223 Rem ... New Reloader

[Bocephus]

I’m a new Reloader and member here at Accurate Shooter.

I have purchased the following to get me started loading for a couple 223 Rem bolt action 700’s (a LTR and a Varmint).

Rock Chucker press, Chargemaster Lite scale/trickler, Sinclair Micrometer trimmer with case holders, Santern funnels angling, Sinclair chamfer tool, Dewey primer pocket cleaner, Sinclair neck brushes and Imperial Sizing wax and Dry Neck lube. Also ordered Hornady Comparator with 6 bushings, Hornady Headspace gauge with 5 bushings and OAL tool. Nosler Manual #8.

If I haven’t bored you to deal RH already, I would like some suggestions.

I have 250-40gr Ballistic Tips, 2lb of Benchmark and 1000 CCI BR4 primers. I have standard Redding 2-Die set.

Nosler book says 26 starting and 28 max at 2.26 oal. Hodgdon says 25.3starting and 27.3 max at 2.28 oal.

Anyone have any good loads. Should I start at 25.3 and load in increments of .2/.3 up to 28 and watch for pressure. Pull with RCBS collet die any loads if I see pressure, or stop at the conservative 27.3?

I will be starting out with Lake City brass from factory Black Hills ammo, and switch to Lapua or Starline as I gain experience.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!
Steve

FYI- Earlier LTRs in both .223 & .308 both had a significantly longer leade than the more recent crop. Remington did it right, both are capable of bugholes, but be aware that with light for caliber bullets you may have to find something that will "jump."

 

[SteveFlock]

Weren’t the earlier LTR’s 12tw for both as well? My LTR’s are 9tw (223 Rem) and 10tw (308 Win).

I could be wrong. My next step is to check distance to lands.

Thanks

 

[Bocephus]

Weren’t the earlier LTR’s 12tw for both as well? My LTR’s are 9tw (223 Rem) and 10tw (308 Win).

I could be wrong. My next step is to check distance to lands.

Thanks

All the 223s I've owned were 1-9, the 308s were 1-12...or close. Best I could tell this held for the "P" guns as well. The remarkable part was that the earlier ones with the long leade shot as well or better than the later ones.