Reloading military brass for 223

mazo kid

Hello all, I know the difference between 5.56 and 223 ammo but is there a formula to use in reloading military brass to shoot in my Savage 111 223? Maybe decrease weight by "X" grains? I know the pressure would be higher in the military brass, using the same weight of powder. Just curious as I have a lot of the military stuff....hate to not be able to use it if for nothing else than plinking. Oh, I'll probably be using 4895 and/or Varget powder. Thanks. Emery

"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin

RadCat

Try to separate your "headstamps" if you can.

Start with the "lower" loads and proceed up, as usual.

Very important: check to see if you have "crimped primers", before you attempt to deprime them. If you do, proceed slowly, and use a decapper pin that is stout and will not break or bend. You must ream the primer pockets or use a special "primer pocket swaging tool", as otherwise you will have problems installing the new primers.

______________________________________________

"If it ain't broke, fix it anyway... make it better!" (RadCat)

sandwarrior

Mazo,

RCBS and Lee, I know, both have primer pocket swagers for about the price of most of their other dies. The reamer works well too. Even though you may get the heavy duty primer pin be careful as sometimes the primers are in there pretty hard. I have bent a couple of stems. You can buy them in heavy duty too.
It may be easier to look for a law enforcement sale on surplus brass. Most departments use Remington, Winchester or Federal and you don't have to worry about changing your dies to handle the heavier workload. Your press may be able to handle the extra workload but how you mount it to the bench may not also. Maybe not a problem with .223 but is with .308. -just some thoughts.

We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>

richbug

Military 223/556 ammo has slightky thicker walls that commercial ammo. Hodgdon recomends 27.5 grs of varget on a 55 gr bullet with commercial brass. Speer recomends 27.0 max of varget on Military brass.

I use 27.0 for both, even though I sort my brass, just incase a mil case ends up in my commercial brass.

My border collie is smarter than your honor student.

mazo kid

Thanks for the input; yep, I have deprimed military brass before. Not my favorite chore, but I get it done. I also have an RCBS primer pocket swager, so am all set there. Emery

"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin

Pinhead

I use to cut the primer crimp out with a pocket knife, then went to a lyman hand reamer, and then to a Dillon primer pocket swager. It is the fastest and easiest way to go. Not the cheapest but definetly the easiest way I have used. Does a great job too if you adjust it right.