Working on reloading 223.

bill3542 · 09-13-2023, 09:01 AM

I got 1/2 dozen different calibers I reload for but this year it's been 223. I did around 400 back in march and just finished another 250 that was free brass from a shooting range.

My son has around 400 he wants me to help him with but he really needs to do this himself.

Here's what where using. Midway bulk 55 grain FMJ and pointed soft point, CCI primers and AA Data 2200 powder. this stuff was purchased around 20 years back when it was cheap NOS overrun surplus powder.

bullets where 47 bucks a 1000.
primers around 2.50 a 100.
powder was 68 bucks for a 8 pound keg.

I'm 65 so where trying to get some stuff used up before I kick the bucket.

Sanders · 09-13-2023, 10:59 AM

I've been plugging away at the 1,000+ pieces of .223 brass I've saved up over the years. All range brass of various manufacturers, so it all gets cleaned, sized, trimmed and primer pockets swaged so they'll all be consistent. I got a few pounds of Varget from an estate sale I'm going to load up, and some home made hollow points that my brother-in-law swaged using .22LR brass for the jackets and lead wire for the center.

The bullets are remarkably consistent - not more than .4 gr. between any of them, with most of them right at 55 gr.

bill3542 · 09-13-2023, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanders

I've been plugging away at the 1,000+ pieces of .223 brass I've saved up over the years. All range brass of various manufacturers, so it all gets cleaned, sized, trimmed and primer pockets swaged so they'll all be consistent. I got a few pounds of Varget from an estate sale I'm going to load up, and some home made hollow points that my brother-in-law swaged using .22LR brass for the jackets and lead wire for the center.

The bullets are remarkably consistent - not more than .4 gr. between any of them, with most of them right at 55 gr.

Interesting to hear that someone does that... How do they group and are you using full power or reduced loads?

Sanders · 09-13-2023, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill3542

Interesting to hear that someone does that... How do they group and are you using full power or reduced loads?

I haven't put them on paper yet, but the ones my BiL has tested in his reloads have shown great performance.

He made the swaging dies on his mini lathe in his garage. I guess you can buy them somewhere online, though.

55chevy · 09-13-2023, 06:13 PM

southern Oregon manufacturer. Corbin swagging dies etc. Link http://www.corbins.com/feedback.htm

drh · 09-13-2023, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill3542

I'm 65 so where trying to get some stuff used up before I kick the bucket.

I'm going to be 66 soon....not sure this is kicking the bucket age, but I guess we never know.

09-13-2023, 09:01 AM	#1
bill3542 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,620	Working on reloading 223. I got 1/2 dozen different calibers I reload for but this year it's been 223. I did around 400 back in march and just finished another 250 that was free brass from a shooting range. My son has around 400 he wants me to help him with but he really needs to do this himself. Here's what where using. Midway bulk 55 grain FMJ and pointed soft point, CCI primers and AA Data 2200 powder. this stuff was purchased around 20 years back when it was cheap NOS overrun surplus powder. bullets where 47 bucks a 1000. primers around 2.50 a 100. powder was 68 bucks for a 8 pound keg. I'm 65 so where trying to get some stuff used up before I kick the bucket.

09-13-2023, 10:59 AM	#2
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 65,251	I've been plugging away at the 1,000+ pieces of .223 brass I've saved up over the years. All range brass of various manufacturers, so it all gets cleaned, sized, trimmed and primer pockets swaged so they'll all be consistent. I got a few pounds of Varget from an estate sale I'm going to load up, and some home made hollow points that my brother-in-law swaged using .22LR brass for the jackets and lead wire for the center. The bullets are remarkably consistent - not more than .4 gr. between any of them, with most of them right at 55 gr. __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

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09-13-2023, 06:13 PM	#5
55chevy Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central Orygun Posts: 4,288	southern Oregon manufacturer. Corbin swagging dies etc. Link http://www.corbins.com/feedback.htm