Automated Bulk .223 Loading on the Mark 7 Apex 10

Bulk processing over 40,000 .223 cases from Mojo Precision on the Mark 7 Apex 10 was just the start of the process. We decapped using FW Arms dies and Berdan Sentry, resized with the Lyman carbide pro die, and trimmed with the Mark 7 Power Trim Xpress. We decided to run a dedicated priming session using the Mark 7 Primer Xpress, before loading all the ammunition at once. Watch the video and read on to see how we finished out the project!

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

Project Recap

With so many cases running through, we decided early on to tackle the project in three separate phases: processing, priming, and loading. This mimics the sequence of high-volume commercial loading.

For processing, we had a case feeder in station one, FW Arms decapper with Berdan Sentry in station two, FW Arms dynamic hold down die for swaging in station three, and primer block in station four.

Station five held the full-length Lyman pro resizing die; station six held the Power Trim Xpress.

Before adding the Primer Xpress, we upgraded our Mark 7 Apex 10 to the Gen 2 priming system and aluminum toolhead.

The Xpress greatly expedited the priming process as we did not have to stop the machine to refill primer tubes—we just had to load them in the back.

Loading Phase

We set up the Apex 10 a bit differently for the final phase.

Station one held the case feed.

We left stations two through four empty, adding a primer orientation sensor to station five along with the primer block. (Look for our dedicated sensor videos!)

Station six held the powder drop filled with CFE .223.

I paired Berry’s 62 grain FMJ bullets with CCI primers and 26.5 grains of CFE .223.

Kyle decided to copy Guy Miner’s M855 practice load, verifying charge weights with an A&D EJ-54D2 precision reloading scale.

The Apex 10 electronic PowderCheck sensor ensured every primed case received powder, though we also did a visual inspection.

Finally came seating the bullet. Station seven held Mr. Bullet Feeder. Kyle had to do a bit of research as the press return would become stuck, not allowing the bullet feeder die to come down.

Bullets filling up the bullet feed tube.

The solution was to take a lock ring with a crossbolt through it and attach one end of a small spring to the crossbolt and the other to the die with a clip.

This solved all of our bullet feeding issues. (Keep in mind, we are still using mixed-headstamp brass!)

A Lyman pro die seated bullets to the cannelure in station eight, while the BulletSense ensured all was in order. (As Kyle set up the machine, he verified the cartridge’s overall length was under 2.260”.)

The very last station held the Lyman Pro Taper Crimp Micrometer.

When we had the machine configured how we wanted it, we started our bulk loading at 1,000 rounds per hour.

We also took some dwell time considerations from the priming phase into account that will help keep powder charges consistent.

Observing no issues at 1,000 rounds per hour, we sped the machine up to 2,000 rounds per hour.

Conclusion

The versatility of the Mark 7 Apex 10 is what made it a perfect choice for this significant project.

Though we had to do a little bit of research to resolve a bullet feeding issue, the machine ran flawlessly at 2,000 rounds per hour once we had everything set. Mark 7 sensors ran quality control checks across the process, ensuring a safe and complete finished product.