To Re-Load or Not???

[JaPes]

My bad. Sorry. .223 it is.

 

[Maddmax]

I have played with this idea as well. I load for bolt action rifles and OAL does indeed effect accuracy. I will take a bullet and barely seat it then load it in the chamber and use the bolt to seat the bullet then use this for starting OAL. The problem with doing this with an AR is that the leade or area between the chamber and the lands/grooves is much further out than in a bolt action and the bullet won't seat with the chambering. The only bullets that are long enough to possibly get out there will be the big heavies (80 or 90gr?). I haven't played with OAL in these bullet weights, but I'm interested as well.
I have tried it with 50-69gr bullets and don't notice it having an effect either way. If I remember correctly philevans has some experience with this as well.

Was talking with a friend at work tonight about reloading. He called a friend (on his cell) who's brother shoots iron sights in competition at 1000 yards and is an Army sniper. This guy also shoots long range and when he gets back from Chicago I'm taking my two AR's over for him to guage depths for me on my Rock River and 15 T. He did say my chrome Rock River 20" 1in 9 will handle the 80 & 90 grain bullets just fine and he'd give me load data and OAL for both. But said to stay under that (80-90 grain for the T 1 in 8 5r barrel. Also said to stay at LEAST .0010 away from the lands in the jump area of the chamber on both. He should be back in a week or two. For long range on my RR I'd have to hand load the bullets, but the barrels on both were made to take it. But definatly said to STAY OFF THE LANDS AND KEEP JUMP SPACE for the bullets. I guess they have a loading area,tools,libruary of data we never even dreamed of and a long outdoor range to die for. Back to school and two new VERY experienced tutors.

 

[storeyteller]

80-90 for a 1:9 sounds like not enough twist, but every barrel is different and I'm sure this guy knows WAY more aboout it than I do. I did get 100 of those 80's and shot 'em in the sport 5R/1:8. They showed promise, but not as much as the 75's. I have to admit that I'm jealous of you getting to pick this guy's brain. Keep us posted and don't hog all that info either! We wanta learn too.

 

[tight0023]

Reloading steps

I pulled the trigger and bought the Lee Turret press kit and have been reading a reloading book. Just wanted to see if there's a step I'm missing or recommendations to reload .223 another way.

I've been reading the Lyman 49th edition reloading book and have come up with the steps so far for .223:
1. Clean cases-Going to use a tumbler with Walnut media
2. Inspect cases
3. Inside neck bushing?-Don't know if this is needed
4. Case lubrication-Going to use the Lee lubrication that comes with my kit.
5. Resize case and primer removal-Lee turret press, bought the .223 3 die set.

-Insert 1st case into the cartridge headspace gauge

6. Remove lubricant and second inspection.-Do you recommed running the brass through the tumbler again or just wipe off the lubricant with a clean towel?
7. Measure all cases-Bought a caliper
8. Trim cases to a uniform length-Bought the Lee case trimming set with the debur/chamfer tool.

-debur

-tap case upside down

-never trim more than 4 times-Is this correct?

9. Primer seating-Set came with the Lee small and large safety prime.
10. Weighing powder and charging-Lee kit with the Pro auto disc powder measure. Also bought the Lee rifle charging die.

-test the dispenser weights-Bought a digital scale

11. Bullet seating and crimping

-seat bullet to max OAL, may very plus or minus .005"

12. Final inspection

-look for imperfections

-run fingers over primers to check for depth

-drop case in headspace gauge to make sure it will chamber properly-Bought the Wilson headspace gage.

- measure a sample of loads for OAL.

-put into case with all ammo info: date loaded, primer used, times trimmed, powder and charge, bullet brand, weigh and type, and OAL.

Now heres the Lee Classic Turret press instructions:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/90064.pdf

As well as a youtube video I found here:
Lee Classic Turret Loading .223 Remington Part II - YouTube



It's a bit different than the steps from above. I just wanted to get some recommendations from you here.

Thanks!

