This text first appeared on AmmoLand Information on March 20, 2024, and seems right here now with contemporary updates.
In my first reloading article, I launched shooters to the world of reloading. We checked out parts, tools, procedures, and so forth. For the second a part of this sequence, we are going to have a look at reloading .223. This is without doubt one of the hottest calibers to reload, together with 9mm. Despite the fact that you should buy both caliber in bulk, with the latest spike in costs, it’s nonetheless cheaper, in the long term, to “roll your personal.”
This text will delve into the query of why you’d wish to reload this caliber, the tools that it’s essential reload this rifle caliber, its parts, and different normal info. Hopefully, I can throw in a couple of ideas alongside the best way.
Why Reload The .223?
Let’s have a look at the query of why we might wish to reload this caliber, particularly when you should buy it in bulk as talked about above. There’s a couple of reply to that query.
One factor that reloading .223 can do for you is offer you complete management over your hundreds…
Need to shoot a sure bullet that you would be able to’t discover in loaded ammo in a retailer or on-line?
How about it’s essential load some lower-pressure hundreds which can be down a grain or two of powder for a brand new shooter?
Do we have to make totally different hundreds to be shot in a bolt motion versus these sure for an AR?
Load your personal. This alone is the rationale that many rifle shooters select to reload. You’re in command and may do no matter you wish to do — inside motive, in fact — the place loading this versatile caliber is anxious.
Interested by what’s wanted to reload? I described the 4 primary forms of reloading presses within the first article, so you may get info there in regards to the selections you’ve gotten the place they’re involved. I additionally describe the opposite tools you’ll want.
The second (enormous) motive to reload is that it might prevent some cash. There’s something to consider the place that is involved, although… you must personal the tools first. In the event you run out and purchase a reloading press, dies, calipers, powder scale/measure, parts, and different instruments of the commerce, you’ll not understand many financial savings initially. You’ll, nonetheless, make progress within the amortization of the price of your set-up with every spherical you load.
In my expertise (I’ve been reloading and serving to new reloaders since 1978), most new reloaders purchase a set-up to load one or probably two calibers. That is nice, as you’ll be able to department out to different calibers as wanted. However for those who purchase every little thing wanted, even for simply the .223, you’re nonetheless out a fairly penny. You’ll ultimately re-coup the fee, as I stated above… it would simply take time.
Dwell Stock Value Checker
Parts: Let’s Do The Math
OK… you’ve purchased what you want when it comes to tools and parts. How a lot will that price? A reloading equipment with every little thing it’s essential get going might price anyplace from about $150 to simply instances that quantity… that’s a subject we’ll sort out in a bit extra element within the third article of this sequence, so keep tuned.
What about parts? Let’s do a fast breakdown of what chances are you’ll count on to spend on parts.
Brass/Case: We’ll assume you’ve hung to your fired brass or have been gifted some by your non-reloader capturing buddies. You’ll nonetheless want primers, bullets, and powder. Math was by no means my sturdy swimsuit (I used to be a music instructor – to cite the outdated joke, I counted to 4, then began over…).
PRIMERS: I simply noticed CCI small rifle primers in my native gun store for $80/1000. That’s 8¢ every.
BULLETS: I lately purchased some navy pull-down 55-grain FMJ bullets for $52/500. That’s barely greater than a dime every. They appear model new and can work very effectively for my functions.
POWDER: You sometimes will load a cost of between 23 and 27 grains of most powders appropriate for the .223. Let’s say 26 for this situation. A pound of powder consists of seven,000 grains and now will price round $30-$45. In the event you discover it domestically, there isn’t any HazMat payment to cope with. We’ll assume $35/pound at your LGS. That equals .005¢/grain, so 26 grains could be 13¢.
Including it up, now we have:
Case: offered
Bullet: 10¢
Primer: 8¢
Powder: 13¢
That provides as much as 31¢ every. That is, admittedly, a low-end instance… if you need name-brand manufacturing facility looking or heavier bullets, you’ll pay extra. My level is to indicate you that you would be able to get monetary savings over the bulk-buy ammo if you wish to. I’ve not seen .223 ammo in any amount for lower than $.46/spherical. That’s $.15 greater than what yours price to make.
Once more, this assumes you already personal the tools and have the time to spend money on pumping your reloading press deal with up and down dozens of instances. Most folk who reload contemplate it a companion pastime to capturing and luxuriate in turning out loaded rounds.
Gear
A typical reloading set-up consists of a reloading press with a powder measure of some type and a powder scale. We assumed, keep in mind, that you simply had circumstances out there to you…
… so it’s essential lube them. Lubed circumstances are usually not non-compulsory except you want digging caught circumstances out of your die. You will have case lube and dies for the caliber(s) you load except you personal a carbide sizer die. That is bare-bones.
