223 Brass

Joined
Aug 20, 2021
Messages
481
I'm going to start hand loading for my Tikka 223. Instead of using my pile of mixed mfr 223/556 brass that's mostly been shot from various ARs, I'd like to start fresh and hopefully eliminate variables from the get go.

I'm looking at ADI Outback and also Norma Golden Target to buy a few hundred rounds that will only be shot through the T3X.

Does either one of these have better brass than the other?

Any others I should consider over these?

I would prefer to avoid crimped primer pockets, but it's not a deal breaker.
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2023
Messages
55
Location
Alaska
I'm going to start hand loading for my Tikka 223. Instead of using my pile of mixed mfr 223/556 brass that's mostly been shot from various ARs, I'd like to start fresh and hopefully eliminate variables from the get go.

I'm looking at ADI Outback and also Norma Golden Target to buy a few hundred rounds that will only be shot through the T3X.

Does either one of these have better brass than the other?

Any others I should consider over these?

I would prefer to avoid crimped primer pockets, but it's not a deal breaker.
I researched this when doing the same as you and the decision I came to was starline .556 brass. It’s pretty decent for the price and can be found for around $30/100. So far I have been happy with it after a little brass prep and my results were plenty good enough for my purpose.
 

77TMK

FNG
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
73
Location
Tennessee
Just pick up or buy a lot of Lake City 5.56 NATO brass and there ya go. It's very consistent brass.

I just use a swage cutting tool in a corded drill and make a huge amount of brass pretty quickly. Use brasstools primer pocket gauge to adjust crimp removal and cull worn pockets.
 

wind gypsy

"DADDY"
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
10,012
I've only shot the norma golden target ammo in 6 and 6.5 creedmoor. The 6 creedmoor norma brass has too thick of necks to want to re-use. 6.5 seems better in that regard. Both shoot good enough for practice ammo.

I've been an advocate of using ADI for this purpose for quite a while.
 
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
Messages
1,679
I'm going to start hand loading for my Tikka 223. Instead of using my pile of mixed mfr 223/556 brass that's mostly been shot from various ARs, I'd like to start fresh and hopefully eliminate variables from the get go.

I'm looking at ADI Outback and also Norma Golden Target to buy a few hundred rounds that will only be shot through the T3X.

Does either one of these have better brass than the other?

Any others I should consider over these?

I would prefer to avoid crimped primer pockets, but it's not a deal breaker.
Lapua brass is top notch, if you can find it. I bought a box of 30-06, best brass I’ve ever used.
 

wind gypsy

"DADDY"
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
10,012
Lapua brass is top notch, if you can find it. I bought a box of 30-06, best brass I’ve ever used.

I've got some lapua 223 brass from when it was something like $56/100 but I don't think it has been available in a long time and its certainly less economical when you can buy loaded ammo for the same price. I dont know of many guys using 223 brass 20x times like they are with say 6 BR or 6.5x47 brass either so the draw is little less enticing.
 

Schmo

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Apr 29, 2023
Messages
1,193
Exactly! And I also don’t really grasp buying factory ammo to get brass. Brass is cheap. I don’t want to have to fire it all before I can load it
 
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
Messages
1,679
I've got some lapua 223 brass from when it was something like $56/100 but I don't think it has been available in a long time and its certainly less economical when you can buy loaded ammo for the same price. I dont know of many guys using 223 brass 20x times like they are with say 6 BR or 6.5x47 brass either so the draw is little less enticing.
To each his/her own. If I were going to build a tack driver, and could get Lapua… I would.
 

wind gypsy

"DADDY"
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
10,012
Exactly! And I also don’t really grasp buying factory ammo to get brass. Brass is cheap. I don’t want to have to fire it all before I can load it
A big driver of 223 to me is having that cheap factory ammo to shoot in the first place and spending time shooting rather than loading so "having to" fire it is the opposite of a burden.
 

Schmo

WKR
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Joined
Apr 29, 2023
Messages
1,193
I guess it’d make a difference what your range setup is. A 100 yard range is a 30 minute drive for me. A long range is about 1.5 hours one way. If I could shoot on my property, then it’d be a little different
 
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