spandit Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Decided to try out my new reloading dies for the .223 today. Had some once fired Sako & Norma brass and some 55gr Hornady V-Max bullets (was going to pull the bullets from the remaining Sako FMJ but they wouldn't budge with the kinetic puller and I haven't got a collet puller - they've got a crimping groove). Using IMR4320 powder, because that's what my mate, whose reloading kit it actually is, had. The instructions on my Lee Pacesetter dies had load data for a frangible 55gr bullet so I used the minimum load which was 23.0gr. I'd measured a factory loaded Norma round (50gr V-Max) and it was 56.48mm OAL - a lot longer than the Sako FMJ. I seated mine to 56.3mm which looked about right in comparison to the factory loads. Gave them a very light crimp, mainly to make sure the mouth of the case wasn't flared. Not 100% sure it actually did anything but at least I used all the bits! The primers were Winchester SR. Can you spot the difference between the factory & home loaded rounds? Then it was off to the range with my RWS Titan 3. First I ran a boresnake through to remove any residual oil. I then fired the four Sako FMJ and single Norma rounds as a benchmark. Then it was onto the home loads: Now, I'm not the world's best shot (and the scope isn't zeroed - all the shots were low and left) but fairly happy with the results. That's a 2" circle at 50 yards. Not sure why I got two groups but at least the gun didn't explode. I did have some feeding problems, however. Not sure why, as mentioned above, they were shorter than the Norma ammunition. Would be annoying out in the field at night. More investigation needed! Noticed the insides of the cases were quite grey with residue - not something I've seen with the factory loads. Cases weren't cleaned beforehand. Whilst I was playing, thought I'd see how much powder an empty case could take. Filled to the brim it was 28gr. Getting a bullet in would be a bit of a problem (don't know how well IMR4320 compresses) and never exceed load is 25.5gr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Interesting stuff. I'm about to start home-loading my 223 A-Bolt. Courtesy of a lesson or two from someone here. I've got Lee dies, and soft/hollow points rather than ballistic tips. I'll let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_sti5 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Factory round on the right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Factory round on the right Not saying you're right or wrong but what made you say that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I'm interested too. The rounds do look like they're seated differently. There is more tail visible on the one on the right. I've no idea which is which though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_sti5 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 you said Spot the difference, there is a little line under the polymer tip on the home load on the left which is left by the press when seating the bullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foosa Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Looks like the reload on the left, think I can see the line left by the seating die just below the ballistic tip that sometimes happens. Sti5, got there before me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've just started reloading 223 with the pacesetter dies. I went out testing my new loads on Saturday and was really pleased with the results. 50gr ballistic with 25gr of H335 powder. I had two that wouldn't chamber, and on closer inspection the bottom of the cartridge before it narrows to the rim were both ever so slightly warped. Other than that no issues with the 20 rounds I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pork chop Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 you said Spot the difference, there is a little line under the polymer tip on the home load on the left which is left by the press when seating the bullet. +1.for best results get a hornady measuring tool and a modified case.not 100% necessary but make things easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Eagle eyes! You are correct, of course (frankly, I had trouble telling them apart) It's not the most economical round to reload so buying extra equipment isn't really worth it. I'm happy with the accuracy and I don't have a crono so can't tweak the load too much. I'm sure a fox wouldn't know the difference between 23.0 and 25.5 grains at 100 yards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanky Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I had feeding problems with my 22.250 after reloading then found out it was because I was only neck resizing, after full length resizing I had no more feeding problems, could not really understand why because many people said chamber forming should be ok - not for me !!! Your home loads look good to me and appear to pattern ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I'm using a full length resizing die. It was more of an issue them getting jammed as they came out of the magazine. Once pointing towards the muzzle they chambered fine. Loading the mag is not that easy anyway - probably do more damage to the bullets than I'd ever have gained by tweaking the loading! Tell me, the fact that mine seem to shoot fine on minimum load, what's