Im new to reloadig metalic cartriges and when i shake the cartridge i can hear the powder slosh around inside. Is this ok?

It's normal ,some powders will fill the case and others won'tit depends on what you use and how much . Just follow your loading manual recipes and work up slow on your loads .

thanks for the info greatly appre. Im using Hodgens Varget and Hornady 50gr. V max bullets

Some powders, like Win. 748, will fill or almost fill the case.

IMR 4320 and some of the other powders I use will start showing pressure signs long before the load is compressed.

blake,
have you shot any of the loads with the v max bullets, if so how did they shoot and what powder charge did you use, were they consistant, I am starting to reload 223 and I am thinking about going with the v max.

All of my 45, 50 and 55 grain bullet loads for the .223 use IMR 3031.One of myanti-coyote loadsuses 25 grains of IMR 3031, an LCcase,CCI 400 primer and the 55 grain Remington PSP bullet. That load makes .5" three shot groups when fired from my CZ 527 American or my Sako. This is a compressed load.

I use the 50 gr Vmax and Ballistic tip, they both shoot to the same point of impact and are just as tight with the groups.