223 headspace

[KYregular]

I was sizing some mixed headstamp brass for my nothing special run n gun plinking ammo today and notice that headspace measured from the datum varied from 1.460 to 1.464. Using Hornady headsdpace on the calipers, and Lyman gauge. Compared to some factory rounds at 1.462. Anyone else notice variations between different headstamps?

 

[Blue68f100]

Factory rounds are normally min spec if not lower to ensure they fit all chambers. Different degree of hardness due to work hardening will have different spring back.

What you want is 0.002-0.003" from what your chamber is to ensure reliable feeding. Once you get over 0.003" you start over working the brass and it will not last near as long.

I anneal all my brass so the spring back is consistently the same. This way I never have to readjust my sizing dies.

 

[KYregular]

Factory rounds are normally min spec if not lower to ensure they fit all chambers. Different degree of hardness due to work hardening will have different spring back.

What you want is 0.002-0.003" from what your chamber is to ensure reliable feeding. Once you get over 0.003" you start over working the brass and it will not last near as long.

I anneal all my brass so the spring back is consistently the same. This way I never have to readjust my sizing dies.

Thats what I normally do, but it seems different brass (headstamp) vary by a few thousandths.

 

[KYregular]

Factory rounds are normally min spec if not lower to ensure they fit all chambers. Different degree of hardness due to work hardening will have different spring back.

What you want is 0.002-0.003" from what your chamber is to ensure reliable feeding. Once you get over 0.003" you start over working the brass and it will not last near as long.

I anneal all my brass so the spring back is consistently the same. This way I never have to readjust my sizing dies.

Also, how often do you anneal?

 

[Blue68f100]

Annealing is part of my std brass prep, every cycle.

 

[Reloadron]

Anyone else notice variations between different headstamps?

Yes, not unusual but generally new factory .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO ammunition generally comes in as was mentioned right around the .223 Remington SAAMI cartridge specification of 1.460".

Factory rounds are normally min spec if not lower to ensure they fit all chambers. Different degree of hardness due to work hardening will have different spring back.

Once the brass is fired it is not at all unusual for the spring back of some manufacturers (or even lots within a manufacturer) to resize slightly differently. It can be annealing or even the composition of the brass itself. Anyway I don't see it as unusual. I try and keep my brass uniform so pretty much stick with the same head stamps as I resize lot or year to lot or year.

Ron

 

[KYregular]

Yes, not unusual but generally new factory .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO ammunition generally comes in as was mentioned right around the .223 Remington SAAMI cartridge specification of 1.460".

Once the brass is fired it is not at all unusual for the spring back of some manufacturers (or even lots within a manufacturer) to resize slightly differently. It can be annealing or even the composition of the brass itself. Anyway I don't see it as unusual. I try and keep my brass uniform so pretty much stick with the same head stamps as I resize lot or year to lot or year.

Ron

I usually don't have this issue when it's sorted.