You also needs to spend money on calipers of some type (dial or digital), a bullet puller, and storage bins for parts and loaded rounds. The third tier of apparatus that it’s best to add later would come with a case trimmer with totally different pilots, a glass to wash your circumstances, and a case deburring device. I described all of those within the earlier reloading article.
When it comes to illustrations for this text, I can be utilizing my Dillon Precision XL750 press, arrange for .223. I selected to indicate one case because it goes by means of the method, for readability. Usually, all stations could be full. It is a progressive press and, as such, produces a loaded spherical with every pull of the deal with (as soon as all of the stations are full). You might wish to contemplate a single-stage or turret press to get began with, however I needed to indicate you the quickest strategy to produce loaded ammo. That will be with a progressive press. In the event you can swing a kind of, you’ll be impressed with how rapidly your ammo provide builds! For the variations between the forms of presses, I’ll but once more seek advice from my authentic article. It explains the presses fairly effectively, together with different tools.
The Guide
I waited till now to say reloading manuals. A brand new reloader (and even an skilled one) wants a minimum of one guide printed by an organization that makes bullets, powder, or reloading tools. My go-to has been the Hornady guide for years. There’s nothing incorrect with any of the others… I’ve simply labored with the corporate for earlier opinions, and the oldsters at Hornady have all the time been extraordinarily useful. You may get this explicit guide in a hard-bound e book, e-book, or within the Hornady app.
Why not simply get reloading knowledge off the web? Opposite to well-liked perception, every little thing printed on the nice outdated interweb just isn’t all the time true, good, or correct. Except you’re getting knowledge from a producer, do your self a favor and use verified knowledge from a good producer.
So… What Parts Ought to I Purchase?
As I discussed earlier, you will want circumstances, bullets, primers, and powder. What you purchase is decided by what sort of capturing you’ll do.
Bullets. If you wish to eradicate that pesky prairie canine city behind your again corn subject, you’d in all probability need a lighter varmint-type bullet that just about explodes on impression. What if you wish to shoot paper or metal targets method on the market? A heavier bullet with an excellent ballistic coefficient could be helpful.
How about ammo to shoot these marauding tin cans within the again lot? Plain outdated cheap 55-grain FMJ bullets (just like these I purchased) would work. There are such a lot of good bullets on the market on the market that I received’t try and record them. Simply keep in mind to purchase from an excellent vendor or producer… don’t guess that the bullets that your cousin Bob’s gun-guy good friend Tony sourced can be any good. Stick to main producers or on-line bulk sellers which have nice scores. They’re on the market. I discussed one above that I simply handled and I’m glad.
Right here’s one thing to recollect… .223 rifles which have been round for a couple of years might have barrels which can be rifled with a 1:10 or 1:12 twist. These twist charges are usually not finest with heavier bullets — they had been made just about for 55-grain bullets or lighter. If you wish to shoot the complete weight vary of easily-obtained .223 bullets (from roughly 40 to 80 grains, in spherical numbers), be certain the barrel of your rifle has a sooner twist like 1:8 and even 1:7. Most newer ARs could have this, as heavier bullets have gained in recognition. I don’t keep in mind the final time I noticed a .223 rifle with a gradual twist.
Powder. There are about as many appropriate powders for the .223 as there are Taylor Swift hit tunes. In a phrase, many. Some are higher than others. I’m utilizing a powder that I purchased from an LGS earlier than it closed which is a navy powder, WC844. It’s the identical as Hodgdon’s H335. It really works very effectively and was low cost. However what if you’re in your native gun retailer and are eyeing the powders on the shelf? What do you purchase? Sure powders are perennial favorites for the .223. Right here’s a brief record:
Hodgdon:
Winchester:
IMR:
Alliant:
That is certainly not an entire record however is just meant to provide you a spot to start out. There are tons of excellent powders on the market, however like I stated, you want a beginning place. Your reloading guide may help you determine what to purchase. A few of these powders are higher with lighter bullets, others, heavier ones… a couple of first rate all-around powders are H335, Varget, and IMR 4895. The powder scene has modified so much up to now few years. A number of new, “high-tech” powders have been launched, corresponding to CFE223. This powder has an additive that helps scale back copper fouling – therefore its identify, Copper Fouling Eraser.
I might decide up a pound of no matter your native people have that’s good with .223 to start out with. Load it, use it, after which on the subsequent journey to the shop, decide up a distinct sort of powder so as to add to your powder assortment as your finances permits. Powder (and primers) are simply now beginning to make a comeback after the COVID craziness, so hopefully, you will discover some domestically.
