New to the .223 Remington

Welcome to THR!

There are primer pocket sizers that will get rid of the crimp without losing stock the the head of the case.

I use a chamfer cutter and remove minimal amount to remove crimp. Works, but longer process and have to be watchful.

Being that you're shooting out of a bolt gun, you my be able to load the heavier bullets at a longer COAL than the AR platform.

I have had good loads with CFE223 and BL-C(2). But there ard many options in powders and bullets.

50-55gr v max or nosler varmegeddon HP with benchmark or h322 and cci primers.

if you don't want to fool with primer pockets brassbombers.com has lake city all mostly same year with swaged pockets $500-$55

I use the RCSB Swager Tool to remove primer pocket rings, no loss of material. I would recommend 62gr or above as they are substantially more accurate than 52 or 55gr, use small primers. I personally use IMR 4064 or IMR 3031 as the powder of choice, I have used 1200 as well. Be sure to Lube the necks before Sizing/Depriming, then again as you are seating the bullets.

Good Luck

schotzfyred wrote:
First, using military brass, what has to be done to the primer pocket before reloading? Is there a tool needed for the job.

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You can remove the primer pocket crimp using:

• A swager die on your reloading press to push the displaced brass out of the way.
• A reamer on a hand tool or a case trimmer to remove the displaced brass.
• A countersink or similar tool to remove the displaced brass
• You can carefully trim it away using a knife.
• You can move the displaced brass using a phillips screw driver.

And I'm sure there are other methods I have never heard of before. All have plusses and minuses, just do whatever works for you.

Suggestions for powder/bullet to start....I see there are many of both available.

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Like any other round, the selection of bullet and powder depends on what you want to use it for.

What's the twist on your barrel? That will tell you where to start as far as bullet weight. Fast twist=heavier bullet, slow twist=lighter bullet.

AR Comp and Varget are two good powders. Depending on the bullet weight you choose there may be better powder than those.

look at varget for powder. its always has worked for me for a variety of grain weights, i also reload .308 and it works for that too, as well as 6.5 creed.

There are countless tools for removing the crimp on military brass. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

I was using the RCBS primer pocket swage combo on my single stage press when I was loading .223 ammo for my bolt action rifle alone. It works very well.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/235832/rcbs-primer-pocket-swager-combo-2 (on sale right now)

When I started loading for an AR style rifle I bought a Dillion Super Swage 600.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/super-swage-600_8_8_25263.html

The most accurate bullet I've shot in my bolt action rifle with a 1:12 twist is the 55gr Sierra GameKing HPBT #1390. There are many accurate bullets out there, these are most accurate for me of the ones I've shot. Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, Barnes and several others all make good FMJ and hunting bullets too. For plinking there are also bulk bullet sellers online like RMR Bullets who's owner is an active member on this forum.
https://rmrbullets.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

Varget is the most accurate powder in my rifle with that bullet. I have also used H335, H4985 and BL-C(2) but Varget took the edge.

The good news is there are well over a dozen excellent powders for loading the .223, many specifically designed around the .223. They include in no order TAC, AA2015, AA2230, Alliant AR-Comp, Power Pro 1200-R, RL-10X, Benchmark, H322, CFE-223 plus the above powders and a handful of others that are just a little less suited for the .223. That's a lot of powders!

Why bother with range brass if you are looking for a target/varmint rifle? 223 commercial brass from Winchester is cheap, heck even Lapua 223 is cheap! get some Hornady Vmax and some H335 or H322 and get busy. 40 grainers zip and are explosive, look at 53 grainers for longer range stuff with a 12 twist, if you want to shoot a longer bullet, you may need a faster twist barrel.

schotzfyred said:

New guy here and I am looking to reload the .223 Rem.
First, using military brass, what has to be done to the primer pocket before reloading? Is there a tool needed for the job.
I'll be reloading for a CZ Euro 527 bolt gun mostly for varmint and target.
Suggestions for powder/bullet to start....I see there are many of both available.
I've been reloading mostly the 45-70 of late and did some work way back on the .222, '06, the old Winchester 38-55, 25-35, 32 spcl.
The .223 seemed logical now with the AR's so popular and brass available.
Thanks

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50 gr bullets over h322

I use a Dillon Super Swage on my military brass if you go that route but everybody and his brother makes 223 commercial brass in fact Starline has announced that they are making 223 brass. As far as powders go you got quite a few to chose from 748,BLC2,AA2230,H335 can't think of others off the top of my head and if you look around there may be surplus 844 and 846 out there as welll.

Speaking of brass, I try to collect a fair amount of the same brand of commercial brass and keep it separate for my bolt action .223 rifle. The military brass is used in the AR style rifle where it was meant to be.

I have about 300 pieces of PMC brass for loading ammo shot in my Howa 1500 rifle. This brass made in Korea is of very high quality. I will use most brands in my MSR for blasting ammo but try to stick with LC, FC bad a few others for precision work with the AR.

