my .223 Reloading is taking a GIANT leap Forward

stavman11

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Well........ been loading .223 for awhile... pretty much had all my process dialed in.

I did kinda take about 6 months off.... so Just getting back into the shooting and reloading after my little lay off

I have 3 Lee Pro 1000 systems that work perfect. 1 for 9mm, 1 for 38s/357 and the last for .223

I do my Priming for .223 with a lee hand primer.. just esier with some of the Tight Military Primer Pockets even when they are reamed....

Been using a WFT for about a year... Love it... then saw the Girad Tri Way Trimmer... Deburs and Chamfers when it sizes the case.... PERFECT!!! Eliminates 2 more steps...

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So then was paroosing the Forums.... and what the HECK!!!

when did this get released????

Lock-N-Load® Rifle Bullet Feeder
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Nice thing is it only uses 1 Die Spot.... and the size appears to be compatable with the Lee pro 1000 3hole plates...

So after a week or so of contemplating, and finding it for just under $320 shipped.... i Pulled the trigger

So next week should be interesting... the Girad is supposed ta ship Monday... and the Hornady should ship today...


This should increase my productivity considerably... and Also make it easier to Monitor Powder drops and Case feeder also...

I plan on doing a Box Opening review as well as setup review... and some Nice Video's as well


Fun Fun Fun!!!
 

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I do all my sizing. flaring, priming etc, right from my Laziboy recliner.

No complicated equipment required.
 
Stav, I have a few questions. What primer pocket reamer are you using? I have some ~300 mil-surplus .223 that will need reaming. Are you happy with the reamer or would you trade it for another? I have the Hornady LNL also. Why not let the LNL seat the primers? Thanks.
 
what i have done is set the Reamer from the ZIP Tool into my Drill... or I also have a 5/8" Countersink Bit I use... steeper angle on it and Like it the best
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Actually its a Hornady inside Chamfer Bit not from Zip Tool
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works Perfect on the Primer pockets as well...

Set up that drill... and set the WFT in another drill (soon to be Girad) and hit the Primer Pocket, spin the case... then Size case in the WFT...

Works real well....

Reason I dont do the Primer Seating on the Lee Pro 1000... is even if I THINK I got the Pocket Perfect... they still are tight and just causes grief in the Press... all Other Calibers I load I do it on the Press... .223 is just, well, a pain... so I make it as easy as I can.....

With the hand Primer i can feel every case... tight or Loose... and dont have any guess work... Just makes it easier for me

Stav, I have a few questions. What primer pocket reamer are you using? I have some ~300 mil-surplus .223 that will need reaming. Are you happy with the reamer or would you trade it for another? I have the Hornady LNL also. Why not let the LNL seat the primers? Thanks.
 
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Thank you! I had a similar conversation with an employee at my local C-A-L Ranch store here locally and I'm becoming a believer in the drill/chamfer tool for the Mil .223 primer pockets! I haven't done my homework on the Giraud Tool Company; where can the tool be purchased?
 
In the mid 80's I did a 20,000 batch of 5.56/223 I deprimed (with a universal decapping die) on a turret press and swadged the primer pockets with the RCBS tool (also on the turret press). The pocket swadging tool was about $12 at the time, they are around $35-$50 now. That is a serious outlay of cash, but I could do both steps at the rate of 4 or 5 hundred per hour. Ivan
 
I believe the address is www.giraudtool.com

FWIW, I have one of David's trimmers (the fancy electric one), and it is an incredible machine. Brass prep is a pain in the keister, but the Giraud trimmer makes it less of a pain. But I also hasten to add that his trimmer is NOT inexpensive; if memory serves, it runs about $470 plus shipping set up for one caliber, and additional trimmer setups run about $40 per...
 
FWIW, I have one of David's trimmers (the fancy electric one), and it is an incredible machine. Brass prep is a pain in the keister, but the Giraud trimmer makes it less of a pain. But I also hasten to add that his trimmer is NOT inexpensive; if memory serves, it runs about $470 plus shipping set up for one caliber, and additional trimmer setups run about $40 per...

Yep..not inexpensive..but boy that thing does a real job. I have 3 extra setups with mine. I quickly turned out almost 8000 223s with it right after I got it. I also have a Dillon trimmer and that darn thing really does well too. Best part is you just put the brass in the hopper and pull the handle. I have an extra tool head for the Super 1050 with the trimmer set up on it..It takes a very short time to do a bunch. All in ll I think I prefer the Giraud. I bought the Dillon set up on a Rockchucker press at an auction for 80 bucks..The Giraud cost considerably more. That guy makes some really great products.
 
UPS FINALLY landed Today with my Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder

Great news is that the Feeder Die will fit just Dandy in the 3rd Position of my Lee Pro 1000..So thats Good....:)

Ill post some Pics tomorrow once i get time ta sort things out in the Box


As for the Girade Trimmers... i looked at the spendy one... but my WFT is great but having to de-bur and chamfer in 2 more steps.. not including Primer pockets... it didnt cut it... so the Girade 3 way trimmer was perfect and Fast... and only $90:D


Gunna be a fun day Tomorrow
 
well the experiment is over:mad:

wont work on the Lee Pro 1000 system for Rifle

On the Lee System the turret Rotates starting Mid Stroke, where as the LNL and Dillon Rotate at Bottom of Stroke... so Thus with the Rifle/223 case it has not yet exited the Die Completely at Mid Stroke

so whats the next step You ask? Sent a wish list off to a friend about a Dillon 650xl.... they are Local here in AZ.... so may have ta get one ASAP:D
 
I just placed on order for the Giraud Tri Way trimmer in .223 Remington. This should make life a lot easier when doing case prep. If it works well enough I will look at another for 30-06 Springfield.
 
I bought a Hornady case prep center. I got a decent deal on one, had my machinist buddy setup the trimmer for inside deburring as it cuts. Then everything else can be done to the case right there. Case prep is a PITA, but it's a bit easier not having to move to diff machines & rehandle the cases. 223 is the biggest concern for me, has the most prep to do.
 
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