2 quick .223 case prep questions

[revenant]

Hello all, new here and thanks for taking the time to help me out. I am new to reloading, and have personally loaded and fired all of 15 rounds without blowing up, which I consider to be a good thing. .

After searching through the forums, I failed to find the answer to my questions, which are-

1) if I always do a full case resize when I prep my once fired,by my own rifle) brass, will it always be the correct,as in, within spec) and safe case length, or can it still be too long and require case trimming after multiple firings, even with full length resizing every time?

2)How much variance can you see between non Lapua, reloadable cases,such as PMC, Hornady, etc)? Reason I ask is I got some good results out of Hornady brass, but I only have 20 or so of them- and I would like to load at least 50 or so. So should I simply substitute the Hornady brass for any other decent brass,I have some Rem, IMI, Black Hills, etc available), or just load however many with a single type of brass and re-experiment?

Opinions? Thanks!

 

[jb77]

Revenant, you will eventually have to trim your brass even with full length resizing. You didn't indicate what type of firearm you are reloading for. If you are looking for ultimate accuracy then better brass will make a lot of difference but if you are plinking or doing high volume shooting with a semi-auto then your standards could be relaxed.

As you reload more you will find that you wind up with a hodge podge collection of brass.

I have settled on Winchester brass for my 223 because of availibility, cost and consistency. Lapua is better but I don't need that level of quality.

Welcome and let us know what type of firearm you are loading for and you will get more detailed advice.

 

[revenant]

Thank you for the quick reply, jb.

Paradoxically, I am reloading for an AR 15, but it is a varmint/free floated 1:9 twist heavy barreled one that I use for a nice but slightly informal local 100 yard benchrest match...5 groups of 5 rounds per session, basically. I am also starting to reload for fun/plinking,55 gr. FMJs with used Remington brass), but that does not require as much accuracy/precision as the br stuff.

So for the match, I am trying to be as consistent as possible- using 52 gr. Berger HPs,which seem to group nicely) and I found a recipe that seems to work well with this rifle...

Eventually, I will build a decent bolt gun, but this is what I am using for now, and I have to admit that I enjoy the challenge of trying to accurize a semiauto...

Hope that helps clarify things a bit...

 

[ReedG]

Hi "Rev":

Take a length measurement on your brass after each firing. I find that my .223 brass fired in factory chambers will lengthen about .003" with each full length resizing. Another benefit of trimming to length is that the case mouths will be square and I believe that aids in consistent shooting.

I recommend you stay with one brand of brass for each match. There are drastic differences in wall thicknesses and weights of .223 brass. I think any of them are usable, but keep them all the same. I have good luck with Winchester. IMI is very good. I'm not convinced that in .223 Lapua is worth the money. I would go with the Winchester, keep a close eye on the length and you should be all set. Just as a note, I also believe in cutting the primer pockets to correct depth.

Good luck.