Based upon my own frustration only-

Figure out the cost of the tools needed. Figure out the cost of a few hundred brand new cases. Make your decision. If you are picking up brass, you don't know how many times it has been fired and in what rifle and what load. Choose the easier path.

schotzfyred said:

First, using military brass, what has to be done to the primer pocket before reloading? Is there a tool needed for the job.

Click to expand...

There are likely a few dozen tools currently marketed for removing a primer pocket crimp. The most common is likely a #2 Phillips screwdriver followed by assorted swaging and reaming tools. A swaging tool will swage or rearrange the brass where as a reamer will remove some brass. They can get as fancy and automated as you wish to get. I used a #2 Phillips screwdriver for years which worked just fine, then chucked up a #2 bit in a vari speed electric drill. Today I use a case prep center which was a gift. I also do have an RCBS primer pocket swaging tool and can't recall the last time I used it. Removing the crimp is not a very painstaking or complex project.

Your rifle should have a 1:9 barrel twist rate making it ideal for 69 grain match as well as hunting bullets. You can try heavier but I would start around 69 to 70 grains. Using my bolt gun I got my best results using stick powders like IMR 4895, H 4895, IMR 4064, VihtaVuori N-133 and N-135. Your mileage may vary as your taste in bullets and powders.

Enjoy the new rifle, they are a heck of a fine rifle.

Ron

The only time a crimp is required is for a tubular magazine on a rifle, excluding pistol. I never crimp bullets.

Crimping for bottleneck cartridges causes more issues than it solves. And for my AR's the most accurate target bullet I've ever tried is the 68 grain Hornady BTHP. With H-4895 powder.

For a varmint load I just use the 55gr Hornady Soft Points and H-335

dgod said:

I would recommend 62gr or above as they are substantially more accurate than 52 or 55gr, use small primers.

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I also can't agree with that suggestion. I have had very good accuracy with the Sierra 53gr HP bullet #1400 and the Sierra 55gr HPBT bullet #1390. I am able to produce 1/2MOA groups with the #1390 bullet @100 yards. I'm sure there are others too.

I have good luck with 55 grain V-max bullets with my 1-7 twist and 1-9 twist barrels, both bolt and semi-auto guns. But, your milage may vary. There are lots of good bullets to experiment with. Better bullets equal better accuracy.

55 grain FMJ's are not the best for excellent accuracy due to the open, exposed lead base of the bullet. Great for plinking though.

When I was shooting Service rifle competition, my match ammunition was 69 grain Sierra OTM bullets with Varget. I use AA2230 with the 55 grain bullets. I've had good success with W748 and H4895 as well. There are other powders that work well in 223 Remington.

I use a mouth chamfer tool to remove the primer crimp. Not very quick but I do not get much crimped cases any more as the only range brass I encounter these days are the cases I generate at my back yard range.

I have an RCBS primer pocket swage die but I feel the press I'm using does not have enough "ass" to effectively remove the crimp. A Rockchucker or Redding Big Boss II would probably do better. Dillon's Super Swager is another good tool for removing the primer crimp.

kcofohio said:

There are primer pocket sizers that will get rid of the crimp without losing stock at the head of the case.

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They go from very cheap to very expensive.

Very cheap
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool

Middlin'
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/235832/rcbs-primer-pocket-swager-combo-2


https://www.dillonprecision.com/super-swage-600_8_8_25263.html

schotzfyred said:

I had to hold off on the CZ 527....for now I picked up a T/C Compass, and was pleasantly surprised.
I fired the first four rounds at 50 yards, and while the group was just barely on the 8 1/2 x 11 target, it measured .552".
After adjusting the scope, and staying with 4 shots, the second group measured .306", third group .356", and the fourth group was in the 10 ring and measured .382".
I was not using premium ammo.
I used my first ever hand loaded .223 Remington consisting of:
Once fired Lake City 5.56 cases.
Bulk Hornady 55 gr soft point bullets
H4895 powder
CCI 400 primers

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Nice!!!!!

I haven't had the best of luck with the specific projectile you mentioned, but I have very had nice results with other Hornady offerings.
My Savage has a 9 twist and while it does alright with 55'ers, it really shines with the 68 gr Hornady 'Match' on top of Varget
What twist is that TC?

Primer crimp removal: I use an RCBS (L.E. Wilson) deburring/ chamfering tool.
Powders: BL-C(2), AA2230, PowerPro Varmint, Varget, IMR3031, IMR 4064.
Bullets: for your application, 55 gr. V-max or 55 gr. Ballistic Tip Varmint (Varmint), Hornady 55 gr. FMJ (plinking, paper punching)

schotzfyred said:

I had to hold off on the CZ 527....for now I picked up a T/C Compass, and was pleasantly surprised.
I fired the first four rounds at 50 yards, and while the group was just barely on the 8 1/2 x 11 target, it measured .552".
After adjusting the scope, and staying with 4 shots, the second group measured .306", third group .356", and the fourth group was in the 10 ring and measured .382".
I was not using premium ammo.
I used my first ever hand loaded .223 Remington consisting of:
Once fired Lake City 5.56 cases.
Bulk Hornady 55 gr soft point bullets
H4895 powder
CCI 400 primers

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a good start!