the point of trying to increase it? Less powder = cheaper shooting so why use more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Honestly, your better not modifying factory rounds. Work with good published data seek instruction and get it all right from A to C, D and E etc.. There are so many things that can go wrong here. Having an action break apart a few inches from your face etc. is quite a serious thing. Your feeding issues could have been you Jamming into the rifling, this can significantly increase the chamber pressure and render a light load too much in some guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) I'm using a full length resizing die. It was more of an issue them getting jammed as they came out of the magazine. Once pointing towards the muzzle they chambered fine. Loading the mag is not that easy anyway - probably do more damage to the bullets than I'd ever have gained by tweaking the loading! Tell me, the fact that mine seem to shoot fine on minimum load, what's the point of trying to increase it? Less powder = cheaper shooting so why use more?no no need to use more if your shooting close up but more powder gives you a different range of energy levels for taking target species at greater distances and insuring a clean kill ,adjusting powder also helps fine tune the optimal (sweet spot ) smallest possible grouping for your gun and component combination ie primers,case,powder and bullet. i reload for 223 and use 55 grain hornday bt but also have loaded some 40 grain bts that share same zero by adjusting there powder load .lets me use lighter rounds for 200yd + rabbits without having to adjust zero of my fox load Edited June 30, 2014 by remmy1100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I don't think the rounds were getting as far as the rifling - think they were catching on the edge of the breech, as I said, once in the breech the bolt closed without any problems and the primers weren't flattened after firing. I'm not modifying factory rounds anyway, I'm reloading fired cases, using recommended minimum loads with known powder and bullet weights no need to use more if your shooting close up but more powder gives you a different range of energy levels for taking target species at greater ranges insuring a clean kill the also fine tuning optimal “sweet spot” and the smallest possible group for your gun and component combination, i.e. primer, case, powder and bullet.. I need to try at longer range, I suspect. Think I can squeeze 100 yards here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I haven't played about with powder weights. Looked up the load data before I started and for my powder the minimum was 24 and max was 26 so I just went for 25! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 This takes me back to my first reloading session. The feeling of WOW I've reloaded a bullet, and I've now got a complete round. The next feeling was when I first chambered up a home-loaded round and when to fire it, thinking I hope this goes off and doesn't blow the gun up. Next was " well it went bang and I'm ok. Then it was walking down to inspect the target and looking at the group thinking that isn't bad. From there it is fairly helpful to have a chrono because it is like having a car with no speedo. My first rounds were very accurate but din't kill cleanly.I could shoot 410 cases off of fence posts at 100 paces but when I shot foxes they ran a distance before falling. I got a chrono and changed powder and bullet and developed a 55grn that does 3400fps. since I used this round it has never failed to kill the target on the spot at ranges up to about 270 paces. I'm not publishing my loading because it is a hot load and every round should be developed to suit the individual weapon mindful of pressure indications. Reloading is a hobby in it's self and you can spend an awful lot of time & money on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 This takes me back to my first reloading session. The feeling of WOW I've reloaded a bullet, and I've now got a complete round. The next feeling was when I first chambered up a home-loaded round and when to fire it, thinking I hope this goes off and doesn't blow the gun up. Next was " well it went bang and I'm ok. Then it was walking down to inspect the target and looking at the group thinking that isn't bad. From there it is fairly helpful to have a chrono because it is like having a car with no speedo. My first rounds were very accurate but din't kill cleanly.I could shoot 410 cases off of fence posts at 100 paces but when I shot foxes they ran a distance before falling. I got a chrono and changed powder and bullet and developed a 55grn that does 3400fps. since I used this round it has never failed to kill the target on the spot at ranges up to about 270 paces. I'm not publishing my loading because it is a hot load and every round should be developed to suit the individual weapon mindful of pressure indications. Reloading is a hobby in it's self and you can spend an awful lot of time & money on it. So what speed was your first load running at and what range are you shooting your fox's, super fast doesn't equal hydroponic efficiency, the idea is to dump the energy in the carcass and not through it and bullet design will have very much to do with this. Its a dangerous game to run up super hot loads unless you know what your doing,( and I'm sure you know were you are with em fortune.) and will decrease barrel life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bali Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 you said Spot the difference, there is a little line under the polymer tip on the home load on the left which is left by the press when seating the bullet. Well spotted that man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 222 loads in a 223 ! Seat the bullet out on a dummy till it wont chamber. Back it in from that a fraction. Stick the max dose in and go shoot. The two groups may be from a very slight change in your shooting position. