Reloading for .223 (newby)

[lgraham]

I am just getting into reloading and had a couple of questions and thought that this would be the right place to ask them. First, there seems to be a lot of equipment associated with reloading and I wanted to make sure I get the right stuff. As of right now I have nothing to start with and wanted the input of some professionals before I invest. I am not looking for really high volume reloading but rather just to improve the performance and accuracy of my ammo for hunting and long range practice. First off, what exactly do I need to get started.
Second, What brand and models of presses/dies/ tumblers/ case trimmer/ scales etc. would you recommend. I don't want to spend a fortune but would like to have quality stuff and only have to buy it once.
Also in regards to brass prep I would like to just use fireformed brass since I have heard that it gives better accuracy. What are the tools and steps needed to do after I have fireformed the cases, and is there any difference in regards to the steps of reloading when using fireform cases.
Finally, I have been saving my brass and have approximately 150 pieces of fireformed .223 FEDERAL BRASS saved up (headstamp says FC). Anyhow, I have heard this brass is no good for reloading and I should just throw it away but thought I would ask here first. In addition to this, what kind of .223 brass should I get for reloading: LC, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Norma, Lapua? It seems that the Lapua/Norma/Hornady is quite expensive compared to the rest, is it really worth the extra cost? Finally, was looking at some LC brass at midway in a bulk 500 pack but it was listed as 5.56 instead of .223 I know you can't use 5.56 ammo in a .223 but would using this brass be okay? By the way my rifle is a CZ-527 .223 if that makes a difference.
I know this is a lot of questions to ask but I thought that this would be the place for it. Anyhow, any and all advise or opinions you have to give are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Luke

 

[xring]

Luke , since you're a beginner here's what I suggest . Look around for a used RCBS Rockchucker Press on this and other Sites or at the next big gun show . Look for a Set of Bonanza/Forster Benchrest 223 Dies . Buy a good , new , simple Beam Balance RCBS Scale . Get some CCI BR Primers and a Box of Sierra 52 Gr Match Bullets . Try Vita 133 , H322 , or AA2015 Powder and work your way up to a safe Load ( don't start at Max ! ) . Don't throw out the Federal Brass you have ....try it out . If your 4 or 5 shot Groups are running over 1 inch , try to find an experienced shooter at your Range as a Coach . If you are shooting 0.5 to 1.0 inch , you are on your way . If your Groups are less than 0.5 inches , forget everything I've said and buy all Benchrest Equipment ( including Rifle ) , and start into BR Competition !

 

[SS427]

I highly recommend buying a reloading kit either from RCBS or Redding. A very good start with equipment that you will always use. I'm sure the Hornady kit is good too, I just don't have any experience with it. I doubt you could pick up all that equipment individually used for the same low price.

Good dies are essential. I have some very precise, inexpensive RCBS dies. Depends on how committed you are. If you are very committed, buy some expensive dies....it is worth the investment. Redding competition dies are worth the money, and so are Forester.

Hang onto the FC brass. I'm sure it is fine. If you buy more, get Lapua. Worth every dollar you pay for it. Last longer and produces rounds with minimal runout.

For short range accuracy try some Sierra 53gr match bullets. All sorts of powder work great in the .223. I've had excellent results with Varget, H322, H335 and N133. All of my .223s like Varget, so I always advise people to start there.

 

[whiskey08]

rcbs across the board, good but less expensive than redding.

does the lake city brass have a mil crimp for the primers, is so you need a reamer or swager. If your gonna shoot .223 or .308 it makes sense to have one anyway

I love the lake city brass because it lasts for ever and its easy to work with. It does take alot of prep to get close to .25moa groups tho.

what twist is your .223. If you have at least a 8 or 9 twist id go with the 75gr amaxes or 77smk. try the tac powder it is one of the most effecient powders for that case.

press
dies with shell holder
priming tool
powder scale, buy a good one so if you start producing large volumn you can throw a charge without weighing it. Redding
tumbler w/media
loading block
calipers
primers
case lube
ammo box
log book
reamer for primer pocket
primer pocket uniformer
case trimmer
deburer for case mouths

dont know about fed brass, lapua is kinda overkill if your varmit hunting because its so expensive.

