Reloading for .223

[LHS]

I have a Savage Axis bolt action .223 on order, and want to start reloading when arrives.
I reload pistol now, but am wondering what extra I need to know before I start. I do plan on reading the rifle sections in my 3 reloading manuals, but thought I'd ask for a few himts also!

I have a case trimmer, and am planning on getting a RCBS die set if this helps.

[stimpylu32]

Rifles aren't that hard to load for , just need to follow the basic steps just like pistol rounds , FL size the case's the first time , that will make sure that they fall into spec and fit your chamber , after that you can neck size if you want to .

I haven't seen that much difference between FL & Neck sizing myself in the 223 , yet others have , as far as bullet choice , that will depend on what you want to do with the rifle and what twist the barrel has . For general shooting , the cheap Win or Speer 50g HP's do just fine , also the Hornady V-max is another good one .

For powder , BLC-2 is a good one , along with IMR 4895 and Varget .

stimpy

[necchi]

Stimpy said it, Rifle is pretty easy, and the 223 is an easy one to load for.
Neck chamfering is important, and unless your loading for an auto crimping isn't really necessary.
Biggest trouble I have is those little bullets, look for something with a boattail to begin with they're easier to start

[rdmallory]

Your rifle is supposed to have a 1-9 twist so I would try some 60 to 75 grain bullets with Varget.


Doug

[223fan]

I like the 65gr. game king in my ar-15,55gr.vmax in my encore,& 40gr. varmiter in my savage.I have had good luck with BLC-2,Varget,&H4198 powders.The 223 is a lot more usefull tha some folks would believe.Oh yea trailboss is good for reduced loads.Enjoy.

[dovehunter]

I am surprised that no one has yet mentioned H-335 powder.  Of all the powders I initially tried, it produced the tightest groups for me.  It also meters well in powder measures.

[stubshaft]

I use 2230 for bullets up to 60gr then switch to Re 15 for the heavyweights.

[Buckskin]

I am surprised that no one has yet mentioned H-335 powder.  Of all the powders I initially tried, it produced the tightest groups for me.  It also meters well in powder measures.

H332 and 335 are great with the 223.  My R-15 loves H335 and 60 grain V-Max's out to 500yds... It has a 1-9 twist also.

[cybin]

I use  50 grain hornadies and either IMr 4895 or IMr 4198 --I also use Lee dies and crimp with their factory crimp die--I know you don't have to crimp--but I have had good luck using it. 

With rifle verse pistol brass--after resizing you really need to check the lenght.  Not much of a problem with straight wall pistol calibers. Though recently I had to trim some .41 mag brass (about .006)--but have been shooting some max loads with the brass.

[oldandslow]

BLC-2 works good for me and I really like the way it meters. However---I get a little better accuracy with Varget in the two .223 rifles I load. Maybe I'm going overboard but I weigh every powder charge of every rifle round I load no matter what powder I'm using. I set the measure very close and use the trickler to get it right on. I'm shooting 40 to 50 gr. bullets and I get the best accuracy with slightly less than maximum loads with Varget.

[fast*eddie]

I went with the H335 powder for the 223 because I can use the same powder for the 7-30 waters . Made it easy .

[KansasPaul]

I shoot a Savage Predator in .223.  The barrel is a 1/9 twist.  I have used BLC-2, H335, W748, RL-15 and Varget. Out of my rifle, the most accurate load has been 55grn Hornady VMax, 27 grains of Varget with CCI 400 primer.  I also found that sorting cases by headstamp is important.  Don't forget to trim your cases.

Have FUN!

Paul