new to reloading.

Stanger1 · March 27, 2011, 07:42 PM

I am new to the forum and to reloading. Just trying to get some recommendations on loads for .223, 308 and .45 loads.

What powder and primers are "best" for those rounds. The 308's are going to be shot through an AR with a sound suppressor.

The brass for the .223 and 308 are Lake City. I am not sure of the .45 it is stamped F C 07. I dont know if that will effect the Primers.

Thank you for any help. Much is needed.

Waldog · March 27, 2011, 08:03 PM

Varget is a good choice for your 223 and 308. Recommend Winchester 231/HP-38 for your 45. Both use large primers; large pistol and large rifle primers.

Your Lake City brass is excellent. HOWEVER, military brass has a couple of things you need to be aware of. They have crimped in primers. Primers have to be removed and then the crimp has to be removed. You can't use it until the primer pockets have been fixed. Next military brass is thicker than standard brass and you usually can't load it to "Maximum" loads listed in reloading manuals as the pressure climbs rapidly. And, finally, 99% of LC 308 brass has fired in a machine gun. This REALLY stretches the case which limits it's useful life. You can resize and get it back to useable dimensions but, since it was previously stretched you have to been keenly aware of pending case failures and KNOW what to look for.

Jim243 · March 27, 2011, 08:15 PM

Welcome to the forum and to reloading. When you ask for the "best" that is a very subjective question, what I may think as best, someone else may think of as not the best. Each rifle, pistol and revolver is different so you will have to decide which is best, all we can do is give you "good" sugestions.

I use basicly Hodgdon and Winchester powders H-335, H-4895, IMR-8208 XBR will work well for 223 and 308. For the 45 ACP (Auto) you will need to use pistol powder instead of rifle powder, My favorite is Winchester 231, I use it for 9mm, 38 spl, 40 S&W and 45 ACP.

As to primers, I have had good luck with Winchester primers in SR, LR, SP and LP. I also use CCI primers for Small Pistol and Small Pistol Mag.

For a suppresed 308 AR, sorry can not help you, never wanted to apply for a Class III permit or pay the Fee and go with the restrictions. Not even sure they are legal in my State.

And finally most 45 ACP will use Large Pistol primers, some overseas cases will use Small Pistol primers but they are few and far between (Large Pistol primers of any brand will work).

Jim

stu925 · March 27, 2011, 08:25 PM

I've had good luck with Red Dot and Unique in .45ACP although I prefer Red Dot since it seems a bit cleaner to me. I like Unique in my .45 Colt loads though. I'm currently working up .223 loads with H335 for my Mini-14 but don't know how they'll shoot yet. I almost always opt for CCI primers since they seem to be the most readily available locally. I'm going to test out the .223 ammo tomorrow so if they work out I'll post a recommendation for H335.

Stu

Lost Sheep · March 27, 2011, 09:27 PM

Welcome to the forum and to reloading. Thanks for asking our advice.

Our advice will be much more valuable to you if we know what sort of shooting you are doing and what reference materials you already have.

What loading manuals do you already have?

Are you interested in long range high accuracy shooting? Any kind of formal competition? Informal plinking? Home defense? Varmint control?

What kind of bullets are you interested in shooting out of each firearm? For example, will you be doing lots of practice with the .45 ACP (or is it 45 Colt?) and what will your "for real" bullets be?

The twist rate of your long guns would be useful, too, as that will determine the range of velocities over which any given weight bullet will be stabilized.

There are a lot of variables, please don't leave us shooting in the dark, so to speak.

Don't get me wrong. We LOVE to give advice. How on-target the advice is, however, depends on our knowledge of your needs.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

R.Ph. 380 · March 27, 2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Varget is a good choice for your 223 and 308. Recommend Winchester 231/HP-38 for your 45. Both use large primers; large pistol and large rifle primers.

Your Lake City brass is excellent. HOWEVER, military brass has a couple of things you need to be aware of. They have crimped in primers. Primers have to be removed and then the crimp has to be removed. You can't use it until the primer pockets have been fixed. Next military brass is thicker than standard brass and you usually can't load it to "Maximum" loads listed in reloading manuals as the pressure climbs rapidly. And, finally, 99% of LC 308 brass has fired in a machine gun. This REALLY stretches the case which limits it's useful life. You can resize and get it back to useable dimensions but, since it was previously stretched you have to been keenly aware of pending case failures and KNOW what to look for.

Waldog forgot to say that the LC brass is about 10% smaller in capacity (at least in the 308) than civilian brass. unless it is stated to be LC Match, which is the same capacity. You will have to work your rounds up keeping in mind the capacity difference. Start at least 10% lower than a medium loading and work up keeping a close eye out for high pressure signs.

