My father in-law claims he can't find ammo for his over/under 12guage/223 savage as easily as he used to. He's worried he might lose sources for his ammo. I'd like to get him a little Lee Loader kit or the like for the .223 savage, and some misc supplies. I've been pleased with my Lee Loader kit in .308 win. Does this thing exist? and where can I find more data about this round? Thanks.
I believe you're mistaken on the caliber of your father in law's gun. although the savage combo guns were chambered in both 223 222 Remington, both of those rounds are rimless. if the the 22 barrel takes a rimmed 22 centerfire cartridge its probably chambered for the 22 hornet, which is also called the 5.6x35R in Europe. I believe Lee still makes the classic Lee loader for the 22 hornet. the Lee number I have for a 22 hornet Lee loader is#90265. the 22 hi power (5.6x52R)was also a rimmed 22 centerfire cartridge but I don't think savage made any combo guns in that caliber,though the 22 hi power was pretty popular in the lever action model 99 for a while. check a cartridge box or the head stamp of one of his fired cartridges to be sure of the caliber.
The Lee Loader uses standard dies. IF they do NOT have the correct set, you can buy the loader there and the dies elsewhere, and combine them. He will most likely have a harder problem finding new cases for an obsolete round. Might I suggest a single stage press instead, as the cost difference is minor.
.223 308 are both standard rounds. Check out some of the web links listed below for reloading kits. Midway can provide you with some of the reloading data that you may need. Hope this information helps.
I think you have the cartridge wrong, it's not the .223 Savage, it's the .223 Remington, Savage is the manufacturer of the rifle/shotgun, there is no such thing as a .223 Savage cartridge, it's Remington, the gun your father in law has must be a Savage model 24. now with that said, you can easily find lee classic loaders in .223 Remington, you just need to look.