 

[storeyteller]

I think you're gonna do well as a reloader!
Here is what I do as related to your questions, others do it differently, you will find what works best for you.
I just wipe lube off cases, I like Hornady One Shot, if you change lubes clean you FLR die and relube it with the lube your gonna use. DO THIS EVERY TIME you change lubes! Stuck cases suck. Some of the guys re-tumble, nothing wrong with this either.
I don't neck brush and I only measure cases randomly. If the majority of my samples are over max length, I trim 'em all. I also trim cases til they crack or are otherwise unusable, that may be 2 times or 10 times. I like the auto-disk charger too, just started using it a couple of months ago. After I charge a tray, I take that tray into bright light and visually inspet each cartridge. Nothing like the human eye to see an anomaly. I have a piece of glass out of a picture frame that I lay on my loading bench and place the primed cases primer down on it. I will wobble the table and any cartridge that wobbles more than 2-3 times has a high primer. I do this prior to charging and I use a hand priming tool. If the primer goes in too easy, I throw the brass away. I also keep a journal of my reloading, and log everything I do. Again, others do it differently, just find what works best for you and stay safe.
I've no doubt that you will.

 

[tight0023]

I think you're gonna do well as a reloader!
Here is what I do as related to your questions, others do it differently, you will find what works best for you.
I just wipe lube off cases, I like Hornady One Shot, if you change lubes clean you FLR die and relube it with the lube your gonna use. DO THIS EVERY TIME you change lubes! Stuck cases suck. Some of the guys re-tumble, nothing wrong with this either.
I don't neck brush and I only measure cases randomly. If the majority of my samples are over max length, I trim 'em all. I also trim cases til they crack or are otherwise unusable, that may be 2 times or 10 times. I like the auto-disk charger too, just started using it a couple of months ago. After I charge a tray, I take that tray into bright light and visually inspet each cartridge. Nothing like the human eye to see an anomaly. I have a piece of glass out of a picture frame that I lay on my loading bench and place the primed cases primer down on it. I will wobble the table and any cartridge that wobbles more than 2-3 times has a high primer. I do this prior to charging and I use a hand priming tool. If the primer goes in too easy, I throw the brass away. I also keep a journal of my reloading, and log everything I do. Again, others do it differently, just find what works best for you and stay safe.
I've no doubt that you will.

Thanks for the advice. I am very anal according to the ones close to me... I am thinking about just wiping the lube off with a clean towel.

 

[stavman11]

Great job on yer indepth research into re-loading... i did and it has proven itself for sure

You are doing a few more steps than I do, but do what you feel comfortable with. I have yet to wipe off lube and no issues to date. Most is alcohol based (one Shot) and seems to just go away after time...
I do use synthetic Motor oil on my 1st case and about every 20ish afterwards. Helps keep die Lubed and never have had a stuck case. Have had CAM screw loosen... but a slight tightening and case comes right out...

i also weight every case after loading to be sure it's in the right BallPark of Powder. I do it 2 at a Time and Inspect every pair of Brass and Primer before weighing each Round. that way I see any Brass issue, Primer issue and be sure it has a full Load Of Powder...In addition i will case gauge 10% ish of all Rounds...

I haven't trimmed cases in awhile.... I may test a few that are tumbling as i type this... just to see... I do Randomly test overall round Length.... nothing even close to MAX length to date.

I also use the lee pro Powder measure... Works Like a CHAMP..... and very consistent.... Ya better get one... My Advise..

I am about to hit the bench and punch out a couple Hundred more rounds.....

Weather is FINALLY cooling down... in Low 70's in am and Highs about 90.....
Have my 6 gongs and paper targets and reactive Targets all dialed now... even brought out 2 R/C Planes and flew those... was a Nice 5hr trip to the desert.... Fun Times.....

I keep looking at reloading 9mm, but without buy Bulk Components not sure its worth it yet...... maybe when my .223 bulk is low I may look at it again.... buying 9mm factory for $.22ea ish is pretty good... and I dont shoot NEAR the amount that i do of .223.... so loading .223 at about $.16/ea ea helps alot



Good luck, stay safe, and Have a BLAST.....



..........

 

[Maddmax]

80-90 for a 1:9 sounds like not enough twist, but every barrel is different and I'm sure this guy knows WAY more aboout it than I do. I did get 100 of those 80's and shot 'em in the sport 5R/1:8. They showed promise, but not as much as the 75's. I have to admit that I'm jealous of you getting to pick this guy's brain. Keep us posted and don't hog all that info either! We wanta learn too.

No worries. These two guys are shooting a 1000 rounds a week (wish I had a sponcor to feed my adiction !!). My head was smokin' after just talking with him for 20 min on lunch break. Started all my old reloading gears in motion again.

