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Reloading 223
- Thread starter peterk123
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For me my most accurate load is 24.3 Varget with 69gr Barnes Match Burners, -.030 off lands. New LC brass all within 1gr and cheap primers. These are to long for the mag. They're shooting around 3/8" at 100 yds. You can cover the 5 shot group with a dime.
For 55FMJ CFE223.
For 55FMJ CFE223.
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Not all reloading dies are the same or chambers for that matter. You may need to use a comparator to check how tight the case is in the chamber and push your shoulder back a bit. I have done this with success.
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I had the same issue many, many years ago and did the small base dies. For me it was pushing back the shoulder a bit, not the sb dies. A headspace comparator IMHO is essential for many reasons.
BTW I use a designated die sets for a specific rifle for best accuracy within a given caliber.
i was told at a time to buy a set of those, and do not regret it. they last a lifetime, and, yes, the full size die needs to be carefully adjusted to push a shoulder back just as much as needed, so brass gets flush with the case cage. i use them for both case length control - trimming length - and for the shoulder push.
once the die gets setup properly it all lasts a lifetime, pretty much.
L.E. Wilson Cartridge Case Gages
L.E. Wilson Cartridge Case Gage by L.E. Wilson L.E. Wilson has been in the business of making precision reloading tools for over 80 years. This Case Length Gage allows reloaders to measure case length from the base of the cartridge to the shoulder, as well as the maximum case length. This...
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
i did some testing of 70gr noslers this morning - got an interesting WTF of the day...
had 10 rounds made in that drop, shot first 5 in the beginning, last 5 at the end.
getting tired of that larue barrel, to be honest. maybe it is a time to swap it out.
had 10 rounds made in that drop, shot first 5 in the beginning, last 5 at the end.
getting tired of that larue barrel, to be honest. maybe it is a time to swap it out.
That and the wonky powder measure metering of stick powders for such a small volume. I'm looking for SD's in the single digits and ES's in the mid to low teens when load developing. Even Varget, which is a short stick, makes that challenging to achieve.
Love hate with ball powder. Meters easily, but even if I nail the charge weights case to case by throwing low and trickling up, seems like the SDs usually aren't great compared to what I can get with extruded powders.
Practical accuracy... if I'm just trying to knock around some steel targets or blow up water bottles at 100 yards or I'm working on my rifle manipulation mostly, ball powder is easy to load on a progressive and 2 moa is fine. If I'm trying to make one hole in a target or shoot golf balls at 100 yards, I'm probably going for extruded powder and trickling each charge.
Best I've done with 2520 is with a Sierra 69g SMK at 25fps SD. With IMR3031 and a Hornady 75g BTHP Match I got down to 5 fps SD which is the lowest SD I've achieved so far. I've recently started playing with H335 and when I get near the top of the load data it seems to settle in around high teens SD.
2520 seemed to have an occasional flyer which could certainly have been me, but otherwise I was running about a 0.8-0.9" group out of a Tikka. I wasn't paying close enough attention to whether there was correlation between the extremely fast or slow shots and those that went wide.
My best groups are about 0.7" and are with IMR3031. Haven't tried Benchmark yet but I'm keeing an eye out for that, H322, and IMR8208.
I am relatively new to 223 loading though and only shoot recreationally, not in matches.
I won a silver medal at Camp Perry Nationals in the 'Modern Military' games match via 2520 loads for my self built BULA M14. I forget the chrony data, but accuracy is amazing for a semi auto. I shot a perfect score in slow prone and a 98/100 in rapids at that match. My favorite 6mm ARC load also uses 2520 and gets S-D 4.8 and ES 11.
I think my best .223 loads were ~ SD 7 ES 13 via Benchmark, BR primers, and 77 SMK's. Groups close to 1/2 MOA, give or take.
I'm going to say your opinion on this matter carries more weight than mine.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
Not necessarily. Your results with 3031 are excellent, so I'd say there are opportunities to learn from each other. Also I like how you simply state where you have been successful and share the details. Such is the stuff of a great thread. I will say this- competition does foster statistically significant claims regarding what loads are accurate. Assuming the load development work is already done, you're going to get a lot of objective results that are collected under somewhat stressful, 'real world' (LOL matches are pretty much just a game) conditions. That same .308 load I use at Perry has also won some local matches as well as postal matches with scores as high as 100-7X. My .223 loads are used out to 600 yards for high power competition as are my .30-06 loads for vintage sniper competition.
Even those who don't compete can make excellent contributions via data and posted targets. Some of those folks are in this thread.
