Looking for the best 223 reloading kits? You came to the right place, in this post we go through the best 223 reloading equipment, the features, pros, and more.
The 223 Remington has over the years gained popularity to become one of the most popular cartridges for many semiautomatic and manual-action rifles and handguns. Rifles such as the Remington Model 700, Colt AR-15, Ruger Mini-14, and Remington XP-100 use this cartridge.
223 Cartridge Specifications
- Case type- Rimless, bottleneck
- Bullet diameter-0.224 in (5.7 mm)
- Neck diameter- 0.253 in (6.4 mm)
- Shoulder diameter- 0.354 in (9.0 mm)
- Base diameter- 0.376 in (9.6 mm)
- Rim diameter- 0.378 in (9.6 mm)
- Rim thickness- 0.045 in (1.1 mm)
- Case length- 1.76 in (45 mm)
- Overall length- 2.26 in (57 mm)
If you are a hunter, gun enthusiast, or outdoorsman, it is way cheaper to reload ammunition instead of continually buying rounds. This is where a reloading kit comes in.
A reloading kit not only saves money but is also a fun, rewarding, and hands-on hobby. It also gives you a deeper and more intimate understanding of how bullets and ammo operate.
Best 223 Reloading Kits-Our Top Picks
1) Lee Precision Load Master Reloading Kit for 223
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This Lee Load-Master Progressive press is designed to be the perfect addition to a 223 reloader’s toolbox. It is one of the best 223 reloading kits and reloads both rifles and handgun cartridges. It has a large 1-3/4” diameter ram with a stroke clearance that is big enough to handle even the largest magnum rifle cases. It has five stations that accept most of the popular reloading dies. It can be used either as an automatic indexing progressive press or as a single-stage press. Nevertheless, dies of these kits are held by a turret that is detachable which enables them to be removed and reinserted without the need to adjust. Features
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2) Hornady 3-in-1 Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant Reloading Press (095160)
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This is a Progressive press reloading kit that is made to pump out cartridges easily and quickly. It has five stations that have the patented Lock-N-Load bushing system making it more intuitive and better equipped for all your reloading needs. You get an easy-feed bullet hopper with this kit that can accommodate up to 200 pistol bullets. In addition, the kit has a center plate that is adjustable and bullet feed-wipers for smooth feeding. It loads over 500 rounds of ammunition that are of high quality per hour. As one of the best 223 reloading kits. it works great for both the .223 Remington and .45 ACP calibers. The kit includes:
Features
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3) LEE PRECISION Anniversary Challenger Kit II
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The Kit has a strong O-frame press with a larger-than-average opening that is angled at 30 degrees for maximum hand clearance. Compound leverage performs full-length sizing easily even on the largest magnum cases. There is a primer catcher that is built-in and easy to empty. Case preparation tools include a cutter and lock stud for trimming cases, a tube of premium sizing lube, and a primer pocket cleaner. You also get one Breech Lock Quick Change Bushing that makes changing dies a snap and finishes the task in a matter of seconds. You will never have to adjust the die again once mounted on the die unless you want to. It is time-saving, eliminates guesswork, and ensures consistency of the reloaded product. You save time that you could have used to fiddle and instead spend it cranking out rounds Features
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4) Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press
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This is one of the best 223 reloading kits and is best described as an automatic, user-friendly, five-station press with innovative technology. The kit is used to switch dies, measure powder, check the dies, seat bullets, and crimp dies. The kit is very unique in that you to do all these without changing the whole die head. The Lock-N-Load AP kit has a complete full-size lock-n-load powder measure for pistols and rifle cartridges. It also has a case-activated powder drop, extra lock-n-load bushings, and a cartridge catcher. With this kit, you are able to switch from 223 to 45 in less than 5 minutes. Includes
Features
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5) RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press
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The Rock Chucker reloading kit has a cast iron construction that is durable ensuring exceptional strength and versatility. It is easy to use for anyone as it has an ambidextrous o-frame design. Reloading with this press is more efficient because, with a 4.25-inch loading window, it accounts for today’s longer cartridges. With it, you will be on the fast track to becoming a pro. Features
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6) LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press(Red)
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This LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press (Red) is one of the best 223 reloading kits. It has a long stroke that enables rifle cases that are more than three inches long to be loaded using automatic indexing. The press also has a cast-iron frame that is rigid and very effective in supporting the ram as it has over 12 inches of area. Features
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7) RCBS Summit Single Stage Reloading Press
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This press is one of the best 223 reloading kits and is mostly used as a hunting reloading press. It is constructed with high-quality materials and also works quickly. It works on top of the bench offering top stability. It is easy to access the kit due to its ambidextrous design. Features
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8) Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kits
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The Lock-N-Load Classic is perfect for both beginners and those who want complete control of the entire process. It has a uniquely angled and solid frame that delivers dependability and precision and provides greater visibility and easier access to the cartridge. Lock-N-Load bushings enable you to switch from one die to another in a blink of an eye. They also provide the quickest and easiest die setup on the market. It also has Power-Pac Linkage and solid steel arms. The Power-Pac linkage design multiplies the leverage you apply to the handle making it easier to size cases and reducing the fatigue of the user. Nevertheless, it has a strong angled frame that provides rigidity and stability required for precision reloading and is guaranteed to never break or fail. Features
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Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Reloading 223 Reloading Kits
- Price
This is a very important factor to consider when looking for the best 223 reloading kits. It determines the kit that you go with. It is imperative as the most expensive reloading kits are usually the best ones. However, you might be looking for a low-cost reloading kit because you have a tight budget. If that is the case, go for a single-stage press. These presses are precise and economical even if they load one cartridge at a time.
