I read, some of the favorite powder are;

* Hodgdon Varget
* IMR 8208 XBR
* Ramshot TAC
* Alliant Reloder 15

Google 223 recipe and you will find some good read.

[Time of Flight]

What weight of bullet are you using?

I love shooting heavy 75 grainers...For that weight, Reloader 15 works very well.

[fabguy]

From what I have seen all bullets are .001 over than barrel size so that the rifling of the barrel has something to grab onto as it is being shot out. If there wasn't a little bit larger diameter the bullet would act as an early muzzleloader and would be all over the place. My explanation is a little cavemanish and I hope that one of the more experienced loaders chimes in to explain it better, because I may be mistaken on this.

[bruceflinch]

What weight of bullet are you using?

I love shooting heavy 75 grainers...For that weight, Reloader 15 works very well.

Heavy bullets are great w/ the correct twist in the barrel.

What's the twist rate of your barrel, OP?
What type of shooting are you loading for & what rifle?
Your Reloading Manual will list all the powder/bullet combos tested.
You buying your powder at a shop or online?
I recommend you buy a pound of whatever you want to try first. You pay a better price for 4 or 8 lbs, but it's best to make sure you have the powder that works for you.
Which Manual do you have?

Fabguys response is correctish. The bullet has to be a bit bigger to trap the expanding gases, that allow it to be pushed out the barrel at maximum velocity.

Now the 303 British is a weird one. My Lymans Manual says bullet dia of .312 plus or minus .001!

For .223, I like 4064, for both bolt gun & semi-auto. Lots of good powders out there.

[thunderbolt]

A good powder to start with is the Hodgdon Varget. Behind a 55gr FMJ-BT I started with 24.2 gr and went from there. I started about two months ago and chose Varget for my learning powder and it hasn't disappointed.

[secret.asian.man]

i use Hodgdon Varget cause some of the other powders are sensitive to hot and cold environments. i like Hodgdon Varget cause it's not that picky.

[ejhc11]

Looks like all those question could be answered by a new reloading manual. Decide on which brand of bullets you would most like to buy and get that manufacturer's manual. I like Hornady, it has a lot of modern and C&R military load recipes.

Right now Grafs.com has a special for the Hornady manual, if you buy 5 boxes of Hornady bullets you get the manual for only $10.

http://www.grafs.com/content/index/contentId/26

[Fjold]

Looks like all those question could be answered by a new reloading manual. Decide on which brand of bullets you would most like to buy and get that manufacturer's manual. I like Hornady, it has a lot of modern and C&R military load recipes.

Right now Grafs.com has a special for the Hornady manual, if you buy 5 boxes of Hornady bullets you get the manual for only $10.
http://www.grafs.com/content/index/contentId/26

+1,

Don't buy any equipment, powder, bullets, etc. until you have read a reloading manual or better yet, two manuals. Once you do that 90% of your questions will be answered and you won't wind up buying a bunch of stuff that you don't need.

[Arcaporale]

H-335 is what I've been using for my .223 reloads with 55 and 62 grain projectiles. If I'm not mistaken it's is the original powder for the 5.56 NATO round. There are many powders out there that will work well. A great resource is your reloading guide, because you've already read it front to back right? The reloading data on hodgdon's website will also have your answer.

[NYY]

alright this is great info guys. And yeah, i DID plan on reading the manual, in the reloading kit that I will get? I guess I should buy just a manual first...

Heavy bullets are great w/ the correct twist in the barrel.

What's the twist rate of your barrel, OP?
What type of shooting are you loading for & what rifle?
Your Reloading Manual will list all the powder/bullet combos tested.
You buying your powder at a shop or online?
I recommend you buy a pound of whatever you want to try first. You pay a better price for 4 or 8 lbs, but it's best to make sure you have the powder that works for you.
Which Manual do you have?

Fabguys response is correctish. The bullet has to be a bit bigger to trap the expanding gases, that allow it to be pushed out the barrel at maximum velocity.

Now the 303 British is a weird one. My Lymans Manual says bullet dia of .312 plus or minus .001!

For .223, I like 4064, for both bolt gun & semi-auto. Lots of good powders out there.

i have a 1:9 twist barrel (16" upper)
usually for 50-100 yard shooting
probably buy powder online unless i can find it nearby
like i said, I was going to read the manual in PROBABLY the Lee anniversary kit?

[choprzrul]

+1,

Don't buy any equipment, powder, bullets, etc. until you have read a reloading manual or better yet, two manuals. Once you do that 90% of your questions will be answered and you won't wind up buying a bunch of stuff that you don't need.

^^words of wisdom spoke by master those are^^

.

[killshot44]

Just buy the Lyman 49th Annual manual NOW.
You can do better than a Lee Anniversary kit.