Just getting into reloading

KyleWoods35 · August 8, 2016, 08:00 AM

Hello,

I have recently gotten into handloading after finding out my dad had a Lee single stage press. I've had good luck with the Hornady 50 gr v-max superformance factory ammo this summer but wanted to get my feet wet with handloading. I'm using a Lee collet neck sizing die and Lee bullet seater. I just loaded 50 rounds and did some experimenting today at the range. I'm loading a .222 and used IMR 4198 and H322, 5 different grains of powder for each, giving me 10 different loads. Using 50 gr Sierra spitzers. My order of shooting was this:
Starting with 4198, 1 shot with 18.5 gr at corresponding target, 1 with 19 gr at corresponding target and so on, repeated 5 times, letting barrel cool between each 5 shot group.
Repeated the same exact way with 322
My question to you guys is, what load looks best to you? I thought 19.5 gr of 4198 and 22.5 gr of 322 looked best to me but just wanted your opinion. I plan on setting up targets at 200 and 300 yards with those two loads to see the bullet drop. I'm hunting groundhogs and 300 yards will probably be my farthest shot. I'm probably putting too much thought into this, especially because 8 of the 10 groups shot today are probably good enough for groundhogs.

Forgot to mention, the 19.5 gr of 4198 has 3 bullet in the bullseye, 2 went through the same hole (the right hole)

18.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...5&d=1470624837

19.0 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...6&d=1470624837

19.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...7&d=1470624837

20.0 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...8&d=1470624837

20.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...0&d=1470625364

20.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364

21.0 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364

21.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364

22.0 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625450

22.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625450

Reloadron · August 8, 2016, 10:18 AM

21.0 grains and up are coming up for me as tiny images?

Ron

FiveInADime · August 8, 2016, 10:53 AM

I can't view any of the images on my phone.

What I would do is take your most promising group and work up and down around it in .2gr increments. .5gr jumps are A LOT with such small powder charges.

I generally ignore good groups around starting loads and if I can't find anything promising on the upper-end I move to a different powder.

T. O'Heir · August 8, 2016, 12:32 PM

"...3 bullets in the bullseye..." Doesn't matter where the shot hits on the target. It's how far apart they are that matters. The 'bull' is just an aiming point when you're working up loads. Work with one powder at a time as well.
Better to use sighting in targets too. Those are the ones with the one inch squares. Isn't horribly critical though. Like this, but net search 'targets' and download em. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/821...get-pack-of-12
"...1 shot with..." At least 3 with the same load. One shot tells you nothing.
Then draw a circle around the holes and measure the diameter. The actual size doesn't matter.

KyleWoods35 · August 8, 2016, 12:41 PM

Hm I'm not sure why those are coming up small. When I said there was three in the bull I was just clarifying why there was only 4 holes in that target. That target is also one of my tightest groups. Also, I did shoot 5 shot groups at each load, I didn't shoot all 5 of the same load at the same time.

iagbarrb · August 10, 2016, 10:40 PM

Do not start reloading.
Hope its not too late.
You will not be able to stop.
My name is iagbarrb and I am a reloader.

On the other hand you will find out thete is no better ammo than your reloads.

Regarding your charges, you are on the correct path. I suggest you to chronograph your bullets, and find a muzzle velocity that fits the harmonics of your own barrel. There are no two barrels that react the same way.

Longshot4 · August 11, 2016, 04:32 PM

I'm assuming that you have a bolt action. The Rem. 222 is a great place to start. I have been shooting a Rem. 700 in 222 for many years and it's my favorite.

For a get to business load try the Hornady 50 grain SX or 50 grain A-Max.
For powder I use BLC-2. I have tried many other powders 4895 would be my second choice. For primers I have been using Rem. 7 1/2.

There are other choices out there. But after 45 Years this is where I am.
Work on small targets at 100 Yds. As mentioned earlier center to center of the bullet hole group size is what you want. You will need a aspirin size target at 100 Yds. to start. Put the cross hairs on the exact (center) of the target. When you get your grouping down to 1/2"< then work on your trajectory at different ranges.

You have a very accurate cartridge to work with. Take your time and you will learn a lot from the triple duce.

Keep in contact and we can help you out.

Good Luck

Longshot4 · August 11, 2016, 04:45 PM

Take a look at the thread on (53Gr. Hornady) to view the Hornady 50Gr. SPSX it is hard to beat for accuracy and Cost.