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbangwhallop Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) Honestly, your better not modifying factory rounds. Work with good published data seek instruction and get it all right from A to C, D and E etc.. There are so many things that can go wrong here. Having an action break apart a few inches from your face etc. is quite a serious thing. Your feeding issues could have been you Jamming into the rifling, this can significantly increase the chamber pressure and render a light load too much in some guns. Kent says it all.......some of the "advice" given above is just asking for trouble. ***. Luck would appear to be playing a big part here.......you wouldn't stick your finger into a blender with your eyes shut just to see how far you could get it in. A good place to start would be reading the manufacturers manuals in links under Fisters sticky post at the top of the threads http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/109437-bullets-reloading-and-ballistics-guide/ Or go direct to the manufacturers websites, you should find the on-line manuals: Lee Precision Hodgdon Powder Lyman Reloading Nosler Bullets Look for spud1967 on YouTube Good info on reloading on stalking directory and ukvarminting forums. Better still, get yourself a mentor who know's what he's talking about or get on a pukka reloading course. Call me anal or an old **** but I've still got all me bits and I know I'm not pushing me luck and my ammo does what it supposed to do. Good luck..... Cheers Fizz Edited July 2, 2014 by fizzbangwhallop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hang on a minute, I didn't just guess a random amount. I chose the right bullets for my rifle, carefully resized the cases and loaded the minimum recommended powder load as specified by the manufacturer, not sure what more reading would accomplish initially. This isn't the only site I've looked on - believe me, I have done my research. Now, I do realise that trying to tune the load to give increased power etc. is not to be taken lightly. I'm not sure Underdog's advice is necessarily the course to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 I had feeding problems with my 22.250 after reloading then found out it was because I was only neck resizing, after full length resizing I had no more feeding problems, could not really understand why because many people said chamber forming should be ok - not for me !!! Your home loads look good to me and appear to pattern ok Rather than continually full length resizing which will in all probability reduce case life, you could try a body die. You can adjust the position of this in the press so that the case is reduced by the minimum necessary to allow it fit your chamber. Having said that, I've reloaded 3 different calibres and whereas the case needs some adjustment after x (variable) rounds, I've never yet had to do it after one shot while neck sizing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hang on a minute, I didn't just guess a random amount. I chose the right bullets for my rifle, carefully resized the cases and loaded the minimum recommended powder load as specified by the manufacturer, not sure what more reading would accomplish initially. This isn't the only site I've looked on - believe me, I have done my research. Now, I do realise that trying to tune the load to give increased power etc. is not to be taken lightly. I'm not sure Underdog's advice is necessarily the course to follow ok then dont follow it but all the fear fairies on here constantly bang on about guns blowing up forgetting they are proofed way way above anything you are going to do with appropiate powders. The same people drive or ride motor vehicles on the public roads of which caused over a thousand deaths last year! Go figure! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hang on a minute, I didn't just guess a random amount. I chose the right bullets for my rifle, carefully resized the cases and loaded the minimum recommended powder load as specified by the manufacturer, not sure what more reading would accomplish initially. This isn't the only site I've looked on - believe me, I have done my research. Now, I do realise that trying to tune the load to give increased power etc. is not to be taken lightly. I'm not sure Underdog's advice is necessarily the course to follow ok then dont follow it but all the fear fairies on here constantly bang on about guns blowing up forgetting they are proofed way way above anything you are going to do with appropiate powders. The same people drive or ride motor vehicles on the public roads of which caused over a thousand deaths last year! Go figure! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.