In the event you can’t discover powder domestically, for the addition of the HazMat payment (which ranges anyplace from about $23 to $50, relying on the vendor and the shipper), you’ll be able to order from a wide array on-line. Simply know that whether or not you order one pound of powder or many kilos, you’ll pay the identical payment. A number of reloaders pool their orders and break up the payment up amongst themselves. Anyway, I wanted to say that. Primers are included on the HazMat social gathering record, as effectively. Talking of primers…
Primers. Primers are what make the gun go “bang”. Keep in mind that cap gun you had as a child and used it to sneak up in your sister and pop it in her ear? Certain, you by no means did that… Primers are like caps on steroids, however many instances louder and extra harmful if used incorrect. I’ve heard of shooters who had been attempting to impress their pals, put a primer on a board, and smack it with a hammer. There’s a motive that they solely do it as soon as. That is NOT an incredible “maintain my beer” exercise!
What – No Reloading Information?
That is the place I might usually stick in mounds of reloading knowledge in my typical reloading article. I can’t do this right here, although, as a result of there’s a lot knowledge on the market. I wouldn’t know the place to start. The .223 is actually one well-liked cartridge, with scads of bullets in lots of weights and appropriate powders out there. So, as an alternative of loading this text up with all types of knowledge, enable me to state that each one the key bullet and powder producers publish knowledge for his or her merchandise. Some shooters like Hornady’s bullets… others Speer, Nosler, and so forth. So, go to these websites to assemble examined knowledge. Please… don’t simply Google “223 reloading knowledge” and go together with what Joe Shooter says works the very best. I’ve realized my lesson the place utilizing “unofficial” knowledge is anxious. Stick to the key gamers and also you’ll don’t have any regrets.
The Course of – What To Look For
Reloading the .223 just isn’t arduous. Some rifle calibers may be extra of a trial, however not the .223. However, to produce completed .223 cartridges, you continue to must comply with the accepted reloading steps. I defined what these are within the first article of the sequence – once more, the hyperlink is above. You may wish to learn that article for those who haven’t already.
Right here are some things to bear in mind as you go about loading the .223…
Keep in mind that since you’re loading a rifle cartridge with copper-jacketed bullets, flaring the case mouth as you’d for lead bullets just isn’t mandatory nor advisable. Simply use the 2 dies that got here with the set and seat the bullet usually.
The .223 headspaces on its shoulder, so don’t set the shoulder again. A trick I love to do to make sure I’m not sizing the shoulder is to take a Sharpie and make a vertical line on the case neck from the shoulder up. (An alternate that received’t completely mar your case is to take a lighter or candle and “smoke” the neck with a deposit of soot). Lube the case if you’re utilizing a “regular” (non-carbide) sizing die. Again the sizing die out 2 -3 turns and run the case into it. Test the road you drew… it ought to present the place the die rubbed the ink off. The place does that finish? How near the shoulder? If it’s nonetheless above the shoulder, run the die in a flip or so. Repeat till the road is smudged because it “simply kisses” the case shoulder.
It will dimension your circumstances with out setting the shoulder again. I all the time use full-length-size circumstances I shoot in an autoloader like an AR or Ruger Mini. In case you are capturing solely in a single bolt-action rifle and never sharing ammo with others, you may wish to neck-size solely. Simply again your die off a flip in order to not contact the shoulder. It will take a little bit of experimentation as you establish the least quantity of sizing required that also permits the bolt to shut simply. You’ll understand larger accuracy if you are able to do this, however for ammo meant for a semi-auto, I don’t advocate it. Full-length sizing is the best way to go for that motion.
Two extra staple items: Ensure that to insert bullets into case mouths as straight as you’ll be able to earlier than seating. It may well make a distinction. It might pull the neck out of spherical if the seating motion has to straighten the bullet along with seating it. That is uncommon, nevertheless it’s one thing to consider. Additionally, be certain your primers are just under flush with the case head, and certainly not ought to they protrude.
Lastly — this is applicable to every little thing you load — retailer your rifle hundreds correctly. Ensure that the bullet noses aren’t bumping round. It is a no-brainer, however you’d be shocked on the variety of loaded cartridges I’ve seen put into Zip-lock luggage and thrown right into a capturing bag. Spring for some ammo bins with labels!
And, In Conclusion…
Reloading the .223 is enjoyable and simple. Simply take note of the small print. Time spent at your loading press is an efficient strategy to loosen up, however don’t get TOO relaxed… go away the Jack Daniels within the different room. “Rolling your personal” can prevent cash and permit customization that manufacturing facility ammo might not present. The .223 is without doubt one of the best rifle cartridges I’ve loaded. Economics comes into the image, too… being a .22 caliber, you received’t want as a lot powder as bigger cartridges require, plus bullets are cheaper. Whether or not you load on a single stage, turret, or progressive press, get your parts collectively and have enjoyable! In the event you load .223, let’s hear from you beneath.
Reloading 101: Reloading for Handguns
Reloading 101: Are Progressive Presses Price It?
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Dwelling in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged creator, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
Among the hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks, that means at no extra price to you, Ammoland will earn a fee for those who click on by means of and make a purchase order.