August 8, 2016, 08:00 AM	#1
KyleWoods35 Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2016 Posts: 12	Just getting into reloading Hello, I have recently gotten into handloading after finding out my dad had a Lee single stage press. I've had good luck with the Hornady 50 gr v-max superformance factory ammo this summer but wanted to get my feet wet with handloading. I'm using a Lee collet neck sizing die and Lee bullet seater. I just loaded 50 rounds and did some experimenting today at the range. I'm loading a .222 and used IMR 4198 and H322, 5 different grains of powder for each, giving me 10 different loads. Using 50 gr Sierra spitzers. My order of shooting was this: Starting with 4198, 1 shot with 18.5 gr at corresponding target, 1 with 19 gr at corresponding target and so on, repeated 5 times, letting barrel cool between each 5 shot group. Repeated the same exact way with 322 My question to you guys is, what load looks best to you? I thought 19.5 gr of 4198 and 22.5 gr of 322 looked best to me but just wanted your opinion. I plan on setting up targets at 200 and 300 yards with those two loads to see the bullet drop. I'm hunting groundhogs and 300 yards will probably be my farthest shot. I'm probably putting too much thought into this, especially because 8 of the 10 groups shot today are probably good enough for groundhogs. Forgot to mention, the 19.5 gr of 4198 has 3 bullet in the bullseye, 2 went through the same hole (the right hole) 18.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...5&d=1470624837 19.0 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...6&d=1470624837 19.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...7&d=1470624837 20.0 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...8&d=1470624837 20.5 gr 4198 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...0&d=1470625364 20.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364 21.0 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364 21.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625364 22.0 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625450 22.5 gr 322 http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...1&d=1470625450

August 8, 2016, 12:32 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...3 bullets in the bullseye..." Doesn't matter where the shot hits on the target. It's how far apart they are that matters. The 'bull' is just an aiming point when you're working up loads. Work with one powder at a time as well. Better to use sighting in targets too. Those are the ones with the one inch squares. Isn't horribly critical though. Like this, but net search 'targets' and download em. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/821...get-pack-of-12 "...1 shot with..." At least 3 with the same load. One shot tells you nothing. Then draw a circle around the holes and measure the diameter. The actual size doesn't matter. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 8, 2016, 10:18 AM	#2
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	21.0 grains and up are coming up for me as tiny images? Ron

August 8, 2016, 10:53 AM	#3
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 607	I can't view any of the images on my phone. What I would do is take your most promising group and work up and down around it in .2gr increments. .5gr jumps are A LOT with such small powder charges. I generally ignore good groups around starting loads and if I can't find anything promising on the upper-end I move to a different powder.

August 8, 2016, 12:41 PM	#5
KyleWoods35 Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2016 Posts: 12	Hm I'm not sure why those are coming up small. When I said there was three in the bull I was just clarifying why there was only 4 holes in that target. That target is also one of my tightest groups. Also, I did shoot 5 shot groups at each load, I didn't shoot all 5 of the same load at the same time.

August 10, 2016, 10:40 PM	#6
iagbarrb Member Join Date: May 31, 2015 Location: Bolivia Posts: 38	Do not start reloading. Hope its not too late. You will not be able to stop. My name is iagbarrb and I am a reloader. On the other hand you will find out thete is no better ammo than your reloads. Regarding your charges, you are on the correct path. I suggest you to chronograph your bullets, and find a muzzle velocity that fits the harmonics of your own barrel. There are no two barrels that react the same way.

August 11, 2016, 04:32 PM	#7
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I'm assuming that you have a bolt action. The Rem. 222 is a great place to start. I have been shooting a Rem. 700 in 222 for many years and it's my favorite. For a get to business load try the Hornady 50 grain SX or 50 grain A-Max. For powder I use BLC-2. I have tried many other powders 4895 would be my second choice. For primers I have been using Rem. 7 1/2. There are other choices out there. But after 45 Years this is where I am. Work on small targets at 100 Yds. As mentioned earlier center to center of the bullet hole group size is what you want. You will need a aspirin size target at 100 Yds. to start. Put the cross hairs on the exact (center) of the target. When you get your grouping down to 1/2"< then work on your trajectory at different ranges. You have a very accurate cartridge to work with. Take your time and you will learn a lot from the triple duce. Keep in contact and we can help you out. Good Luck

August 11, 2016, 04:45 PM	#8
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	Take a look at the thread on (53Gr. Hornady) to view the Hornady 50Gr. SPSX it is hard to beat for accuracy and Cost.