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Post by erjdriver on Apr 26, 2015 18:35:26 GMT -5
Good evening and Happy Sunday campers!!
Been a while since I was on the board...been busy flying and I stay even more busy with the union volunteer work I do. Haven't had a chance until now to get on the bench (had some vacation time this month) , but I've FINALLY gotten to the point that I'm starting my .223 reloading project.
I looked in the Lee Reloading Manual as my reference and it shows the maximum case length for .223 1.760". I measured some factory 5.56 ammo I have (Federal) and the case on that measures 1.38", maybe up to 1.40". The bulk of the brass I have is from Everglades and it's predominately (I'd say 99%+) Lake City brass. So my question is, what trim length do y'all recommend? Going as far down as 1.40" as measured on the Federal factory ammo or something longer and closer to the maximum length? I know a lot of this depends on my gun's chamber which is a CMMG AR-15 chambered to fit both 5.56mm and .223.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated.....thanks y'all!!!
jvb
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457 
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Apr 26, 2015 18:59:26 GMT -5
Erj: The books recommend "Trim to Length" 1.750" I normally don't trim that much off my cases but I'm not loading for an "AR" either. Sounds as though you'll have to stretch the cases some before trimming them.
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Post by hacker54 on Apr 26, 2015 19:21:25 GMT -5
erjdriver,
First off good to hear from ya!! Question. Are you sure you are getting a measurement of 1.38-1.40 on .223/5.56? That according to spec drawings that would be at where the shoulder starts for the case. The measurements you give would be the about the length for 300 AAC Blackout. Trim length as per most manuals would be .010 less than the max length. The manuals would give 1.750 as the trim length. I have been doing reloading for the son-in-law's Ar in that cal. and have the trimmer setup about .003 less that trim length. Works out to be 1.746-1.747 give or take. All brass so far has been once fired in his gun. After full sizing I run them through the trimmer and ones that don't get trimmed at that setting get set aside and loaded separately. I'm using 55gr FMJBT with cannelure and crimp in the cannelure. Yes some factory ammo is shorter than what the general specs are.
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Apr 26, 2015 19:42:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm curious also what are you measuring? Your dimensions don't jibe with anything on the .223 case!
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Post by erjdriver on Apr 26, 2015 19:55:02 GMT -5
Ooops...my bad! I didn't read my caliper correctly the first time. I'm measuring a factory Federal .223 Remington round and it measure 1.735" - 1.740...that probably sounds a little more like it. Thanks y'all...I guess it took me just talking about it to realize my error.  |
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Apr 26, 2015 20:14:16 GMT -5
Check your case length after you've sized them then trim as necessary. As I said above I don't trim to the book trim to length, I leave them longer but that's me.
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Post by erjdriver on Apr 26, 2015 20:32:34 GMT -5
Check your case length after you've sized them then trim as necessary. As I said above I don't trim to the book trim to length, I leave them longer but that's me. Thanks Mr. Bob. If memory serves, some of the cases I measured were 1.800" and above after sizing. I cratered and spent the $$ on an L.E. Wilson Cartridge Gage and it actually works great to assist me with this! I watched one You Tube video with a guy reloading .223 and he trims his cases if anything is over 1.750" with 1.72" being his lower tolerance (sounds a little short to me, but what do I know). I guess I'll trim for somewhere between 1.745" - 1.750". And these will just be plinking rounds, so it's not necessary for me to dial this in to shoot a flea at 100 yards... Thanks again y'all.....  |
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Apr 27, 2015 19:45:11 GMT -5
ERJDriver like Bob I seldom trim to the actual book spec trim length the all my 7-08 stuff gets trimmed to 2.030 which if memory servers me would be about .005 longer than suggested trim length. I do this because I neck size only other than for my Ruger Mini 14 which I actually trim to 1.745. The thing you want to do is make sure you trim is consistently the same length weather it is 1.750 or if you decide to go shorter just be consistently the same length.
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Post by erjdriver on Apr 27, 2015 20:23:24 GMT -5
ERJDriver like Bob I seldom trim to the actual book spec trim length the all my 7-08 stuff gets trimmed to 2.030 which if memory servers me would be about .005 longer than suggested trim length. I do this because I neck size only other than for my Ruger Mini 14 which I actually trim to 1.745. The thing you want to do is make sure you trim is consistently the same length weather it is 1.750 or if you decide to go shorter just be consistently the same length. Thanks for that input and advice! I invested in the Hornady L-N-L Case Prep Center, so obtaining consistent trim length shouldn't be a problem...at least I hope not with as much as that thing cost!!  I had it dialed in the other day when I trimmed my 25 test rounds to 1.738" and I think the deviation was no more than +/- .001". |
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I had it dialed in the other day when I trimmed my 25 test rounds to 1.738" and I think the deviation was no more than +/- .001".
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
