Reloading 5.45x39 w/ .222 nickel brass?

[bacardi]

Hi all,
First post. I've read JA545's posts from awhile back. I know several shooters that want to reload for this caliber, for Service Rifle Matches, but are wondering if the .222 nickel plated brass will be alright for running through a $150 RCBS full length re-sizing die.
Any potential issues?
Thanks, bac.

 

[Reloadron]

This would likely fare much better in the reloading section of the forums.

That said my read on this as I have never done it would be that yes, 5.45 x 39 brass can be made by using 222 Remington brass. Another possible I have seen mentioned is using 220 Russian brass. When I went through a 6 PPC phase I was taking Lapua 220 Russian brass and resizing to 6 PPC dies (necking up the 220 brass) then fire forming it.

Will the nickel plating matter? I don't know but if I were to try this I would just buy 222 Remington brass, anneal the necks, size the brass and finally trim to length. Pure speculation on my part as again, never tried it.

Hopefully a kind moderator will relocate this thread to the reloading and handloading section. Really need someone who has been there and done that.

Ron

 

[bacardi]

cool.

Ron,
Thanks. I'll try again over in 'reloading' section.
bac

 

[Sam1911]

<Moved>

 

[bacardi]

FYI, the $144 (+ shipping) RCBS full length re-sizing die is special order from here: http://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=19457&cat=903&page=1

Setting back the .222 case shoulder into the body for 5.45x39 specs, looks like .084, is this too optimistic? Meanwhile the rear of the .222 case has .008 on either side of the web area to move about.

It’s not looking good.

 

[Mobuck]

I just measured a .222 case and found the base and rim @.375" .
The 5.45x39 measured .391" at the base and .392" at the rim. This sounds like a recipe for a split case body especially with the less flexible nickel plated brass.

 

[bacardi]

That's what I thought. Thanks for checking Mobuck. Your measurements equal mine. We found some .222 nickel brass for sale but will pass. The differential in case dimension numbers seem too great.

It's a shame that reloading for 5.45x39 isn't a sure thing. Yet.
bac

 

[Mobuck]

I was unable to find a close sized parent case for conversion to 5.45x39 after checking both "Cartridges of the World" and "The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions". The 9x19 handgun case has the proper head/rim size but of course is too short.