I think I have most of the equipment / measurements figured out, and I've been playing with some of the individual processes, but now I'm trying to lock down my complete reloading work flow for my particular setup, and I was hoping to get some notes on improvements or places where I might be incorrect.
Loading for 223 Rem Bolt gun, till I get a good work flow ironed out, and then i plan to switch in my other calibers. This is a work in progress and by no means the final flow.
Current 223 REM Recipe:
Hardware Context:
I know there's been a few of these threads but they seem to be pretty "available hardware" specific, so I thought I would ask for the gear I'm running.
Loading for 223 Rem Bolt gun, till I get a good work flow ironed out, and then i plan to switch in my other calibers. This is a work in progress and by no means the final flow.
Current 223 REM Recipe:
Lapua Brass
Berger 80.5 gr
Varget (~24.4 gr)
BR4 Primers
Hardware Context:
- Loading on a Forster CO-AX
- Big Dillon Tumbler - Currently using Corn Cob
- AMP Annealer, running Aztec mode.
- Forster FL Sizing Die - non-bushing
- Redding MIcrometer Seater
- 21st century Black Nitride Turning Arbor and die to set neck tension (2 thou).
- Giraud Trimmer
- Holland Modified RCBS Primer Tool
- Chargemaster / V3 Auto Trickler (coming soon)
- Wipe Down Brass with Rag: My brass stays pretty clean.
- Deprime: Depriming only die.
- Run through with Nylon Neck Brush: Clean carbon out of neck, seems like a good step to use in conjunction with the AMP.
- Anneal:
- (TBD) I think I can get away with an anneal without tumbling first due to steps 1 & 2. (Judgement call based on how dirty brass is.)
- Tumble: Corn-cob media with Lyman Polish.
- Clean Priming Pocket: Hand primer pocket cleaner. Whatever tumbling missed (if necessary).
- Case Lube: Ziploc bag and dillon case lube, also hit neck with Q-tip and dillon lube
- (TBD) Will probably test against imperial wax / other alternatives at some point.
- Dry time: > 20 min
- FL Size: Neck at 4 thou under-sized
- Mandrel: 2 thou under-sized, sets neck tension
- Tumble: Short tumble to clean off excess lube.
- Trim / Chamfer: Giraud Power Trimmer to SAMMI cartridge length
- Prime: Calibrated Priming tool. ~3 thou under flush
- Throw/Charge Powder: Reloading Trays / Caliber specific funnels.
- Bullet Lube: Dip Bullet base in Graphite Applicator.
- (TBD) This is probably the most questionable/controversial step.
- Some research indicates this may be needed when annealing, which is why I've added it for now. (Plan to test this.)
- (TBD) Dipping the bullet seems like it might be better then applying graphite to neck before loading powder.
- Seat Bullet
- Wipe down Ammo with Rag again.
- Go shooting!