minimum case for .223 info

[scarletfire]

hi guys,

new to the reloading hobby (obsession).

been trimming some cases and checking lengths.

just wondering how to find out how short is too short for .223 cases.
I'm sure there is a listing of SAAMI specs somewhere.

thanks, Bob

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Here is the link to SAAMI with the specs for rifle cartridges. It should answer all your questions. If not ask again and we can try something else.

http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/Z299-4_ANSI-SAAMI_CFR.pdf

 

[Walkalong]

I trim to 1.750. 1.740 is fine, and even 1.730 is OK unless you are hanging the bullet way out there (Very long OAL) and it's barely i n the case.

Too long is more too worry about than too short. Anything over 1.760 should get trimmed, even though a little longer can be safe in a lot of guns.

It isn't unusual for factory fired and resized brass to be under the usual trim to length of 1.750.

The link ArchAngelCD posted has all the specs.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just looked up the .223 numbers in the Hornady manual and was going post them but Walkalong beat me to it lol.

 

[hdwhit]

scarletfire wrote:
I'm sure there is a listing of SAAMI specs somewhere.

Do you have a reloading manual? The maximum case length and recommended "trim to" length are generally given by most manuals.

If you don't have a reloading manual, at least one should be considered a "must have". Different people like different manuals, but the relevant parts will be pretty much the same so there is no "best" manual.

If you have not already done so, you should study the part near the front of the manual that covers "How to Reload". Then you should read it a second time. There will be a test; it comes when you start assembling these potential pipe bombs we call cartridges.

I suggest to every new reloader that after they have studied their manual, they write down a step-by-step set of reloading procedures they are going to follow to make sure each step is done and nothing is overlooked. I also suggest this be done in checklist format and a copy completed for every batch of cartridges loaded. This will not only help you make sure you do everything you're supposed to do, it will also let you know where you left off if you get interrupted or distracted.

Good luck and welcome to THR.

 

[scarletfire]

thanks for the welcome.
been lurking around here for a while. seemed like every time i'd google something, reloading-wise, THR threads would show up.
figured i should join.

thanks for the link. will spend some time there this PM.

yes, there's a lyman and a lee manual on the bench.

I trim to 1.750. 1.740 is fine, and even 1.730 is OK unless you are hanging the bullet way out there (Very long OAL) and it's barely i n the case.

that's good to know. been trying to trim to 1.750 but...
there are a few of mine at 1.745. was wondering if that was too short.

thanks for the responses.

bob

 

[Blue68f100]

For some of us that shoot in high volume we trim evert reload cycle because it's faster to trim than to measure them. Most of unsafe using drill powered case trimmers, by WFT, TrimIt II, to name a few. I trim mine at 1.755 since I trim evert time, and anneal them.

Welcome to THR.....

 

[Walkalong]

seemed like every time i'd google something, reloading-wise, THR threads would show up.
figured i should join.

Same thing happened to me, I would google gun questions and THR kept coming up, with good info and polite members. I was so new to asking questions on the internet, and knew nothing of forums.

 

[Varminterror]

This isn't "beginner reloader" info, but more of a "master class" type pointer for your future. As @Walkalong mentioned, there's far more penalty for going over on case length than for falling short. Going over can mean a high pressure condition, as the case neck tries to cram itself into the chamber throat. Going under means potentially insufficient neck tension, and can only cause a problem if your action shoves the bullet deeper into the case as it's fed into the chamber (RARE)- but when properly approached, it's serviceable to go considerably below spec.

I can't recall what the actual length might have been but I know trimmed to either 1.730" or 1.725" to let me seat the 75grn A-max at AR-15 mag length without having the case mouth hanging over the ogive. Still had more neck contact than my .357/44 B&D, which has a lot more bullet weight, and it let me run a collet FCD to throw a little extra grip (wasn't necessary in my AR's).

 

[Dudedog]

Most of unsafe

?us use ? maybe, I hate auto correct sometimes

Concerning brass prep, since you are loading .223 you will probably have to remove crimps from the primer pockets.
I like to mark my reloads on the base with a colored sharpie, that way when I pick up brass at the range I can tell mine (which I have already removed the crimps from) from ones that I may need to remove the crimps from.
Saves time.(Mini 14 throws them a long way so they get mixed up with other brass easy)
Comes in handy for other things as well.
You can get a pack of 8 colors from Wally world for about $10, get the wide tip ones if you decide to buy some.

we trim every reload cycle because it's faster to trim than to measure them

I agree completely. Faster to hit them with my WFT than to measure.
I used a lathe type trimmer at first, then decided to get a WFT. Not cheap, not super expensive, money well spent, trimming .223 while not fun is no longer a pain.

there are a few of mine at 1.745. was wondering if that was too short.

You should be fine at 1.745

 

[bbqreloader]

I trim to 1.745, federal cases, and am now on the 6th reload for this batch (mileage may vary), but also checking cases for possible head case seperation. I'm still above middle load level but below max and so far, no issues. Using 55FMJ BT from RMR.

 

[Demi-human]

"THR, a clean and well lighted establishment."- E.H.

For information and commeraderie, there is no better place.

What are you loading for?

 

[Load Master]

thanks for the welcome.
been lurking around here for a while. seemed like every time i'd google something, reloading-wise, THR threads would show up.
figured i should join.

thanks for the link. will spend some time there this PM.

yes, there's a lyman and a lee manual on the bench.



that's good to know. been trying to trim to 1.750 but...
there are a few of mine at 1.745. was wondering if that was too short.

thanks for the responses.

bob

Bob, it sounds like you have this figured all out, I just want to check that your are full length sizing before trimming as I didn't see it mentioned in the earlier post. Size, then trim to length, and chamfer afterward. Welcome to the high road!