First Rifle Reloads

[LawVol]

I helped my Dad reload growing up and have been reloading pistol myself for about 5 years, but I've just started dipping my toes into rifle reloading.  I'm starting with .223, mainly loading hoser ammo for 3-gun.  I had a chance to sneak out yesterday to test some initial loads, and I think I found a suitable one.  This is Hornady 55gr FMJ, 24.5gr H335, CCI BR-4 primer, PMC brass (range pickups within spec but not trimmed), 2.230 COAL.  My chrono's battery was dead, so that data will have to wait.  

Anyways, I was pretty pumped to get under an inch at 100 yards with what was intended to be blaster ammo out of a chromed lined barrel (Daniel Defense M4v5).  

I do have one question.  I did not crimp, and neck tension seemed fine.  However, in scrounging brass at the range I occasionally find rounds on the ground whose bullets were pushed inside the case.  I definitely want to avoid that.  I have a Lee FCD, but am hesitant to mess with the load.  What do you think, should I lightly crimp or leave it be?

[superduty]

Are the ones you find with the bullets pushed back into the case yours, or someone else's?

Crimping is a process used primarily to prevent that from happening.  

Opinions vary as to whether crimping is helpful or not.  I do it- its not hard, and does not negatively affect my loads.

Those HDY 55gr FMJ bullets have a cannelure to use for crimping.  You won't 'mess up' your load by making a light crimp with the Lee FCD-  just a light crimp is all you need though.

Just a side note, I will only use my own brass for my handloads.  I know I'm a bit picky about that, and others use range pick-up brass with no problem, but I want to know exactly how many time my brass has been fired, and each batch of my loads is color coded with a sharpie and separated by headstamp. I like to be in control of as many variables as I can. Especially when it comes to explosives next to my face.

I don't want to grab a pocketful of brass from the range not knowing that the person who left it there had already loaded it a dozen times and then left it as trash.

[Jamie Jackson]

H 335 is my favorite powder for 55gr 5.56 loads. I believe I have chrono data for that very load...if I can find it...I need to be a better bookkeeper!

I've found it to be a very accurate handload, using range pickup brass as well, out of my 22 year old Bushmaster.

I do inspect, sort, and trim & prep my brass...anything funky gets toss into the brass scarp bucket. So far so good.