Critique my 223 mixed headstamp process...

[1KPerDay]

I just sort out the Lake City from the rest and save the LC09, LC13, and LC14 for the hunting loads for my son and I , the rest is mixed together and topped with with 55 FMJ or SP for range/contingency fodder.

Why those years in particular? Just curious.

 

[Blue68f100]

You may want to sort commercial from mil spec brass. I've seen some pretty large differences in case volume depending on mfg.

Other wise just load and shoot for 3 MOA accuracy. I don't even think a load workup is needed to get that kind of accuracy.

 

[Chuck R.]

Why those years in particular? Just curious.

I also sort the LC and set it aside for my 5.56 equivalent loads. Not because of brass performance, it's just easier to look at the headstamp and realize it's not a .223.

 

[entropy]

Why those years in particular? Just curious.

Because with the 09, I got the best groups from all 4 .223's I load for; The 13 and 14, I have the next most of, and get very good groups from that also. The mixed stuff doesn't group bad either, but I want the smallest groups possible for my hunting loads.

 

[1KPerDay]

You may want to sort commercial from mil spec brass. I've seen some pretty large differences in case volume depending on mfg.

Other wise just load and shoot for 3 MOA accuracy. I don't even think a load workup is needed to get that kind of accuracy.

Well, assuming your rifle is capable of below MOA accuracy with match ammo. A 3MOA rifle plus 3MOA ammo can give you 6 MOA groups.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I'm not looking for sub moa accuracy. Rack grade service rifle standards of 3 moa are good enough for me.

Seems like a whole lotta "busy work" to me for your stated goal/standard!

But hey...there's a certain zen to a lot of hobbies or work that's rewarding in itself!

 

[chamokaneman]

Sounds like a good process. I probably wouldn't take the time to weight sort them with the accuracy requirement you gave. I'm not sure I would do one work up for three different 55 grain bullets though. Can't give you any super good reason with my experience level at reloading other than to speculate that different bullet brands may give you differences you didn't anticipate.

 

[Bfh_auto]

You could probably load from min to max charge weight and still get 3 moa without sorting your brass.
I ran a test on sorting and quit wasting my time.
I noticed a bigger difference from neck turning than the small difference in case volume.
I'm happy with hitting clay pigeons at 300 yards.