Questions about learning to reload bottleneck cartridges

[Dudedog]

You need to trim after sizing. Sizing changes the case shape (of course) and will effect case length.
Lots of .223/5.56 brass has crimped primer pockets.
You need to remove the crimp, different ways to so it, as always faster cost more.
I Had a Hornady lathe type trimmer, it works well but is slow. Bought a Worlds Finest Trimmer (WFT) you chuck it in a 1/2 drill and go. Much faster, money well spent IMO.
Now I don't even measure .223 brass, I just run it all thru the trimmer, if it needs to be trimmed it gets trimmed if not it doesn't. Faster that way than measuring.

 

[GONRA]

El Cheapo (Range Brass / Scrap Dealer Brass) Reloading GONRA
goes to extreme lengths to avoid slamfires with necked cases.

FULL LENGTH RESIZE ONLY / BIG ROBUST PRESS to get uniform resizing!
(Neck sizing is only for the Precision Bench Rest Shootin' Guys,
not for us Joe Blasters / Once-A-Year Hunters, etc..)

Based on experience with .50 BMG, 14.5 mm Soviet LCS Chicom "brass"-
I use RCBS Small Base dies (CH4D for the big stuff) with
STP Oil Treatment or Tri-Flow Synthetic Grease for case lube.
>>> Check it all out with a CASE GAUGE!!! <<<

Avoid Slamfires - use: CCI Military Primers.
Remington 7 1/2 Small Rifle Magnum are OK some others too....

 

[JD Fla1]

I couldn't get that darn lee case trimmer to work for me, the one with the big black knob on top. It kept slipping the threads with its plastic nut.
I had a bucket off 556 range brass, and it got old. I splurged for the wilson micrometer model lathe type with appropriate shell holders. It went fast after that.
also, had to get an rcbs military pocket primer reamer, put that on a handle, and the lyman combo reamer. All is good now.
Above comments are all good info. Good luck

 

[TheClasonater]

Lee universal decapping die. More substantial decapping system if you get brass that the flash hole isn't totally lined up. Saves major headaches.

Its easier then it should be to bend an entire rod assembly in an rcbs FL sizing die, not just break the pin. Also don't gorilla the handle. That could be my problem Especially with range pick up or LC brass. Unscrew the ball, take the pin out and screw the ball back in. That way you don't have to worry. I make a point of this, because replacement parts are not easy to come by right now. I don't reload 556 but I do pick up range LC brass, and sometimes the consistency aint there. Case inspection is critical. I use Hornady 1 shot. A lot don't like it, but I do.

Somebody said open the die set, read the instructions, and go. This is great advice with a trimmer.

Its incredibly easy to get onto a precision forum and read about shoulder bump, collet neck sizing, seating depth comparators (which I actually really like Hornady's sets), and etc.... These are for precision bolt guns and its a lot for a new handloader to take in. More reps will make you more consistent, efficient, and accurate at first than jumping into the OCD deep end right away.

I don't load metallic for autoloaders, soon maybe, but research the Lee factory crimp die. Most give it good marks for consistency in auto systems for preventing setbacks and jams.

Most importantly, have fun.

 

[Walkalong]

Neck sizing is only for the Precision Bench Rest Shootin' Guys

They don’t neck size either

 

[epags]

Lee universal decapping die. More substantial decapping system if you get brass that the flash hole isn't totally lined up. Saves major headaches....... I use Hornady 1 shot........Somebody said open the die set, read the instructions, and go. This is great advice with a trimmer.
Its incredibly easy to get onto a precision forum and read about shoulder bump, collet neck sizing, seating depth comparators (which I actually really like Hornady's sets), and etc.... These are for precision bolt guns and its a lot for a new handloader to take in. More reps will make you more consistent, efficient, and accurate at first than jumping into the OCD deep end right away.
I don't load metallic for autoloaders, soon maybe, but research the Lee factory crimp die. Most give it good marks for consistency in auto systems for preventing setbacks and jams.
Most importantly, have fun.

And for heaven's sake do not join Long Range Hunting Forum It will only cost you money and frustration trying all those esoteric ideas.
I know from personal experience.

 

[TheClasonater]

And for heaven's sake do not join Long Range Hunting Forum It will only cost you money and frustration trying all those esoteric ideas.
I know from personal experience.

^^^^YES^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
If their handloading instructions are followed, it would take a 40hr week to load 10 rnds. But, you're the numbskull because you won't shoot at an elk at 4000 yards with 30-378 weatherby super duper elephant getter dead on arrival magnum. (Sorry, had a dumb experience at a local range with one of these yahoos). Forgive me epags, but its so refreshing to hear somebody else's frustration.

 

[twarr1]

I run all my bottlenecks through a case gauge anyway. Plus, it will tell you if you need to trim.

 

[JD Fla1]

just my newb ass adding my 2 cents
I kept. bending beyond repairable, the Lee Decapping die so many times ( actually 4 times ) in the first 100 hundred .556 range cases I had. I went and bought the Mighty Armory decapper, and its still holding up after 10k cases of decapping all sorts of brass.

The gauge I bought is the Sheridan case gauge, the one with the slot in it. It will tell you everything about your brass. At least what I need to know.
Those helped me out as a virgin loader. I don't want to blow my head off, so I'm paying a little more for some sense of extra security.

 

[jmorris]

The only “small base” die I own was given to me and I don’t use it. If my firearms would only function with ammunition that was undersized, I would fix the firearm vs make special “under” ammunition for it.

+1 on the case gauge, they are handy.

 

[epags]

^^^^YES^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
If their handloading instructions are followed, it would take a 40hr week to load 10 rnds. But, you're the numbskull because you won't shoot at an elk at 4000 yards with 30-378 weatherby super duper elephant getter dead on arrival magnum. (Sorry, had a dumb experience at a local range with one of these yahoos). Forgive me epags, but its so refreshing to hear somebody else's frustration.

Yet, I do not shoot Extreme Long Range (ELR) but find there are actually people who have good ideas on how to be more accurate in reloading so I am a member of LLRH forum. LOL