223/556 head stamp lower than low step on gauge

[glaizinman]

I just bought some already processed 223/556 brass polished & sized & swaged & trimmed.1 of my questions is using a Lyman case gauge the head stamp on some of the brassis lower than the lowest step is that ok? Question 2 the grass ranges from 1.738 to 1.763 is that ok? I always trimmed my own brass seen this brass online thought I would try it. I know some of my brass would be 1.738 but I always trimmed my brass to 1.750 and left the short short. So loading brass from 1.738 to 1.763 to far apart should I trim to 1.750 so the range length is closer ?

 

[hdwhit]

The trim length for .223 Remington brass is 1.750.

You can use brass trimmed shorter but watch for adequate neck tension and don't try to crimp the neck into the bullet.

The maximum length for .223 Remington brass is 1.760. Brass is longer than that needs to be trimmed. The fact you have brass that is longer than maximum means the seller either didn't check the brass - or didn't do a quality job doing so. In either case, if the seller is sending you over-length brass when it was supposed to have already been trimmed, you need to consider that the brass may need to be inspected to ensure that case head separation is not imminent.

If I had ordered brass that was supposed to be polished, sized, swaged and trimmed and I was sent brass that ranged from 1.738 to 1.763 (the upper number proving that the brass was obviously not trimmed), I would be calling the seller to discuss a refund.

 

[glaizinman]

The trim length for .223 Remington brass is 1.750.

You can use brass trimmed shorter but watch for adequate neck tension and don't try to crimp the neck into the bullet.

The maximum length for .223 Remington brass is 1.760. Brass is longer than that needs to be trimmed. The fact you have brass that is longer than maximum means the seller either didn't check the brass - or didn't do a quality job doing so. In either case, if the seller is sending you over-length brass when it was supposed to have already been trimmed, you need to consider that the brass may need to be inspected to ensure that case head separation is not imminent.

If I had ordered brass that was supposed to be polished, sized, swaged and trimmed and I was sent brass that ranged from 1.738 to 1.763 (the upper number proving that the brass was obviously not trimmed), I would be calling the seller to discuss a refund.

I was thinking the same way. I just need to hear what you guys think about the brass before I called.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, if some of the brass you bought is 1.763" you did not get what you paid for. In addition it calls into question their overall quality control. I would not trust the work they already did, if they did any work.

 

[Walkalong]

the head stamp on some of the brass is lower than the lowest step is that ok?

It depends on how much lower. Lower isn't good, but could be OK. It will cause more stretching near the case head.

Depending on your actual chamber, 1.763 may be fine (Likely will, but might not be), but I would trim everything down to 1.750.

1.738 is OK, certainly not optimal, but OK. Won't hurt a thing.

As others have mentioned, not a batch of brass that gives you the warm fuzzies. Probably serviceable though. Only you can decide how to handle it.

 

[glaizinman]

It depends on how much lower. Lower isn't good, but could be OK. It will cause more stretching near the case head.

Depending on your actual chamber, 1.763 may be fine (Likely will, but might not be), but I would trim everything down to 1.750.

1.738 is OK, certainly not optimal, but OK. Won't hurt a thing.

As others have mentioned, not a batch of brass that gives you the warm fuzzies. Probably serviceable though. Only you can decide how to handle it.

I was thinking of trimming all to 1.750. But heres the thing I put around 30 to 35 cases through the gauge all dropped in nice should I test them all? Or just trim and hope they where all sized? Would hate to load these and find out that some won't chamber because they where not sized. I will probably check all with the gauge and not buy from them again. I have Always used range brass that I processed

 

[Walkalong]

I put around 30 to 35 cases through the gauge all dropped in nice should I test them all? Or just trim and hope they where all sized?

Kind of like Dirty Harry said, do you feel lucky?

That said, since all 30/35 were ok as far as that goes, you're likely good to go after trimming. Likely.

