Picking components

[etn2type]

Evening everyone, have a few questions as I sit waiting until we start the trek home.

I have a base knowledge of reloading, started when I was 21 with .40 S&W on a Lee Pro 1000 that I bought used, then I ventured into reloading .223 Rem for my AR15. I'm getting more into the bolt action/precision rifle game and I have to ask, how does everyone go about picking components?

Every caliber I look at that I would like to reload for seems to have 10 or 15 different bullet styles/weights (especially .223 Rem) and just as many manufacturers. Powder and primers are almost the same way as well. So, how do you do it? Others persons suggestions, or blind picking?

Currently not in a position to try suggestions (stuck on an aircraft carrier), but once I get home I'm planning on getting my reloading setups back up and running. Any suggestions or info you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brody

 

[joshb]

Hey Brody! Welcome to the forum!! I’m tight for time, so I’ll add to this later.
It depends on the barrel twist you have, what distance you want to shoot and how much you want to spend.
Bullets:
Customs and Berger’s are the best. I don’t compete and I get cheap sometimes so I shoot a lot of Sierra’s and Hornady’s.
Primers:
I use CCI, mostly.
Brass:
Lapua is good stuff. I use it in my custom guns. I also reuse Lake City, PMC and Federal after I empty it at the range, plinking. I sort it as best I can when I want “accurate” reloads.
Powder: I fixate on temp stable powders. Hogdon is good for that.
Fill us in on what gun you want to shoot and how far.

 

[ShootDots]

There needs to be some questions that you ask / answer yourself. Question#1: Exactly what is the rifle going to be used for? Hunting, competitive shooting? Plinking? Once that is answered, you will be started down a road. Question#2: If hunting, what is the quarry? If competitive shooting, what discipline? Question#3: Assuming it's for hunting deer. What distance will the vast majority of the deer be shot at? Obviously, the same questions for varmint hunting or say Elk hunting.
Once those questions have been determined, another question will arise: "How much money am I prepared to spend"? Will I go "custom" or "off the shelf"? Once you answer these questions, come back here, let the forum know the answers, and you will find a wealth of information here to help you get exactly what you are looking for! That's the best answer I can give you!

 

[nmkid]

Do you have any money? If not, start borrowing, you are going to need it! This site has been known to empty wallets real fast. Oh, almost forgot, welcome.

 

[JMayo]

If just shooting I'd say pick the powder then use the bullets & primers it's loading site mentions.
If you shoot with ppl (competing) you'll shoot what the good shooters are shooting.

 

[Zero333]

For precision reloading, it's best to use a single stage press.

Problem is exactly what you're asking. There are so many options to choose from ... it all comes down to the task of the cartridge and the amount of $$$ you willing to spend.

Generally speaking in a very quick answer........

223 / 5.56 primers ??? cci450 / Fed-205m / cci-34 (for semi-auto rifles).

223 / 5.56 brass ??? Lapua for the most precision / L.C. for semi-auto / Winchester is ok.

Powder ??? lighter 223 bullets = Benchmark / mid to heavy bullets = H-4895 / Heavy bullets = Varget.

223 / 5.56 bullets ??? depends what you need them to do !!! Berger is at the top of the heap excluding custom bullets. Sierra are good. Nosler and Hornady are ok too.

1 Load all 223 rifles shoot good is 25 gr of Varget, 69 gr Sierra Matchking.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON PRESSURE SIGNS !!!

ALWAYS REDUCE AND WORK UP,,, OR START WITH RECOMMENDED STARTING LOADS AND WORK UP TOWARDS MAX, LOOKING FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.

Every rifle is different and even if using the same exact components listed in a load, you can hit pressure signs very early due to lot to lot variances of the components among other things.

 

[etn2type]

Thank you for the welcome to the forum.

I should have included that this will primarily be for target shooting, and eventually I would like to start competing after my transfer next year (going to Texas). And I would like to start hunting, but I'll focus mainly on hitting steel and putting multiple projectiles into the same hole.

Like I said, I have some equipment, I have 5 Lee Pro 1000 presses (I bought three for $50 each and then my dad bought two and gave me those), and I have an old RCBS single stage (pre-Rock Chucker I believe). I'm prepared to spend more and build my equipment selection, biggest issue will be space. After I transfer, I'll probably be stuck in an apartment for the first 6-12 months, planning on a two bedroom place so I can have a room with nothing but my firearms and reloading equipment (joys of being single).

As for actual competition, I would like to shoot 3-gun and PRS style rifle competitions. I'm not too concerned about the quality/consistency of ammo for my 3-gun AR15/Pistol. The Pro 1000 presses work wonderfully for those. PRS I know I'll want more specific equipment to reload for my bolt actions.

 

[Uncle Ed]

I should have included that this will primarily be for target shooting, and eventually I would like to start competing after my transfer next year (going to Texas). And I would like to start hunting, but I'll focus mainly on hitting steel and putting multiple projectiles into the same hole.

If you are going to NAS Corpus Christi you will need a 12 gauge shotgun for wing shooting mosquitoes. Plus plenty of rust inhibiting oils and grease due to the heat and humidity. If its not too late ask for a transfer to someplace else or ask for a compassionate discharge.

