.223 reloading question

midnightrunpaintballer

ok guys, i've been reloading for years for my handguns and it's time to start reloading for my ar in .223. i've never reloaded a bottleneck case. always been straight walled pistol cases. here's the problem, should i full length resize or just neck resize? i hear that neck resizing promotes longer brass life but i'm wondering if i'd need to do full length resizing because of the tight tolerances in my armalite... thanks in advance for the info.


p.s. to the moderator: i just realized you have another forumn for reloading topics and i guess i should've put this one there. please feel free to move this one. sorry.

sandwarrior

midnightrunpaintballer,

With the AR you will need to full length resize. As the case comes out of the chamber there are still hot gasses in the barrel pushing it. The cases tend to be a bit oversize. The best way with an AR to prolong the life of brass is to use a faster powder (for .223) and load down a bit. The faster powder will burn a little cleaner under lower pressures of downloading a bit.

Mobuck

I full length size all of my 223 cases mainly because they will be used in any of several rifles both ar's and bolt actions. Even if all your cases have been fired in your own rifle,you don't want a sticky case in your ar. Be sure you trim ALL your cases as I have found 223 cases to vary a lot in length. If you're using brass with crimped primer pockets, you'll need to remove the crimp. Even some of the commercial economy grade ammo will have a slight crimp that will cause repriming problems. I just finished processing about 2000 FC american eagle cases and they varied from no crimp to a fairly heavy strike requiring a hefty pull on the swager handle. Don't forget you need to lube the cases. Most manuals have a beginers section with step by step advice on both types of cases.

5mmgunguy

For any semiauto you will need to full length size everytime. In fact you may even have to go to what they call small base dies...it takes the case back to original dimensions. I use the small base dies the first time with all one fired military brass. My favorite load with the 223 is 27 grains of 748 behind a WW 55 grain SP. I am using once fired military brass headstamped WWC 97. My AR will put 5 shots into 1 inch at 100 yards and my Remington 760 will put them into 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Yes a pump that shoots that good.

AdamsQuailHunter

Thanks for the replies to "midnightrunpaintballer" guys.

I just got a Winchester model 70 in .233 and I will be putting your advice to good use.

Many thanks[:)]
Steve Adams
AdamsQuailHunter