.223 reloading help needed

[searcher]

Very little things make a pretty big difference when loading for the .223. I don't know if you ream your flash holes and turn your necks - but it can make an improvement on Lapua .223 brass - ESPECIALLY the necks. The smaller the neck, the more turning helps. Also - if you set your shoulders back too far, it can significantly increase your ES due to several factors - one being the potential for inconsistent ignition, another the amount of pressure developing before the bullet is in the lands. If you do those things, are very careful when trickling to the exact powder weight you want and keeping your neck tension as light as practical - and you have run your powder ladder, tried jamming the bullet and don't get the ES you seek -I change either the powder or bullet. In short - I'd focus on uniform necks and shoulder setback first. Good luck!

 

[Dave Zander]

"You forgot to include the number of groups to fire at each charge weight. A single group for each load really means very little statistically in determining any differences in load accuracy. A waste of components unless you shoot at least four, 5-shot groups."

There were 3 shots fired at each charge weight, that's what the OCW instructions called for.

 

[Dave Zander]

Here's what I got this morning.
5 shots at 24.7,24.8, & 24.9 grains of Varget. 24.8 gave 22 fps extreme spread.
I full-length sized (RCBS die) then expander mandrel (21st century) . charged with Autothrow V3 , FX120I scale. CBTO at 1.850" (.020" off Lands). Everything the same as last time except
i used the Lee Collet die last time.

 

[MGYSGT]

Wish I could get an ES of 17.

 

[DGP4]

With those heavy bullets, I suspect you'll get better results with RL15 powder. Also, although pricier, you may want to try N140, N550 powders as well. You do seem to be doing everything correctly so far and your ES is pretty darn good. Do you allow enough time between shots to cool the barrel?

 

[skeeljc]

If you want consistent bullet release use a pin to expand the neck as your last step in prepping the brass. It is the inside of the neck that has the biggest effect on the bullet.

 

[Dave Zander]

Thats what the Century expander mandrel is right?
It was 40 degrees yesterday when i did my test. I got a little impatient when shooting the 15 shots.
So no the barrel wasn't allowed to cool the same between shots. I wasn't shooting the best either. I know I pulled a couple of the shots. A good shooter would likely do around 1/2" or maybe a little better. The gun is capable. My main thing was getting the extreme spread down. I think i'm pretty close. I was getting some really good numbers with Fiocchi primers but I pierced a couple so i stopped the test. The Ruger is known for this problem and from what I can tell the solution is to Bush the bolt to a smaller pin diameter and a closer fit between the pin and the hole.

 

[Canuckenstein]

I'm loading .223 for Ruger Precision rifle. Stock 20" barrel
I can't seem to get a decent extreme spread.
I am using a Caldwell chronograph.
loading Lapua brass new and once fired.
I've tried Federal 205M, Remington 7-1/2, Fiocchi small rifle primers.
Tried Berger 80G vld target, 88g ELD-m, 80g ELDM and other bullets, doesn't seem to matter.
I'm in the 33 to 36 FPS extreme spread range.
loading on a rock chucker.
I have a RCBS full length sizer, I have tried a expander die after sizing and a Lee collet die that neck sizes over a mandrel.
I recently got a Autotrickler V3 thinking I wasn't dropping /weighing charges correctly on my RCBS beam scale.
I also load for a 6.5 creed and I don't have this issue.
I use Varget powder,
here are my 10 FPS readings I got today.

24.3g varget , 10 shots

2692
2705
2721
2719
2717
2709
2713
2711
2728
2702

25.1g varget , 9 shots

2797
2814
2815
2820
2814
2830
2804
2804
2802

I'm jumping the 80g VLD target about .020". Gave best grouping.
Is this maybe typical for .223 ? Could it be the Chronograph accuracy?
any help appreciated.
I shoot out to 1000 yards so I'd like to have less spread .

Considered using benchmark powder? Or Stabil6.5 there’s a fella that loads .223 at our range and says his es and sds are great. He uses a Labradar.

 

[SGK]

It's interesting to read suggestions of using a bushing die to reduce the neck and follow with an expander mandrel. The Lee collet die 'clamps' the outside of the case against a mandrel and ought to achieve the same effect in one go vs two. Thoughts?

 

[Dave Zander]

It's interesting to read suggestions of using a bushing die to reduce the neck and follow with an expander mandrel. The Lee collet die 'clamps' the outside of the case against a mandrel and ought to achieve the same effect in one go vs two. Thoughts?

Thats what I thought also. That is how it works. But it doesn't bump the shoulder back as far as I know.
I did find some H4895 yesterday, bought a pound. But I also sent my Bolt out to be bushed so I'm out of commission on testing until it comes back, 4-6 weeks.