done

[stevemiller]

got what i wanted thanks

[jay.sharkbait]

I used varget and shot 69 and 77 grain matchkings. I used commercial .223 brass and full length sized.

I also ignored the internet drama queens..

[szairborne]

I reload for mine in 6.8 spc. Never had any problems. Just make sure you measure and trim your cases, they will stick if not correctly sized. Only other issue is OAL for putting rounds into mags.

Shayne

[h20hunter]

Agreed on varget...get a case gauge and check them.

[Hilltop123]

For autoloaders, full-length size everytime.............IMHO

[Hilltop123]

You have an AR, but not a autoloader (semi-auto)?

[jay.sharkbait]

I would avoid any brass that has been fired in a beltfed machine gun FYI. You can re-size using a small base sizing die, but it's a pain and removing the crimp isn't fun either.

I always full length sized for the auto loaders. Neck sizing the  just wasn't as reliable for me.

[stevemiller]

Ok thanks for the heads up. 

[6.8mmARHunter]

I reload for mine in 6.8 spc. Never had any problems. Just make sure you measure and trim your cases, they will stick if not correctly sized. Only other issue is OAL for putting rounds into mags.

Shayne

+1 

A couple of addition things to consider:

1. Some use a bullet with a cannular and crimp the bullet (to avoid setback).
2. Some also use small base dies (resizes MORE to facilitate smoother autoloading).

I'm not sure if you wouldn't be wasting your time. Some swear by it, some say it's a waste of time.


sam

[Heredoggydoggy]

The main thing I've found with .223 cases is to trim them constantly.  I've never seen cases "grow" as much as .223/5.56 cases do.  I've gotten into the habit of trimming all my cases, because some are mine, and some I've picked up.  Some guys get a special Swager to remove the primer pocket crimp in some cases.  Me, I just use a countersink bit in my cordless drill to remove the crimp.  A quick buzz and it's done.  I used to think I was being an animal doing this, but I looked at some of the Black Hills reloads, and some of them are chamfered so deeply I don't know how the primer stays in!  I've always full-length resized my AR brass.  .223 cases are so plentiful that it doesn't really matter to me if the case life is shorter.  I always find more than I lose anyway.  I use Ramshot Xterminator for bullets up to 55 grain, and Tac for heavier bullets.  That IMR 8208 XBR might be good too, but I've not tried it in my .223s.  In my 20 LBC and 6mmX6.8 SPC it's great!  I've got to get on the IMR (Hodgedon) site and get the latest load data for it.  There's more now than there was when it was newly reintroduced.  When I started reloading for my .17 Fireball, all the data said that IMR 4198 was the powder that gave the best accuracy in that round, and after trying several powders, I found that they were right!

[jay.sharkbait]

ALLRIGHT STOP!

NOBODY MOVE!.........What is 6mmx6.8?  Who? and are reamers available?

The main thing I've found with .223 cases is to trim them constantly.  I've never seen cases "grow" as much as .223/5.56 cases do.  I've gotten into the habit of trimming all my cases, because some are mine, and some I've picked up.  Some guys get a special Swager to remove the primer pocket crimp in some cases.  Me, I just use a countersink bit in my cordless drill to remove the crimp.  A quick buzz and it's done.  I used to think I was being an animal doing this, but I looked at some of the Black Hills reloads, and some of them are chamfered so deeply I don't know how the primer stays in!  I've always full-length resized my AR brass.  .223 cases are so plentiful that it doesn't really matter to me if the case life is shorter.  I always find more than I lose anyway.  I use Ramshot Xterminator for bullets up to 55 grain, and Tac for heavier bullets.  That IMR 8208 XBR might be good too, but I've not tried it in my .223s.  In my 20 LBC and 6mmX6.8 SPC it's great!  I've got to get on the IMR (Hodgedon) site and get the latest load data for it.  There's more now than there was when it was newly reintroduced.  When I started reloading for my .17 Fireball, all the data said that IMR 4198 was the powder that gave the best accuracy in that round, and after trying several powders, I found that they were right!

[Heredoggydoggy]

ALLRIGHT STOP!

NOBODY MOVE!.........What is 6mmx6.8?  Who? and are reamers available?

The main thing I've found with .223 cases is to trim them constantly.  I've never seen cases "grow" as much as .223/5.56 cases do.  I've gotten into the habit of trimming all my cases, because some are mine, and some I've picked up.  Some guys get a special Swager to remove the primer pocket crimp in some cases.  Me, I just use a countersink bit in my cordless drill to remove the crimp.  A quick buzz and it's done.  I used to think I was being an animal doing this, but I looked at some of the Black Hills reloads, and some of them are chamfered so deeply I don't know how the primer stays in!  I've always full-length resized my AR brass.  .223 cases are so plentiful that it doesn't really matter to me if the case life is shorter.  I always find more than I lose anyway.  I use Ramshot Xterminator for bullets up to 55 grain, and Tac for heavier bullets.  That IMR 8208 XBR might be good too, but I've not tried it in my .223s.  In my 20 LBC and 6mmX6.8 SPC it's great!  I've got to get on the IMR (Hodgedon) site and get the latest load data for it.  There's more now than there was when it was newly reintroduced.  When I started reloading for my .17 Fireball, all the data said that IMR 4198 was the powder that gave the best accuracy in that round, and after trying several powders, I found that they were right!

It's a fairly new wildcat cartridge--a 6.8 SPC case (.270) necked down to 6mm. (.243)  I got the barrel from Black Hole in Moses Lake and after 8 months I sent them a nasty email, and a week later I got it.  Ammo is available commercially, but it's over a buck a round, so I made my own.  I had a 6.8 SPC anyway, so brass wasn't a problem.  IT'S A SCREAMER! 

[crazysccrmd]

There's the 6x6.8 spc by Black hole, the 6DTI by DTI, the 6WOA by White Oak, maybe some others too. All variations of the 6.8mm case necked down to 6mm. You can also do a 6x45 which is a necked up 5.56. I'm sure there's more out there too.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Yup, It's a fun round.  So far I've only shot the 58 grain Hornadys, but at 300 yards I was getting a 4 to 5 inch group.  Not bad for a shaky old man, and a dead coyote for sure...

[jay.sharkbait]

Thanks everyone

Any numbers on 105-107 vld's?