 

[oneyeopn]

I got my Lee Hand Press today, I had 150 cases sized, primed, chamfered, and polished with one of those green (I cant remember the name) scrubbing pad. All of this brass was on its 3rd reload and I length sized them but it seems that only about 1 out of every 8 or so needed any trimmed off. I also took my Lee Powder Dipper set and a jug of CFE223 and figured out what the first 10 dippers or so hold as far as the CFE, the 1.6cc dipper that comes with the Die set in a pinch would load you a charge of 26.2gr of CFE223. So I started loading my test loads using 55gr V-Max Blems from Midway, COL of 2.255. I have 10 loaded with a charge of 25.8, 10 with 26.0, 1(so far) 26.2. I am going to load a total of 10 each of 26.2, 26.4 and 26.6. I have about 300 rounds loaded up with 26.8. That load was working well for me in the Spring but I have changed my rifle a bit since and when I started I just started out in the middle between high and low and only made one adjustment once I got to shooting them. I went from 27 to 26.8. I have bullets loaded also at 27 and 27.4. GMCMan is doing well at 25 and he explained how he got his load. The bullet he is loading matches the BC of one of the 2 loads listed in the Hodgdon Manual. My bullets have a way higher BC than either of the two 55gr loads listed so I thought I would go with the hotter of the two where he went with the milder of the two. So when we get back from my Daughters wedding I will finish loading this test series and see how they shoot. Anyway I really like this Hand Loader, a person can really be finicky on what and how they are loading. And they are not really much slower than my classic single press.

 

[GMC man]

Congrats Grover on the new son-in-law

I started cleaning my brass after resizing and decapping with rubbing alcohol and you wouldnt believe the gunk it removes. then I finish prepping the cases. its a extra step but it only takes a few minutes to wash them in the alcohol but drying takes overnight.

 

[tight0023]

Congrats Grover on the new son-in-law

I started cleaning my brass after resizing and decapping with rubbing alcohol and you wouldnt believe the gunk it removes. then I finish prepping the cases. its a extra step but it only takes a few minutes to wash them in the alcohol but drying takes overnight.

So you use your tumbler first to clean the brass, then you lube it, resize and decap, clean with rubbing alcohol, trim and debur(if necessary), then seat the new primer, charge, seat the bullet, and crimp?

 

[JaPes]

Yikes! I must be lazy or something. I deprime the .223 brass with a universal deprime die. Then I chuck it into this:

Hot water + simple green + dish washing soap. I clean for about an hour. The brass doesn't come out shiny. It comes out clean & reloadable. The primer pockets also get cleaned.

I remove them from the cleaning solution, pop them into a dedicated brass salad spinner. Rinse, spin, repeat. I then dump out the brass onto a towel and let air dry.

I lube with Hornady One Shot case lube, resize, trim, deburr, champher, and am good to go.

 

[GMC man]

So you use your tumbler first to clean the brass, then you lube it, resize and decap, clean with rubbing alcohol, trim and debur(if necessary), then seat the new primer, charge, seat the bullet, and crimp?

I throw them back in the tumbler after the debur,if required for a hour to get the extra shine, I guess its the marine in me that really likes shiny brass

 

[GMC man]

Yikes! I must be lazy or something. I deprime the .223 brass with a universal deprime die. Then I chuck it into this:

Hot water + simple green + dish washing soap. I clean for about an hour. The brass doesn't come out shiny. It comes out clean & reloadable. The primer pockets also get cleaned.

I remove them from the cleaning solution, pop them into a dedicated brass salad spinner. Rinse, spin, repeat. I then dump out the brass onto a towel and let air dry.

I lube with Hornady One Shot case lube, resize, trim, and am good to go.

thats a great way to clean them I like shiny but the main objective is to get the gunk out.

 

[JaPes]

This is as clean as I get the brass.

 

[GMC man]

This is as clean as I get the brass.

Nothing wrong with that Japes they look pretty good. Its just the misguided child in me that likes the shine

 

[JaPes]

I'd like the shine too. I just don't want to deal with media, a tumbler on for hours, etc...

 

[tight0023]

I throw them back in the tumbler after the debur,if required for a hour to get the extra shine, I guess its the marine in me that really likes shiny brass

That's some REALLY clean brass there. I may try your rubbing alcohol after depriming but I don't think I will tumble again.

 

[GMC man]

What I do is put the alcohol in a tupperware container and then after resizing place the brass in the alcohol, then I put the lid on and shake vigorously ( lid needs to be tight ) and remove the brass and place the brass in the bucket lined with paper towels to dry and take a funnel with a paper towel in the funnel and pour the alcohol back into the bottle for next time. its unreal how much gunk is caught on the towel.

 

[storeyteller]

I like John's cleaner...esp the clean primer pockets. I hate cleaning primer pockets!