How To Convert GI 223 blanks (w/pictures)

[Texas Colt]

This is what happens when you have a winter day with nothing to do...

A while back I ordered a large quantity of once-fired Lake City 223 brass from an online source. It was supposed to be free of blanks. When the brass arrived, I ended up with over 130 rounds of blanks. The seller made it right and sent me more regular once-fired brass to make up for it. But what to do with all the blanks?

I read several posts that said 223 blanks could not be reloaded. I took that as a challenge to solve the problem.

Below are some step-by-step pictures of how I managed to convert the blanks into usable brass. I did loose about 10% of the brass to things like trial-and-error and a few split case necks, but overall the process works.

1. Using a 223 trim die in my press, I ran the case as high as it would go, then used a hack saw to cut the tip off the blank. Using the trim die ensures that the finished product won't be too short.





2. Using a tapered center punch, I tapped it into the top of the case to expand the remaining crimp from the case mouth.



Here's 15 rounds after the case mouth was opened up.



3. Cases were then resized using a standard RCBS .223 sizing/decapping die.

4. After sizing, the cases were trimmed to 1.750" in a Forster case trimmer.



5. Next, the case mouth was chamferred and the primer pocket crimp removed. And lastly, the cases were tumble polished.

Here's the finished product - ready to be loaded.

 

[ljnowell]

I thought blank cases werent made to hold the pressure of regular rounds.

 

[gdcpony]

I thought blank cases werent made to hold the pressure of regular rounds.

I second this. Are you planning reduced loads (cast bullets)? Or maybe new blanks?

 

[Texas Colt]

So far, I have only used these for reduced power loads (55 grain FMJ bullet at 2000 fps).

I read somewhere that the brass used to make blanks is "seconds" from regular production. This may be true because many of the rounds I converted had flash holes that were slightly off-center .

 

[Randy1911]

I have always heard that the web of the case wasn't strong enough to withstand the higher pressures of normal loads. And why go to this much trouble when regular brass is available?

 

[mptrimshop]

I do not reload...so if i'm way off , I'm sorry... i thought the chamber was suppose to handle all the pressure.

 

[Walkalong]

No, the brass plays a big part as well.


Nifty way to salvage some brass, even if it uses are limited. Great pics too.

Are you going to test a case or two to see how they hold up to full loads?

 

[Texas Colt]

And why go to this much trouble when regular brass is available?

Just to see if it could be done

I have plenty of regular 223 brass on hand, so it's not that I needed the extra brass. Sometimes it's just fun (for me) to see if something can be done. My wife says I'm weird like that

 

[Quoheleth]

<shrug>

It's your eyes and face, I guess. Personally, mine are too valuable for this kind of experimentation.

Q

 

[Sudden Impact]

Texas Colt,

Have you tried firing these?

Also, have you considered cutting one lengthwise and doing the same to a std. cartridge for web thickness comparison?

Just curious.

 

[rcmodel]

i thought the chamber was suppose to handle all the pressure.

The brass case web is the only seal the chamber has at the rear end.

The case expands under pressure and tightly seals the chamber.
If the case fails to do that, 55,000 PSI of white hot gas & molten brass leaks into the action like a cutting torch.
And the rifle blows up in your face.

I would be very concerned about the deep cannelure ring on the blank cases really weakening them at that point.
The cannelure is just about exactly where a case fails, when it fails!

Plus, you have absolutely no way of knowing if those blanks have proper case head tempering and body annealing.

IMO: Playing with fire to save a very few bucks my friend!

rc

 

[Texas Colt]

OK gang, I've taken this little project one step farther. I took a standard LC case and a blank LC case and split them open with my dremel. Then took a few measurements. Both the standard case and the blank case measured exactly the same in the three areas listed below.

Neck .010
At cannelure .035
Base .090

The case on the left is the standard. The case on the right is the blank.

 

[Matt3357]

Any chance of calling Lake city to ask? I am figuring that they will say that it is unsafe for liability reasons but who knows.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[dcbridgwater]

It looks like the flash hole is chamfered more on the blank case. Would that create a weak spot on a full pressure case?

 

[shibbykins]

very interesting indeed. I had wondered about this.

 

[45ACPUSER]

M852 308 Match ammo had a cannalure on the case for the purposes at the time to ID it from ammo not for combat use.....Till the Amry JAG decided OTM was not an expanding bullet type.....

 

[Jesse Heywood]

It looks like the flash hole is chamfered more on the blank case. Would that create a weak spot on a full pressure case?

It is at the strongest portion of the case. And going by my eyes and the picture the diameter of the flash hole in the blank case is smaller, with the beveled end being close to the same diameter as the standard case.

Tex, I just wish you hadn't cut up the good brass. A close friend supplies movie guns and could have used the brass. But you did have fun experimenting, one of my passions!

While blanks operate at lower pressures than standard ammo, don't let them fool you. Fast burning powder is used, along with a restrictor at the end of the barrel. Even with a lighter spring, there is a good amount of pressure required to cycle the action on a full auto gun. It's fun shooting full auto guns with blanks, but it ain't cheap any more.

 

[Sunray]

"...said 223 blanks could not be reloaded..." They can't be reloaded as blanks. You could have saved a step by just cutting off the crimp. It's only there to allow feeding. Simulates the bullet point.
"...figuring that they will say..." Likely tell you nothing.

 

[Ret.CWO]

Texas Colt I found your post very interesting to say the least. Years ago when brass was hard to come by a couple of guys including myself policed up a lot of fired blank brass after FTX's conducted by our unit. All of us you can guess where into reloading. I have loaded blank brass for many many years as for the others. People on this form can say stay away from this but the proof in the pudding. I have some blank cases that are on thier fifth time & are still good. I loaded them with pulled 55 gr. FMJ 25.5 gr. of W748 standard Win. SRP I shot them in my Rem.748 & 700 along with various AR's and Mini 14. Never a problem. I think you proved it. If you called LC and asked they would tell you absolutely not. Remember this country has to many lawyers just waiting to pounce, so what would you expect them to say.

 

[qajaq59]

All I can say Texas Colt is you had to be really bored!!