reloading 223

[quicksilver 0]

a friend is going to help me reload a some rounds for my steyr 223, the rifle has a 1:9 twist and so far with ammo tests it seems to like 55g federal rounds. I have only checked 40 g hornady and the federal rounds to date. I will be using the rifle primarily for fox.

 

As a starting point i would like some recommendations for reloading rounds for this caliber

 

i.e. brass cases, primers, 55g bullet heads and powder.

 

if someone has a recipe for home loads for fox hunting i would be very grateful as this will give me a good starting point to check what my rifle favours.

 

i would like to thanks the contributors on the forum as i have found it a great source of knowledge

 

regards

keith

[Mr_Logic 5]

Not loaded for that rifle, but if it seems to prefer 55gr then start there with 55 v-max. Also get a box of 50gr.

 

Not sure on barrel length, if it's short then use a fast powder - I use Vit n130 which works well for me.

 

You will need to experiment to find the right load though, no substitute for that.

[quicksilver 0]

cheers MR L.

 

Have you any preferences for brass and primers, the rifle is the mountain version so it has a shot barrel, i will try the n130 powder as a starting point.

 

There is a good article in this months issues of shooting sports on a complete reloading kit from Lee, the kit is over £500 and includes everything you need to get up and running but it is outside my budget at the moment. there is a handheld primer tool included in the kit, does any one use one of these and do they speed up the reloading process.

 

thanks

keith

[Mr_Logic 5]

sorry mate I never came back to you. I use Winchester brass for my hunting loads, and Nosler for my target loads. The Nosler is fantastic stuff, and the loads using it were definitely better. How much is difficult to say because I've changed other bits due to availability of components.

 

The Winchester is fine, but needs full prep before use. Would I spend the money on the Nosler again? Hmm... for shooting foxes, nah. For target work, yep!

 

Regarding primers, I've used CCI400s, Remington 7 1/2s and some S & B stuff. the S & B is cheap and works, the Remingtons are good, the CCIs don't handle pressure too well.

[ezzy6.5 0]

If it's got a 1:9 twist then 55gn might be a tad light but if it shots well in your rifle then so be it. I use 55gn V max, 26.5gns Varget, federal match primers, sako brass. Plenty hot enough and shoots really well in my .223.

buy good brass and it'll last you for donkeys with a reasonable load.

The lee hand primer tool is great and allows you to 'feel' the primer seating into the case. you have to spend a lot more money if you want to improve on the lee tool.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ezzy.

[Mr_Logic 5]

My Remington is 1:9, shoots everything from 40 V-max to 70 Berger match really well.