Tikka Lover · March 29, 2011, 10:25 PM

I would also recommend the Varget, very stable with temp changes and consistent fps over the chrono.

testuser · March 30, 2011, 05:28 AM

I've also had good luck with Reloader 15 with .308 using data from my Speer that was developed using the thicker military brass.

A lot of people use Bullseye for target loads in the .45 ACP. It's an economical choice, just be careful not to double charge. I'm also a fan of Power Pistol due to it's versatillity in the 9mm, .40 S&W and .38 Super.

March 27, 2011, 07:42 PM	#1
Stanger1 Junior Member Join Date: March 27, 2011 Posts: 1	new to reloading. I am new to the forum and to reloading. Just trying to get some recommendations on loads for .223, 308 and .45 loads. What powder and primers are "best" for those rounds. The 308's are going to be shot through an AR with a sound suppressor. The brass for the .223 and 308 are Lake City. I am not sure of the .45 it is stamped F C 07. I dont know if that will effect the Primers. Thank you for any help. Much is needed.

March 27, 2011, 08:03 PM	#2
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	Varget is a good choice for your 223 and 308. Recommend Winchester 231/HP-38 for your 45. Both use large primers; large pistol and large rifle primers. Your Lake City brass is excellent. HOWEVER, military brass has a couple of things you need to be aware of. They have crimped in primers. Primers have to be removed and then the crimp has to be removed. You can't use it until the primer pockets have been fixed. Next military brass is thicker than standard brass and you usually can't load it to "Maximum" loads listed in reloading manuals as the pressure climbs rapidly. And, finally, 99% of LC 308 brass has fired in a machine gun. This REALLY stretches the case which limits it's useful life. You can resize and get it back to useable dimensions but, since it was previously stretched you have to been keenly aware of pending case failures and KNOW what to look for. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

March 27, 2011, 08:15 PM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Welcome to the forum and to reloading. When you ask for the "best" that is a very subjective question, what I may think as best, someone else may think of as not the best. Each rifle, pistol and revolver is different so you will have to decide which is best, all we can do is give you "good" sugestions. I use basicly Hodgdon and Winchester powders H-335, H-4895, IMR-8208 XBR will work well for 223 and 308. For the 45 ACP (Auto) you will need to use pistol powder instead of rifle powder, My favorite is Winchester 231, I use it for 9mm, 38 spl, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. As to primers, I have had good luck with Winchester primers in SR, LR, SP and LP. I also use CCI primers for Small Pistol and Small Pistol Mag. For a suppresed 308 AR, sorry can not help you, never wanted to apply for a Class III permit or pay the Fee and go with the restrictions. Not even sure they are legal in my State. And finally most 45 ACP will use Large Pistol primers, some overseas cases will use Small Pistol primers but they are few and far between (Large Pistol primers of any brand will work). Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

March 27, 2011, 09:27 PM	#5
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	Tell us about yourself Welcome to the forum and to reloading. Thanks for asking our advice. Our advice will be much more valuable to you if we know what sort of shooting you are doing and what reference materials you already have. What loading manuals do you already have? Are you interested in long range high accuracy shooting? Any kind of formal competition? Informal plinking? Home defense? Varmint control? What kind of bullets are you interested in shooting out of each firearm? For example, will you be doing lots of practice with the .45 ACP (or is it 45 Colt?) and what will your "for real" bullets be? The twist rate of your long guns would be useful, too, as that will determine the range of velocities over which any given weight bullet will be stabilized. There are a lot of variables, please don't leave us shooting in the dark, so to speak. Don't get me wrong. We LOVE to give advice. How on-target the advice is, however, depends on our knowledge of your needs. Good luck. Lost Sheep

March 27, 2011, 08:25 PM	#4
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	I've had good luck with Red Dot and Unique in .45ACP although I prefer Red Dot since it seems a bit cleaner to me. I like Unique in my .45 Colt loads though. I'm currently working up .223 loads with H335 for my Mini-14 but don't know how they'll shoot yet. I almost always opt for CCI primers since they seem to be the most readily available locally. I'm going to test out the .223 ammo tomorrow so if they work out I'll post a recommendation for H335. Stu

March 29, 2011, 10:25 PM	#7
Tikka Lover Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 10	I would also recommend the Varget, very stable with temp changes and consistent fps over the chrono.

March 30, 2011, 05:28 AM	#8
testuser Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 495	I've also had good luck with Reloader 15 with .308 using data from my Speer that was developed using the thicker military brass. A lot of people use Bullseye for target loads in the .45 ACP. It's an economical choice, just be careful not to double charge. I'm also a fan of Power Pistol due to it's versatillity in the 9mm, .40 S&W and .38 Super.