How to Use the Lee Loadmaster ~ A great .223/5.56 progressive press!

Published on May 8, 2018
Duration: 32:05

This guide details the process of reloading .223 Remington cartridges using the Lee Loadmaster progressive press. It covers essential case preparation steps including sorting, decapping, swaging military crimps, checking case length, and trimming. The guide also explains proper lubrication, powder charging, bullet seating, and applying a factory crimp, emphasizing accuracy and safety throughout the reloading process.

Quick Summary

Reloading .223 Remington with the Lee Loadmaster involves preparing cases by decapping and swaging military crimps, checking and trimming case length to 1.750 inches, and lubricating them. The process continues on the press with priming, powder charging, bullet seating to 2.260 inches OAL, and applying a factory crimp for secure bullet retention.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Reloading .223 Remington
  2. 01:33Essential Case Preparation Steps
  3. 01:44Sorting and Identifying Military Brass
  4. 01:53Decapping Military Crimped Primers
  5. 03:20Swaging Primer Pockets
  6. 05:51Using a Primer Pocket Go/No-Go Gauge
  7. 06:50Checking Case Length with Snap Gauge
  8. 08:11Trimming Overlength Cases
  9. 13:14Chamfering and Deburring Case Mouths
  10. 16:04Case Lubrication for Resizing
  11. 20:10Powder Charging with Auto Drum Measure
  12. 23:18Operating the Lee Loadmaster Press
  13. 25:11Bullet Seating and Overall Length
  14. 27:40Applying the Factory Crimp
  15. 30:44Loading a Few Cartridges
  16. 31:52Conclusion and Subscribe

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key steps for preparing military brass for reloading .223 Remington?

Military brass for .223 Remington requires decapping to remove crimped primers using a universal decapping die. Following this, the primer pocket must be swaged to remove the crimp, ensuring it can properly accept a new primer. A primer pocket go/no-go gauge is recommended to verify tightness.

How do you ensure correct case length when reloading .223 Remington?

Case length for .223 Remington should be checked with a snap gauge or calipers. The maximum length is 1.760 inches, and the trim-to length is 1.750 inches. Cases exceeding this length must be trimmed using a case trimmer.

What is the recommended lubricant for resizing .223 Remington cases?

Iosso Formulations PS 700 paste is recommended for lubricating .223 Remington cases before resizing. A small amount is sufficient to create a hazy appearance, preventing over-lubrication and ensuring smooth operation of the sizing die.

How does the Lee Factory Crimp Die work for .223 Remington?

The Lee Factory Crimp Die applies a crimp by embossing the case around the bullet. This method is effective for retaining bullets in semi-automatic firearms like the AR-15, even without a cannelure on the bullet itself.

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