Ive got a few hundred lapua and 77smk rounds loaded for special occasions, for the most part I buy loaded prvi rounds and shoot the hell out of it.

welcome to the gun club!

 

[uncleduke]

Buy at least two reloading books like the Sierra and the Lyman. Read it over again and again. Follow every step to the letter. Take your time. Come back here with any questions. I started out without any guidance from fellow shooters, just the manuals. I still refer to them all the time. Know how to be safe in the storage of powders and primers. Only load when you have no distractions. I'm being preachy, but you can't be careful enough.

 

[RonAKA]

I'm from the ABG camp (anything but green), and here are my suggestions:

Press - Lee Classic Cast (kind of overkill for a .223, but you said you only wanted to buy once)
Dies - Forster Bushing/Bump Sizing Die, Forster Ultra Micrometer seating die. See this thread on Redding vs Forster.
Powder Measure - Lee Perfect Power Measure
Powder Scale - Redding Model 2 Balance Beam
Priming Tool - Lee Auto Prime XL
Case Trimmer - Lee with adapter for a cordless drill
Case neck Chamfer tool - Lee
Primer pocket cleaner, shell holders, - Lee
Powder trickler - Whatever you like the look of

Brass - Yes Lapua is the best. However I gather Lake City is good too. Brass can last up to 40 reloads or more, so don't over estimate the cost of good brass.

Here is a link that provides some tips on reloading accurate ammo.

Reloading for Bench and Varmints

Hopefully that helps some,

 

[K22]

Welcome to the world of reloading. I've been doing it for over 30 years and have enjoyed the benefits of producing very accurate handloads. It's a safe hobby if you follow the rules. I'll make my suggestions brief since the others have given you a fine list of items to purchase but before I'd go out and buy the equipment I'd do the following:

Step 1: Buy the Lyman Reloading Guide - it's the best book ever written for reloading especially for a new comer. It will answer all your questions and tell you what you'll need and why. Read it then go to Step 2.

Step 2: If possible, talk to get experienced reloaders. It will save you a lot of time, money and frustration. Experienced reloaders can found at almost any gun club and usually are willing to help a new comer. After reading the Lyman Guide, you will be able to understand the terminology and converse with them more effectively.

Step 3: Get out the check book and go do it! Good luck and best wishes.

 

[RJBain]

Buy at least two reloading books like the Sierra and the Lyman. Read it over again and again. Follow every step to the letter. Take your time. Come back here with any questions. I started out without any guidance from fellow shooters, just the manuals. I still refer to them all the time. Know how to be safe in the storage of powders and primers. Only load when you have no distractions. I'm being preachy, but you can't be careful enough.

+1 to what Uncleduke said. get these two books and read them first.

 

[wapiti25]

As said by others watch out for primer pocket crimps. There is some FC brass that is crimped. I think it comes in the 100rd box as sold at Wal-Mart. I have used some of it but you have to deal with the crimp, It works fine when you prep it. I chamfer the crimp with a Wilson (RCBS) type neck chamfer tool and then swage the pocket. I have good luck with IMR 4895, Benchmark, H335 in the 223 using mostly 55gr bullets. One load that really has been good for me is Benchmark and 52 or 53gr bullets. Two 223's (1 in 12 barrels) prefer the 53gr flat base bullets opposed to the 52gr BT. I like the Nosler reloading book as it shows the charge weight they found best accuracy in their testing with powders. Their data is a good starting point but may not work for your rifle.

Good shooting, Wapiti

 

[wapiti25]

There are two basic types of 223's and this is controlled by the twist rate of the barrel. The slow twist's shoot the light weight bullets, 40-60gr bullets. One of the popular twists is a 1-12, for the light bullets. The slow twist barrel's start at about 1-10 and go to about 1-7 this fast twist group is mostly so you can shoot heavy bullets in the 60-80gr bullets.