On the flip side are those who slam what one is doing and/or boast superior results w/o data to back up their claim. Depending on my mood at times I can be a bit rough on those guys, though sometimes they don't figure it out if my digs are subtle.
![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
The man who has given me the best info on guns , loads and skill building, well lets just say I have never seen him shoot.
I will say this- competition does foster statistically significant claims regarding what loads are accurate. Assuming the load development work is already done, you're going to get a lot of objective results that are collected under somewhat stressful, 'real world' (LOL matches are pretty much just a game) conditions. That same .308 load I use at Perry has also won some local matches as well as postal matches with scores as high as 100-7X. My .223 loads are used out to 600 yards for high power competition as are my .30-06 loads for vintage sniper competition.
Even those who don't compete can make excellent contributions via data and posted targets. Some of those folks are in this thread.
On the flip side are those who slam what one is doing and/or boast superior results w/o data to back up their claim. Depending on my mood at times I can be a bit rough on those guys, though sometimes they don't figure it out if my digs are subtle.
But boy if you question his “data” be prepared for a lesson.
Guys a walking volume of gun history , interior and exterior balistics. He said he was a private contractor for Aberdeen testing grounds his claim to job type.
I test the tests that prove the tests of whats being tested.
NES has been a great source if info for me. Sometimes walking the gauntlet to get it though.
Merry Christmas
Kids are finally getting up
That's Old 'S', correct? You've mentioned some interesting stuff from him.
There's a little bit of nonsense to filter out, but generally the internet has been very beneficial for reloaders. All the book data of the old days plus many iterations for various applications, barrel lengths, dif types of actions, etc. Probably one of the bigger negatives is sorting through all the chaff to find a couple good loads that work for your particular gun. I keep a small notebook with all my pet loads plus an alternative or two. In some cases, I've migrated from my standard to something else.
Merry Christmas!
I can vouch for Paul73's lubricating thingiemajigie - I have it and it works well with any caliber- makes sizing really smooth and the price is also right.
On loading 223 - make sure your metering device is in perfect shape and is very consistent- remember that inconsistencies in metering are measured in percents... so 5% more powder in 9mm case is vastly less dangerous than 5% more powder in a 223 case. Also, keep in mind that if you double charge because of the small case neck you probably will not see it... so yeah- make sure your metering is reliable and on point...
It took me great pain but I made standard Dillon measures to drop within .2-.3 gr accuracy in a batch. Mostly within.2.
I shot last batch loaded 6.5cm with 140gr noslers and best SD was around 12, which is ok. Batch loaded .223 are closer to 16-20 usually. Individually measured are at 5-7.
But I cannot make myself to hand load and measure a batch of 400
What I found for myself- it has to be some acceptable balance between amount of time you dedicate to case prep and loading compared to actual shooting.
We had plenty of those conversations in loading forum, and I would say - I now separate all my brass between new and pre- prepared. I do not anneal, as I load hot and usually it will not last more that 5 cycles, and I see no change in case shoulder in 5 fires.
First prep is painful, I set a full size die, run a 100 cases to deprime and size, then it goes to drill mounted trimmer, then I use a punch to do primer hole - do it by a feel, then one rotation of cone cutter to smooth bullet entrance edge then brass brush. Last step is a rotation of other tool on edge of primer pocket.
Worst part is pressing case into trimmer- need good hand protection or after 100 cases it will get blisters. I usually run a 1000 like that, then keep rotating that set until it starts spitting out primers when fired, once case does it - it goes to garbage bin.
Sounds tedious but in reality it is easier to do by hand
I do similar prep for cases, though I have started annealing. I was highly resistant to annealing for many years, given that it was either a PITA to do on the cheap or required very expensive equipment. Once I found the 'Ugly Annealer' (thread link below) I am annealing as soon as 1 or two times fired from new. I am feeling a much more consistent force when sizing and the chrony results are statistically better. I'm getting more loads into the single SD and low to mid teens for ES. I am now one of the annealing koolaid drinkers.
When loading I'll go quick and dirty for iron sight 200 yards or less matches but beyond that I'll take the time to carefully prep cases and weigh charges. For the 600 yard stuff I'll sort projectiles depending on the brand. Sierra, Hornady (only use if no other choices), Nosler- yes. Berger and Lapua- generally I don't bother to sort.
Actually I'll prep cases no matter what, as I usually get many reloads on a single case. I tend to favor loads that don't push the brass to hard as long as the groups are tight.
Ugly Annealer