Signed
Uncle Ed
1968 graduate of Flour Bluff HS Corpus Christi Texas.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thank you for your service mr sailor. Anything you need let us know.

 

[ShootDots]

Thank you for the welcome to the forum.

I should have included that this will primarily be for target shooting, and eventually I would like to start competing after my transfer next year (going to Texas). And I would like to start hunting, but I'll focus mainly on hitting steel and putting multiple projectiles into the same hole.

Like I said, I have some equipment, I have 5 Lee Pro 1000 presses (I bought three for $50 each and then my dad bought two and gave me those), and I have an old RCBS single stage (pre-Rock Chucker I believe). I'm prepared to spend more and build my equipment selection, biggest issue will be space. After I transfer, I'll probably be stuck in an apartment for the first 6-12 months, planning on a two bedroom place so I can have a room with nothing but my firearms and reloading equipment (joys of being single).

As for actual competition, I would like to shoot 3-gun and PRS style rifle competitions. I'm not too concerned about the quality/consistency of ammo for my 3-gun AR15/Pistol. The Pro 1000 presses work wonderfully for those. PRS I know I'll want more specific equipment to reload for my bolt actions.

There are plenty of "PRS" (Steel Plate) shooters on this site. A HUGE concern is to get the correct action length and reamer freebore. Proper feeding with "long-for-caliber" bullets that still seat out above the neck / shoulder junction is crucial. Hopefully, a few of them will chime in to help you answer these necessary questions. There are a host of other needs in that discipline that should be met if you are set on being really competitive in that arena..

 

[etn2type]

If you are going to NAS Corpus Christi you will need a 12 gauge shotgun for wing shooting mosquitoes. Plus plenty of rust inhibiting oils and grease due to the heat and humidity. If its not too late ask for a transfer to someplace else or ask for a compassionate discharge.

Signed
Uncle Ed
1968 graduate of Flour Bluff HS Corpus Christi Texas.

I appreciate your sentiment, fortunately I won't be going to Corpus Christi. I'm destined for NRD Houston, which is a massive area. Don't know exactly where yet.

 

[etn2type]

Thank you for your service mr sailor. Anything you need let us know.

Thank you for the continued support.

 

[etn2type]

There are plenty of "PRS" (Steel Plate) shooters on this site. A HUGE concern is to get the correct action length and reamer freebore. Proper feeding with "long-for-caliber" bullets that still seat out above the neck / shoulder junction is crucial. Hopefully, a few of them will chime in to help you answer these necessary questions. There are a host of other needs in that discipline that should be met if you are set on being really competitive in that arena..

I'm sure there's never an end to the information you can find to improve your handloads. I just have to find where to start. And I'm open to any info.

 

[ShootDots]

I'm sure there's never an end to the information you can find to improve your handloads. I just have to find where to start. And I'm open to any info.

I shoot F-Open. One of the things I lacked when I started was someone to "guide" me to the actions, barrels, reamers and "competitive loading techniques". It is BY FAR best to get someone in the particular shooting discipline you are looking at to help you with all these serious questions. Benchrester are just that, benchresters. F-Class shooters the same, just F-Class shooters. PRS shooters KNOW the idiosyncrasies of that discipline, just as Benchresters do Benchrest as F-Class shooters do F-Class. Get the proper help! It will save you time, energy, less frustration and certainly save you $$$s which in ANY shooting discipline can quickly become costly!

 

[etn2type]

I shoot F-Open. One of the things I lacked when I started was someone to "guide" me to the actions, barrels, reamers and "competitive loading techniques". It is BY FAR best to get someone in the particular shooting discipline you are looking at to help you with all these serious questions. Benchrester are just that, benchresters. F-Class shooters the same, just F-Class shooters. PRS shooters KNOW the idiosyncrasies of that discipline, just as Benchresters do Benchrest as F-Class shooters do F-Class. Get the proper help! It will save you time, energy, less frustration and certainly save you $$$s which in ANY shooting discipline can quickly become costly!

These are all good points, I hadn't thought about it in that way.

 

[Conaso]

For precision reloading, it's best to use a single stage press.


223 / 5.56 primers ??? cci450 / Fed-205m / cci-34 (for semi-auto rifles).

CCI 450 and FED 205-M are small rifle primers-MAGNUM; CCI 34 are LARGE rifle primers. The correct primer is CCI #41.

 

[etn2type]

CCI 450 and FED 205-M are small rifle primers-MAGNUM; CCI 34 are LARGE rifle primers. The correct primer is CCI #41.

Now that you mention it, and I think about it, you're correct.

 

[dogdude]

CCI 450 and FED 205-M are small rifle primers-MAGNUM; CCI 34 are LARGE rifle primers. The correct primer is CCI #41.

CCI 450's are Magnum...Fed 205 M's are Not..M means Match.

 

[hogpatrol]

Hey Brody, First, thanks are in order for serving. As others have posted, figure out your mission, find others doing the same thing and go from there. Although guys on this board, me included, love spending other people's money, someone who has the same interests as you will be your best resource, and the cheapest.

 

[Zero333]

Now that you mention it, and I think about it, you're correct.

Thanks for the correction !! cci #41 is the correct one for small primer gas guns.