Okay, I'm almost there on being ready to try my hand at reloading. There are already enough threads on what powder, primers, and slugs to use, that I will probably just have to jump in and see what happens.
My questions are more on the specifics of which recipes to follow. Is there any difference in thickness or other specs between .223 and 5.56 headstamp brass? I don't want to overpressure a shell with a 5.56 recipe and run into trouble there. I would think that for plinking, I will tend toward .223 to use less powder, but knowing is never bad, especially when preventing overpressure.
In the other direction, is there any fundamental difference between the primer cup in a .223 and a 5.56 case, once the primer is removed, and the cup swaged? I am seeing standard, magnum, and military primers. Overall questions:
Finally, what is everyone's opinion on cannelure? Considering my previous experience with setback in other rounds, I think it sounds like a good idea. Is any additional equipment required to apply the crimp, or is this accomplished within the die?
Thanks,
Scott
My questions are more on the specifics of which recipes to follow. Is there any difference in thickness or other specs between .223 and 5.56 headstamp brass? I don't want to overpressure a shell with a 5.56 recipe and run into trouble there. I would think that for plinking, I will tend toward .223 to use less powder, but knowing is never bad, especially when preventing overpressure.
In the other direction, is there any fundamental difference between the primer cup in a .223 and a 5.56 case, once the primer is removed, and the cup swaged? I am seeing standard, magnum, and military primers. Overall questions:
Will one of these types of primers or another trap me into one caliber headstamp or another?
Will one of them require me to reapply a primer cup crimp to the finished round after loading?
Finally, what is everyone's opinion on cannelure? Considering my previous experience with setback in other rounds, I think it sounds like a good idea. Is any additional equipment required to apply the crimp, or is this accomplished within the die?
Thanks,
Scott