Probably dumb question - resizing loaded rounds...

[armoredman]

Specifically, .223. I have a bunch I loaded for a rifle that went bye bye, and it had a generous chamber that liked to brass sized on full length dies. My AR is MUCH pickier, (Bear Creek Arsenal barrel), and will choke on FLS brass, MUST be done on a small base die. No, I can't afford to swap barrels right now. Small base dies are RCBS.
Now, I haven't looked inside the sizing die yet to see if it would fit, but do you think that with the decapping pin removed, that the sizing die could be used just to outside size the brass without negative effects? Anyone tried anything quite this dumb? If it was just a few rounds I wouldn't bother, ut it's quite a few of them.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I don't believe so because the bullet makes the neck larger and your die makes the neck smaller, the bullet will hit inside the die and not let you get a full ram stroke.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Unfortunately you have to break them down to resize them, then load them back up. Like CarJunkie said, the case won't go in the neck sizing die with a bullet in it.

 

[forty_caliber]

It may be possible but it depends on how the die is designed. Rather than just removing the decapping pin remove the entire center rod. The neck expander is typically a button installed on that rod.

I would try it with one round and see if it works. If you get a full stroke and all goes well, you will need to check OAL and neck tension. Then see if it actually chambers.

.40

 

[Blue68f100]

You can use a body die but not a FL sizing die. The difference is the body die does only the body and does not touches the neck. Redding is then one I have, part of the Type S set. I have min spec 223 chambers and I use only std dies, small base not required. But I think since Redding dies are setup for the competition shell holder which starts 0.010" tall their dies go down further than a std set.

 

[edwardware]

No. The die neck is 0.003-0.005" smaller than the loaded round neck, assuming typical die dim's and neck tension.

Additionally, when you stick a case, how are going to remove it? Remember, it's got a primer and powder. . .

You might successfully use a body die to bump the shoulder. . . but you should still be prepared to drop it in the trash with a stuck, charged, case.

 

[Walkalong]

My question would be if it is the body diameter causing issues or the shoulder position, or both. Have a case gauge? Some check headspace/shoulder position only cut with a generous body (Wilson) and some are cut to check the body diameter as well Sheridan).

You can't resize them with a bullet seated. Redding makes a body die that might work, dunno. Break them down, get a case gauge, and take better control of your sizing.

 

[Demi-human]

For all the work, I would trade them to someone with a generously chambered AR...
Usually for money, but sometimes for Kismet.

 

[mjsdwash]

being in a rare position to answer your question from virtually identical experience, I can say using Lee dies, I took the decapper pin and collar out, and did just what you ask successfully on many round. A friend with the same problem using the same model of Lee dies could not get it to work on his, and ended up pulling the bullets. Just my experience,

 

[labnoti]

Can't say for sure, but I'd try either a Redding Body Die or a Lee Factory Crimp Die. Either one should outside-size the body and should work fine with a loaded cartridge.

Edit: actually I don't think the Lee FCD resizes rifle brass. I think it might only do that with handgun brass.

 

[Walkalong]

Edit: actually I don't think the Lee FCD resizes rifle brass. I think it might only do that with handgun brass.

Yep.

 

[armoredman]

Thank you for the answers, much appreciated, and that's kind of what I thought, long shot question. mjsdwash,. many thanks, but my Lee dies are full length, and the AR like them a wee bit smaller than that, but thank you for the unique perspective.
Oh well. I did find out I MIGHT be able to get a new barrel for a song from a buddy, so I'll hang on to what I have and see if rebarreling is the answer.

 

[zeke]

Redding makes a sb body die https://www.amazon.com/Redding-Small-Base-Body-Remington/dp/B000GU6X7S
And if memory holds, so does rcbs. using them successfully for loaded rounds may depend on amount of sizing needed. Have used them on loaded 223/308 successfully.

 

[fguffey]

Yes it can be done, I have done it long before bushing dies. And for those than can hone/grind the neck of the full length sizing die it is possible to make dies with neck clearance,

Before that I used 8mm/06 sizing dies on 30/06 rounds, 30/06 dies for sizing shoulder/case body's for 270 Winchester etc.

F. Guffey

 

[Rule3]

How many or much is a "BUNCH"? 100, 1,000 ??

A collet/die type bullet puller is not that expensive (collet caliber extra) rather than barrels, modification of dies etc etc.

RCBS or Hornady

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/680804/rcbs-collet-bullet-puller

 

[Grumulkin]

I had some cartridges that would chamber in one gun and not in another. A body die solved my problem but I can't promise it will solve yours.

 

[sequins]

Ed: I see my suggestion was already debunked

 

[Ireload2]

The RCBS trim dies have an enlarged neck that is about .010 larger than a common FL sizing die. The trim die will permit sizing your loaded rounds but I do not know if they will size enough for fit your smaller chamber.
This same question was asked on another forum. The shooter had several hundred rounds of .22-250 ammo. I suggested that he try the trim die. Fortunately for him he already had a trim die and it fixed his problem ammo so it would chamber in his new rifle.

 

[fguffey]

I suggested that he try the trim die. Fortunately for him he already had a trim die and it fixed his problem ammo so it would chamber in his new rifle.

RCBS claims cases formed in the trim die must be full length sized. I have 16 forming/trim dies, after forming cases with a forming die I do not have a chamber the cases I must size all of my formed cases in a full length sizing die.

I do find using the forming die has its advantages, the forming/trim die allows me to off set the length of the chamber with the length of the case.

All of my trim dies have the same order number as the forming die.

F. Guffey

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Thank you for the answers, much appreciated, and that's kind of what I thought, long shot question. mjsdwash,. many thanks, but my Lee dies are full length, and the AR like them a wee bit smaller than that, but thank you for the unique perspective.
Oh well. I did find out I MIGHT be able to get a new barrel for a song from a buddy, so I'll hang on to what I have and see if rebarreling is the answer.

Why debarrel?
As cheap as parts are, if you get the barrel, I’d say strongly consider getting a stripped upper, then pick up a UPK, gas tube, and inexpensive handrail. Of course that becomes another upper. Then you’ll need another lower, but it’s part of the price of admission and keeps stray parts from running off!

And as we know any excuse is a good excuse to build another AR and not mess with an existing one!

As for the question, it seems like some have done what you want to do but it doesn’t sound like it’s worth the effort. But that’s just me.

 

[jmorris]

If you cut the U-die off at the shoulder you could size a loaded round. Might have to put the nut on the bottom to keep it in place, depending on what press your using.

The reason they have an expander in them is because the die makes the neck under and the expander opens it back up. So if you don’t cut that part off, you’ll swage your bullets and the work is for nothing, except making scrap materials.

That said, if I have a barrel that required special undersized ammunition I would fix it. Not saying I don’t own any firearms that require ammunition that isn’t something “off the shelf” but they are not chambered in rounds like .223/.308 and such.

 

[lightman]

I would pull the bullets, dump the powder and resize the brass. If you know what powder that you used you can salvage everything except your time. You can remove the depriming pin and leave the primer alone. Many of us have resized loaded rounds but the risk of having a loaded round stuck in the die would be a concern for me.

 

[greyling22]

I'd use a finish reamer to fix your chamber, but that's just me. you can rent one for like 45 bucks.