Trimming .223

[Warpspasm]

I think I have all my stuff (except powder, bullets and primers which are on the way) to start loading .223 for my Mini-14. I have a bunch of brass from various factory rounds I've shot and have been de-priming and resizing them. I've measured some of the case lengths and they all seem to be over 1.60 after one resizing. I'm assuming I now need to trim all of them to 1.50. Is that correct?

 

[lx1x]

http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.html


you sure you measured correctly? it should be in the range of 1.75

 

[Warpspasm]

http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.html


you sure you measured correctly? it should be in the range of 1.75

DOH! I mean 1.760 and 1.750. The brass is resized measuring in the neighborhood of 1.762, so I guess I need to trim it to 1.750. Correct?

 

[lx1x]

DOH! I mean 1.760 and 1.750. The brass is resized measuring in the neighborhood of 1.762, so I guess I need to trim it to 1.750. Correct?

that is correct..

i thought at first you trimmed it way short..

 

[Warpspasm]

Since the neck on 5.56 is a bit longer than .223, and the neck is what gets trimmed, how does that affect the 5.56 round? A lot of my brass is 5.56.

 

[lx1x]

Since the neck on 5.56 is a bit longer than .223, and the neck is what gets trimmed, how does that affect the 5.56 round? A lot of my brass is 5.56.

not much.. at least from my experience... the barrels i have are all 556.. and been reloading for them using trimmed 1.75 brass.. some are 223 rem brass but mostly lc 556 brass..

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

You can use 5.56 Nato cases to reload to .223 specs. I use them in my 700 bolt action-my pet load for that rifle uses WCC cases. You will need to trim them. Most 5.56 Nato cases will need to have the primer pocket swaged to seat the primer flush.

One word of warning when using 5.56 Nato - is to make sure you start at or below min powder charging specs as they are thicker, have less powder capacity, and generally will yield higher pressures for that reason. I would also suggest you sort your headstamps, and work up a load for each one -dont use the same load in all brand cases.

You need to trim to 1.75" after you resize them. Dont forget to chamfer & debur after you trim.

 

[fa18hooker]

Since the neck on 5.56 is a bit longer than .223, and the neck is what gets trimmed, how does that affect the 5.56 round? A lot of my brass is 5.56.

Where does it say that 5.56mm necks are longer?

 

[jhalcott]

I don't THINK 5.56 is any longer than .223, BUT Spec's may differ. I have 5.56 brass that weighs from 81 grains to OVER 110 grains (Sako!) I always sort by weight after sizing and trimming. I pick up lots of brass that RICH guys leave on the floor when done shooting. They are always resighting for the new lot of surplus ammo they just bought! It is more rhan a good idea to sort your brass by weight. A good load in an 83 grain case willl be an overload in a 110 grain case

 

[John from MD]

Save yourself some work and invest in an RCBS X die. This die will keep the brass from being streched during sizing and is well worth the money.

I have a Gracey trimmer and still hate trimming cases. After initial trimming, I don't trim anymore. The neck will split somewhere around 7 to 10 reloadings but by then the primer pocket is loose anyway.

The X die works well with all of my AR 15's an Savage .223. I keep it adjusted to 1.755.

Warpspasm, the lead on a 5.56 chamber is longer than that of a .223. There is no difference in external case size.

Regards,

John

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

Most of the 5.56 Nato brass Ive picked up have been longer than spec but not by a whole lot-but I think alot of that is stretch.

Its a good idea to check and trim irregardless. I use an RCBS Trim pro (manual), once the trimmer is set up to cut to spec, its matter of just chucking the case in the trimmer, if it needs trimmed - it gets cut, if not it dosnt. Does not take much time at all.

 

[guthook]

Most of the 5.56 Nato brass Ive picked up have been longer than spec but not by a whole lot-but I think alot of that is stretch.

Its a good idea to check and trim irregardless. I use an RCBS Trim pro (manual), once the trimmer is set up to cut to spec, its matter of just chucking the case in the trimmer, if it needs trimmed - it gets cut, if not it dosnt. Does not take much time at all.

Started getting a bum shoulder after too much manual trimming (and reloading in general) so I got the RCBS power attachment for the Trim Pro. A bit slower, but my body thanks me.

 

[Warpspasm]

After loading pistol for a while, I gotta tell ya, loading rifle is kind of a PITA.

 

[John from MD]

guthook,

Only bottle neck rifle cartridges stretch alot, straight wall cases don't.

You could always buy a Marlin 336 in 45/70 and then your shoulder would hurt for a different reason.

John

 

[guthook]

guthook,

Only bottle neck rifle cartridges stretch alot, straight wall cases don't.

Not sure why you directed that to me.

You could always buy a Marlin 336 in 45/70 and then your shoulder would hurt for a different reason.

I have a Steyr M95 when I want to feel the hurt.

John

 

[John from MD]

Not sure why you directed that to me.

Just a joke, since you mentioned your shoulder hurting from cranking the trimmer.

Regards,

John

 

[guthook]

Not sure why you directed that to me.

Just a joke, since you mentioned your shoulder hurting from cranking the trimmer.

Regards,

John

Cool, flew way over my head.