Remington .223 brass

View · by **Doc Harvey** on Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:36 pm

Stoopid, "newb-ish" reloading question. I've been reloading .223 lately. My first batch (using Wolf brass) went pretty darn well. My second batch (using PMC brass) also went pretty well. My third batch, using "RP" brass (which I assume is Remington) isn't going so well. I've noticed when resizing that all of it appears to have been crimped, as there is a fine line around the case mouth. Some of these split when I resize/deprime. Others don't seem to fully trim when I put them in the trimmer (a WFT chucked up in a drill press), and by that I mean to say I can see an uneven trim along the edge of the case mouth. I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling with this stuff and I'm just wondering if I'm being too picky, or should I put them all in the bottom of a drawer somewhere because Remington brass is trash. Opinions? And just FYI, none of this is for hunting or any type of self defense. It's just all "range ammo" for plinking, etc. Thanks in advance.

View · by **MJY65** on Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:53 pm

The brass might be just a bit short and the trimmer isn't cutting evenly. I'd turn it down a few thousandths to get an even mouth. Otherwise, fire them a few times. They'll get longer.

View · by **LarryFlew** on Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:59 pm

Never had a problem with Remington Peters but as worst case it becomes 300blackout.

View · by **Doc Harvey** on Tue Jan 26, 2016 5:30 pm

Thanks, gents. Sounds like I'm just being too finicky. I have about 100 cases prepped. I load them and run 'em and see how it goes.

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:04 am

If I have any misgivings about brass, it goes into the recycling bucket. I would not care to harm body or firearm for a couple coins worth of casing. Just not worth the consequences. Why take chances?

View · by JJ on Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:46 am

Doc Harvey wrote:Stoopid, "newb-ish" reloading question. I've been reloading .223 lately. My first batch (using Wolf brass) went pretty darn well. My second batch (using PMC brass) also went pretty well. My third batch, using "RP" brass (which I assume is Remington) isn't going so well. I've noticed when resizing that all of it appears to have been crimped, as there is a fine line around the case mouth. Some of these split when I resize/deprime. Others don't seem to fully trim when I put them in the trimmer (a WFT chucked up in a drill press), and by that I mean to say I can see an uneven trim along the edge of the case mouth. I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling with this stuff and I'm just wondering if I'm being too picky, or should I put them all in the bottom of a drawer somewhere because Remington brass is trash. Opinions? And just FYI, none of this is for hunting or any type of self defense. It's just all "range ammo" for plinking, etc. Thanks in advance.

Trim to length on 223 is 1.750", but SAMMI cartidge tolerance is 1.730-1.760". It is not uncommon on first firing for cases to be shorter than book trim to length. You can either trim to SAAMI min, or trim-to min, and accept the case mouth will not be uniform. This does not make a significant difference for general ammo. if you were doing match prep, i would have a different opinion.

As for the spplit case necks. this is abnormal for once fired brass. To me it indicates the case necks are not properly annealed, and/or the case necks need some lube. Your mandrel may have a rough finish as well, that would make the problem worse. Lack of lube on the case necks is a common issue with people wet tumbling, or ultrasonic cleaning brass. If you are using one of those processes, a little graphite for the case necks will go a long way. That, or a 5 minute tumble in corn cob/walnut after wet tumbling helps as well.