 

[Reloadron]

With a suggested "Trim To" length of 1.750" the actual specification for .223 Remington is 1.760" -0.030" or 1.730" to 1.760'. Brass within that range should chamber and function in a chamber within .223 Remington specifications. I have had very good quality brass bought from Brass Bombers:

Once Fired Brass
Military 5.56 Brass, boxer primed, crimped pockets. Headstamp options include: 100% LC, WCC, TAA, FC or LC Stained
As-Is: This brass is in the same condition as when we received it. No cleaning, polishing or other processing has been done.
Cleaned Only: This brass is cleaned and polished only. No processing has been done.
Cleaned, Deprimed & Swaged: This brass is cleaned and polished, deprimed and swaged (crimp removal). No other processing has been done.
*We do not reload ammunition. We do not sell primers, reloading powder or bullets. There are no live rounds. We sell reloading brass only*

Haven't seen any where the offered trimmed. I generally resize and then trim all my brass and use the suggested trim to length of 1.750". Any shorter cases obviously do not have any metal removed. The idea behind trimming all my brass is that I want the cases as uniform as possible. That said anywhere between 1.730" and 1.760" is within acceptable limits assuming a chamber within limits. If the seller advertised "trimmed" you may want to make sure you were not happy with the brass you bought.

Ron

 

[243winxb]

using a Lyman case gauge the head stamp on some of the brassis lower than the lowest step is that ok?

I found that .014" shoulder set back was to much , causing separations in the case body.
This shinny ring could be seen where it will separate.

More https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/broken-223-brass.778026/

 

[Rule3]

Who sells brass that is sized and trimmed??

Processed brass is cleaned and crimps removed.

Use your gauge a headspace gauge. Why use a gauge to check length?, just use your calipers??

If it has the little step on one end then you shoulder is not sized correctly.

 

[glaizinman]

lol found it on a site my wife goes on Etsy
HNSreloadingsupplies
Favorite shop

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[glaizinman]

Who sells brass that is sized and trimmed??

Processed brass is cleaned and crimps removed.

Use your gauge a headspace gauge. Why use a gauge to check length?, just use your calipers??

If it has the little step on one end then you shoulder is not sized correctly.

I was using the gauge to see if the brass was sized. Now I go to trim and my pilot takes a lot of force on some cases I never had this problem before. I haven't changed trimming heads using a rcbs trim pro 3 way cutter. What is up? Did I get terrible brass?

 

[Walkalong]

Who sells brass that is sized and trimmed??

At least a couple of places.

https://atlantaarms.com/products/223-5-56-fully-processed-brass-1000-pieces.html

http://www.evergladesammo.com/556-processed-military-brass-500-pieces.html

http://txbrassworks.com/shop/lake-city-223-brass/

http://tacticalbrass.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=11

http://www.apex-brass.com/brass-processing/

 

[Rule3]

I was using the gauge to see if the brass was sized. Now I go to trim and my pilot takes a lot of force on some cases I never had this problem before. I haven't changed trimming heads using a rcbs trim pro 3 way cutter. What is up? Did I get terrible brass?

Some times the pilot is a tad to big for some kinds of brass, I have hear of those that trim the brass before sizing of sand down the pilot a little.

I have the same trimmer and just slam it in the brass. Some are tight, others are not.

 

[Blue68f100]

I found that .014" shoulder set back was to much , causing separations in the case body.
This shinny ring could be seen where it will separate.

More https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/broken-223-brass.778026/

That looks like a mark from using a trimmer the position itself off of the shoulder, WFT, Trim-It. Too bright and shiny for case head seperation.

 

[Rule3]

At least a couple of places.

https://atlantaarms.com/products/223-5-56-fully-processed-brass-1000-pieces.html

http://www.evergladesammo.com/556-processed-military-brass-500-pieces.html

http://txbrassworks.com/shop/lake-city-223-brass/

http://tacticalbrass.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=11

http://www.apex-brass.com/brass-processing/

Thanks, was not aware they did all that

Pay the man to do the work, I like it!

 

[243winxb]

That looks like a mark from using a trimmer the position itself off of the shoulder, WFT, Trim-It. Too bright and shiny for case head seperation.

No. And its not from a Lee chamfer deburr tool either. It a separation forming and will come apart on the next sizing or firing. Had to many of them because of a Dillon shell plate and not using a gage to check shoulder set back. .014"

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks, was not aware they did all that

Pay the man to do the work, I like it!

Me too, I was not aware you could buy the stuff trimmed. I will likely just continue to trim my own but nice to know some sellers trim.

Thanks
Ron

 

[glaizinman]

upOTE="glaizinman, post: 10537016, member: 240577"] lol found it on a site my wife goes on Etsy
HNSreloadingsupplies
Favorite shop

• 

[/QUOTE]
Update HNSreloadingsupplies Nate made my brass problem right. I contacted him through E mail he responded very quickly. I will be ordering from them again

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent!

 

[RussellC]

That looks like a mark from using a trimmer the position itself off of the shoulder, WFT, Trim-It. Too bright and shiny for case head seperation.

Exactly what I thought...

Russellc