fireforming 222 from 223 cases

hpsarso

I'm looking to find any information(or a point in the right direction)how to fireform 222 cases out of 223 cases. Any info would be greatly appreciated as I have a tackdriver varmint rifle in that caliber...thanks

dcs shooters

Run them through the 222 sizing die, then trim about .060 off them and load and fire form.

hpsarso

Do you anneal the casemouths first or afterwards(to soften them to make them easier on the sizing die?)...thanks

5mmgunguy

Not sure you will successfully run a 223 case into a 222 sizing die and make a 222 case in one pass. I think you will need one in-between forming die. Maybe two. But I think one form die and then a final pass in the 222 sizer...as noted you will need to trim too.

sandwarrior

hpsarso,

Do like DCS shooter said. Except I would check the neck thickness. If that's okay then shoot 'em out. If you have a tight neck you may need to neck turn them.

Also, anneal them after two or three loadings as needed. You won't need to anneal them first. My best groups came from sizing down LC brass to .222 and fired them out of my .222 Win 70 HB. Mine sized down in one shot. {oops, pun NOT intended}
Edit:
They sized down with one sizing then fire-formed. They shot the best groups on the second and third go-rounds. I annealed after the second firing.

hpsarso

Thanks for the info.I have plenty of LC casings(b4 the prices went sky high) so I'm sure that I'll have to adjust my load data because of the difference in case thicknesses also...thanks again

mrbruce

I just love it when a poster answers a question with a --I'm not sure, and I think maybe---