Establishing 223 load for new bolt action rifle

[newageroman]

First off, hats off to you for running a bolt in a semi show! I thought about it but was sure I would get laughed out of town. I'm looking to get into 3 gun this year and will most likely go heavy metal (870, 1911, garand) because I like the old stuff.

Before you decide on trimmers, I would take a serious look at the Lee quick trim setup. That is what I use exclusively. They are cheap, trim champher and deburr all in one step, and you can use them with a cordless drill which will speed things up tremendously. Also note that to trim a different caliber, you ONLY need to buy the trim die holder, which is about 11$. They are made to work in a single stage, but can be worked into progressives.

As far as rifle reloading goes, trimming is the biggest PIA. I have a D650 and for rifle, I use a case prep head, and a load head, with checking trim length in between.
My process for M1 carb:
15 min hot wash wet tumble with HOT water and dish soap - then dry for days or back in the oven(if needed right then)
Spray lube and dry 10 mins
Case prep head: size/deprime, trim/champher/deburr
Another round of hot wash and dry
inspect and confirm no long cases
Load head: prime, powder drop, seat bullet, crimp

I just got first AR and still a bit new to 223. I'm still confirming a load, but about to buy the conversion kit for 223 for the D650 (currently all single stage loading). I use H335 that meters well. Stick powders often don't work well in powder drops, and if you are on a progressive I would keep that in mind. Varget might be more accurate, but only if you confirm each drop on a scale by hand, which really hinders the progressive setup.

I have also heard about the bobs bullets, but haven't tried them yet. Johnnys reloading bench on YT has some great vids on them. I also wont buy flat based bullets just because the BTs are so much easier to load.

[newageroman]

Ohh, one more thing, you can kind of neck size using a full length die. Look up partially full length sizing. I've done it with an 03A3. Working the bolt does have a few advantages and neck sizing is one of them.

[cdhbrad]

I use Full Length "Bushing" sizing dies for all my rifle calibers.  The bushings of differing sizes allow you to adjust the desired neck tension you will have when the round is loaded.   

[Wobbly]

I will also look into Lee neck sizing die.  If you neck size do you still need to lube?

? The Lee 223 Neck Sizing Die does not require lube because the die action comes at the neck from the side of the cartridge, rather than the traditional sliding over the case, as in Full Length resizing. The sizing takes place on the neck of the cartridge case only. Neck sizing assumes the case was fire formed in the chamber and needs no other adjustments.

Neck sizing by bushing more closely resembles FL resizing, and lube would be required for either of those.

? With 9mm pistol cases the Sizing Die is set in relationship to the shell holder to get the die over as much of the case as possible. But with 223 the FL Sizing Die is also setting where the shoulder of the case is positioned, so the adjustment of the FL Sizing Die has to be made with respect to the rifle's chamber. This is a tedious adjustment with much trial and error. Once the correct setting is achieved, you'll want to lock the die in that position within your Tool Head and hope it never changes. So you really need a dedicated Tool Head so that you never need to touch that adjustment.

Hope this helps. 

[Tyerone]

Late to the party and not a handloader, so stop reading now if that disqualifies me.  OK maybe, now stop reading since I don't have a 223!  What I can say is for such a popular cartridge capable of accuracy,  similar to my 30-06, 243 Win and 6.5 mm Creedmoor,  I'd lay odds that your rifle will like some commercial stuff nicely.  Get some copper in the bore with whatever, say 30 rounds or so, then shoot for groups from a variety of options commercially made.  Once you fmd nirvana for your rifle, go ahead with your bulk bullet buy and find the right powder for it before buying a ton of it.  Just chalk up the commercial ammo purchases for brass contribution.

The first gun you mentioned could be a tack driver wth the right ammo, who knows?  You might not be up to to the task of working up a load as good as the best off the shelf stuff.  At least if you experience a good commercial ammo combo, you won't blame yet another rifle/barrel for your poor shooting or reloading skills.  Commercial ammo has come a long ways since the 70's & 80's, my friend!