Reloading for High Power

[bb4429]

After shooting a High Power and CMP match late in the season, I've had the winter to anxiously await the upcoming season. In the mean time I have collected some equipment and started reloading. Wow, what a difference between store bought and your own.
After reading a couple of manuals, forums and blogs ( information overload ), I have formulated some questions.

Is there an an accuracy advantage to using a head space gauge to tweak your sizing? Will this really save brass?

Locally I can find an abundance of primers, powder and brass. But finding bullets is a chore. Any suggestions? Buy bulk online? I noticed I will be going through a few.

Currently I have tried 52 and 69 grain Sierra Match Kings. Based on my current understanding, these should be adequate for the 200 yrd. range at the club.

Thanks in advance.
Blaine.

By the way the roof connection between the ready area and firing line is a nice addition. No water down the neck!

[hipowr]

Blaine,
Taking your questions one at a time:
"Is there an an accuracy advantage to using a head space gauge to tweak your sizing? Will this really save brass?"
Not necessarily an accuracy advantage, but it will keep your brass from being worked unnecessarily and extend its life. The RCBS Precision Mic in .223 will show you how much your brass is being stretched to accommodate your existing head space. You would then use a set of Redding Competition Shellholders to adjust headspace when resizing or adjust your die accordingly. I can bring my Precision Mic to the first match for you to use if you wish.

"Locally I can find an abundance of primers, powder and brass. But finding bullets is a chore. Any suggestions? Buy bulk online? I noticed I will be going through a few."
Probably cheaper to buy bullets in quantity thru Midway, Midsouth, etc., especially when they're on sale. For shooting 200 yds., there are cheaper alternatives to Sierra Match bullets that shoot just as well. I've started using Hornady 55 gr. A-Max for example. We can discuss at the next match.

Jim S.

[kevinjbritvec]

RCBS's head space gage will insure that your ammo feeds and functions properly w/o oversizing your brass. Measure four or five fired cases to get an average measurement. Resize your cases -.004" from that fired reading. This will give you a reliable load w/o working the brass too much. Case life will be good.

52 grain SMK's are great for 100 yard matches and 200 yard matches. 69 SMK's are good for 200 and 300 yards. I'll suggest some loads for the 69's;

24.0 to 25.0 grains of
Varget
Reloder-15 or
VihtaVuori N-140 or
VihtaVuori N-540 or

24.0 grains of H-4895 or

25.0 grains of WW-748 or

23.5 grains of AA-2460 or

23.5 grains of H-335

The 52 grain bullets can be loaded to 2900 fps to 3000 fps with excellent accuracy. Most people discover they get their best groups with the light bullets even with 1/7 twist barrels. I like 20.6 grains of H-4198 (max in my rifle). H-322, AA-2015, VihtaVuori N-133, WW-748, H-335 and a host of others will work well too.

.223 is a very forgiving cartridge that works well with a lot of powders. I like Remington 7.5, CCI-BR4's, and Wolf 5.56mm primers for heavier bullets and Winchester std. small rifle works well with light bullets. Don't buy Wolf small rifle primers or Remington 6.5's they won't hold pressure. The Wolf's have to be marked "for .223" or "for 5.56mm".

I use 2.250" OAL to avoid feeding issues, 2.255" will work too but be careful with Sierra's bullets, many times they will a have a burr on the hollow point that will push them over the 2.260" max and will bind in the magazine. 2.250" is a safe OAL.

[bb4429]

Thanks Kevin!
I appreciate the info.

[leadsquirter]

Buy your bullets online in bulk for the best prices. I recommend Nosler 69 gr. in bulk of 1,000. You'll save some bucks over Sierra prices and they shoot just as good at 200 yards.

[kevinbritvec]

I think MidSouth Shooter's Supply has 1000 bullet bulk cartons of Nosler 52's and 69's in stock. The price is great when purchased this way.

I just bought a 1000 bullet box of 185 grain Nosler .45 hollow points from them for around $139.00. I think the 52 grain .224 bullets are close to $130.00 and the 69's around $140.00 or less.

Another good deal is Hornady 75 grain match bullet in the 600 round box. Usually $86.00 plus shipping. Good bullets at a good price. Reduce your 69 grain powder charges by 1.0 grain when using them.