Another newb question - .223 and .40 bullet sizes

[evolve23]

New reloader here, thanks in advance for any advice or knowledge.

Please help me clear up a couple of things:

1. I've got some .223 brass that I would like to reload. I noticed in the catalogs the bullet size is .22 cal; .224" diameter. Is this the right size bullet?

2. For .40 cal bullets, i've noticed something similar. The bullet size is 10mm; .400" diameter. Is this right for .40 cal ammo?

3. I'm looking at getting some factory 5.56 ammo. When I get ready to reload this, do I need a different die? I've seen something about a die that removes crimps. My rifle hasn't left any crimps in the .223 brass I've shot.When using the .223 die to reload a 5.56 case, is there any explicit resizing that takes place, or is this all done by the .223 resizing die?

 

[rcmodel]

.223/5.56mm uses .224" bullets.
.40 S&W uses .400" jacketed bullets.

.223 dies are used to load either .223 or 5.56mm cases. Same thing.

MIlitary 5.56mm cases are crimped to hold the primer in place in full-auto fire. You may also find some brands of commercial .223 Rem with crimped primers.

Your rifle doesn't crimp it, as it's already crimped from the factory.

You will need to remove the factory primer crimp by either reaming or swaging it out before you can reload the cases.

You might ought to buy a couple of reloading manuals and read them several times before you get too much further into reloading!
They would have answered all your questions.

rc

 

[evolve23]

Ok thanks for answering my questions. I thought the military crimp referred to how some military rifles like the HK91 will bang up a spent casing badly.

 

[rcmodel]

See this about that:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6071585&postcount=6

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

New reloader here, thanks in advance for any advice or knowledge.

Please help me clear up a couple of things:

1. I've got some .223 brass that I would like to reload. I noticed in the catalogs the bullet size is .22 cal; .224" diameter. Is this the right size bullet?

2. For .40 cal bullets, i've noticed something similar. The bullet size is 10mm; .400" diameter. Is this right for .40 cal ammo?

3. I'm looking at getting some factory 5.56 ammo. When I get ready to reload this, do I need a different die? I've seen something about a die that removes crimps. My rifle hasn't left any crimps in the .223 brass I've shot.When using the .223 die to reload a 5.56 case, is there any explicit resizing that takes place, or is this all done by the .223 resizing die?

Cartridge designations can be confusing.

For instance, 221 Remington, 220 Swift, 222 Remington, 223 Remington, 225 Winchester, 5.56 x 45, 218 Bee, 219 Donaldson Wasp and many others all use a .224" diameter bullet.

Old 22 Hornet barrels and 22 Rim fire use .223 diameter bullets. New 22 Hornet barrels use .224 diameter bullets.

38 ACP and 38 Super are the same dimensionally but 38 Super rounds should not be used in a 38 ACP pistol.

380 ACP is also know as 9x17, 9mm Kurz, and a few others.

38 Special and 357 Magnum use the same diameter bullet.

The Europeans have different designations for some cartridges as in United States.

And the list could go on. The alphabet soup in regards to cartridge designations can give one a headache.

There are relatively few bullet diameters in standard sizes than the number of cartridge designations.

So, when in doubt, ask questions, read books, and do the research to make sure. It is good that you did!

 

[evolve23]

Will commercial 5.56 have the military primer crimp as well?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, very likely it will.
If it didn't, it would not meet any .5.56 NATO spec and they couldn't truthfully call it 5.56mm.

rc