Reloader, first timer help

[New to 223]

So does it matter that the cases are of a different brand?

They are all once fired from my testing different rounds to see what shoots best.

As said before, the Hornady V Max @ 50 grains shot 1 hole ragged groups at 100 yards off the bench, could I just replicate that load or is that not possible ?

This is my foxing rifle so it's not a comp gun.

Sorry for perhaps asking the obvious.

[Tony Z]

Superformance loads are done with a proprietary powder no one can buy. No biggie just do as already mentioned using 2207 and similar pills already used. Good choice on 222. Many here have been around a long time where the 222 is referenced to as legendary status but it still is odd as most new shooters go 223 these days. Being a Tikka barrel twist rate will be 14 and WILL NOT stabilize the 53 Vmax which has some very enticing ballistic numbers. But it will stabilize most every other 55 grain bullet on the market. Long story short that particular bullet is a combined design from two bullets. A 75 grain Amax type sleek nose and a stock Vmax butt end that needs a 12 or faster twist to work.

To answer your last question directly you never mix case brands simply because internal capacities differ giving variable pressures ultimately causing erratic accuracy or worse, dangerous pressures.

Common to all diciples of 222 is that if 2207 does not work in a 222, then the barrel is rooted. So good advice has already been given to choose that powder. Bullets is up to you where you can go to match or varmint bullets. Your pick. My personal fav is Nosler 40 BT and 22.5 grains of 2207 (one full grain over listed ADI max so dont go near there until you get more experience) in Lapua brass for a 3550 fps velocity in my own Tikka 222. Easy sub inch groups at 200 yards all day.

One thing I know for certain, once you have owned a 222 all other factory 224s, and some wildcats, become inferior at the ease of accuracy a 222 can achieve.

[New to 223]

image.jpeg (66.77 KiB) Viewed 876 times

Just to recap, this is how it shoots Hornady factory ammo at 100 yards.

[New to 223]

I ordered 200 Vmax because the shop gave me a good discount, can I not reload those cases?

[Camel]

So you have the rifle, some empty cases and a couple hundred 50gn Vmax projectiles, any other loading gear ?

Better change your name as well, cant have that common 223 chucked in there with the classy 222.

[trevort]

If you want minute of fox you can reload all your cases but you try starting loads and work up. The max load may be different from brass brand to brand. If you are loading for accuracy you pick a brand and junk or sell the rest. Since lapua make 222 cases you could consider starting with the best though not initially necessary.

Successful loading is all about consistency


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[curan]

I ordered 200 Vmax because the shop gave me a good discount, can I not reload those cases?

Sure, 200 used Hornady cases will do fine. Just stick to Hornady cases in future, and it will be consistent.

If you wanted to win benchrest championships, then yeah, you could try higher end cases, and then cry when you lose one in the paddock. But the Hornady will do fine for what you're after. After all, that target you posted was shot with Hornady brass, just factory loaded.

Have a second read of the Mick, Branxhunter and Tony Z posts in particular. There's good info there.

And that is a very kind offer from Trev.

[trevort]

Curan he has 200 hornady projectiles. Not cases. He has mixed brand cases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Branxhunter]

NT223,

What brand cases do you have the most of?

Below is a page out of my reloading book - this one is for my .222 Anschutz. As you can see doesn't have to be flash, just as long as the important details are recorded.

image.jpeg

(110.91 KiB) Not downloaded yet

Marcus

[curan]

Curan he has 200 hornady projectiles. Not cases. He has mixed brand cases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whoops! My bad.......

.... thanks Trev.

[New to 223]

I will have 240 Hornady cases when i shoot the factory ammo that i have.

Really appreciate the time you guys are taking to help me with this process.

[trevort]

Use the hornady cases and sell or give away the others. Keep a few to practice setting up your fl die on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trevort]

But when you are ready to buy your equipment we will talk about neck dies!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tripledeuce]

Some good advice in this thread, but it may be worth bearing in mind how much you shoot? You are getting good accuracy from your factory hornadys. May be worth just buying a bulk lot of those if it will last you a few years? Then when you have used them all up you will have a heap of cases to start with if you want to.

Cost up primers, powder and projectiles and see how much you are actually saving per round by reloading. Depending on how much you are shooting, it may take a few years to pay of even a cheap reloading set up.

Of course lots of people - myself included - see reloading as a hobby in itself, then the cost isn't so much of an issue.

If you do still fancy reloading, I should have a Rcbs die set in 222 somewhere you could have for cheap.

2207 would be the powder to start with.

Hornady z-max projectiles are rumoured to be the same as v-max and can be had for less money. 50g vmax/zmax would be a good starting point.