The turret and progressive presses are mostly much more expensive than the single-stage reloading kits. This is due to the complexity that comes with such presses.
- Reloading speed
This will influence the 223 reloading kit that you should choose whether you are a casual shooter who needs to load in a small number of bullets for your monthly range trip or you are a high volume competition shooter who needs more than a thousand rounds a month to keep up in practice.
It is recommended that you go for a single-stage press reloading kit if you are a newbie. It should be able to handle what you need. A single-stage press allows those new to the art of reloading to learn how to focus on each step, ensuring that they get a better understanding of the reloading process leading to better production of the quality finished products. Nonetheless, they are quite effective.
On the other hand, a progressive press is best for professional reloaders or those who want to produce a high number of ammunition. You are capable of producing over a thousand rounds per hour with a progressive press reloading kit as long as you have enough experience and practice.
- Compatibility and versatility
All reloading kits are not universal bullet makers, so there will be calibers that just can’t be made. A highly compatible device is imperative as it saves you both money and space. For any reloading kit with low compatibility from the start, the manufacturer tends to provide a conversion that improves the usefulness of the equipment. Such conversion kits are capable of transforming a 22 caliber reloading kit to have the capability to take on 30 caliber bullets.
Conversion kits are cost-effective and also fall in the line with the rest of the optional accessories given by the manufacturer as well.
- Quality
The best 223 reloading kits are pretty costly. So, it is crucial to purchase one that will be able to stand the test of time. The repetitive mechanical nature of any reloading kit should be able to withstand errors caused by the user and bad materials being pushed through.
Ensure that you check the warranties keenly which come with the various 223 reloading kits and the overall customer reviews as well. This helps you to know more about the quality of your reloading kit.
Also, remember that the quality of ammunition also has to do with the instructions provided. The best kits are known to provide a digital or physical copy of their instructions book. Any user will produce better quality results with a well-thought-out and clear instruction book.
- Accessories
A reloading kit should have the needed accessories for the reloader to begin working as quickly as possible. You should ideally get all the accessories you need to start reloading right out of the box. These include case sizing lube, powder measure and funnel, bullet puller, and reloading manual among others.
- Quality of the accessories
It is a good thing to have plenty of accessories. That saves you time and effort in purchasing these parts and tools separately. However, it is not that helpful if these accessories are of low quality. These tools may considerably slow down the work with frequent mistakes and you may end up with substandard reloaded ammo.
These accessories should also last long so that you don’t have to keep replacing them.
FAQs
- Is hand loading safe?
Yes, it is. Today’s smokeless gun powders are far much different than the old black powders of the past times. Actually, modern smokeless powders are classified as propellants rather than explosives. This means that when these powders are correctly used, they burn when only ignited. So, while certain safety precautions and common sense aren’t ignored handloading is not risky by any chance. Always make sure that you put on safety glasses when handloading and shooting.
- How do I know the components to use with the different press available?
Every 223 reloading kit that you buy should have a manual. You will find the specific items that you will need for reloading in the manual. The manual also comes with a guide on safety measures that should be exercised when reloading. You can always find a manual online if by any chance you happen to misplace yours.
- How good is handloading your ammo?
Ammunition that has been carefully hand-loaded is normally better than factory-loaded ammunition. This is because hand-loaded ammunition can be fine-tuned to fit a specific gun and a certain type of shooting. This leads to improved accuracy.
Conclusion
Buying your rounds is well and good but can get costly in the long run. Reloading your 223 is the best way to go if you are an avid hunter or shooter. And the way to go is by getting any of the reloading kits for 223 illustrated above as they are simply the best.
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