Minimum .223 brass length?

[JJE76]

Trimmer went a little off, some brass went down to 1.737. Pitch it or good to go?

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[Certaindeaf]

Trimmer went a little off, some brass went down to 1.737. Pitch it or good to go?

It's impossible to determine since numbers are really just a mental construct.

 

[Tikka308]

I keep my rejected brass for 300 BO.

 

[Koda]

Trimmer went a little off, some brass went down to 1.737. Pitch it or good to go?

1.730 is minimum so your good. You can download the case blueprint specs from saami

 

[po18guy]

Anyway, the case headspaces on the shoulder, so OAL is not as critical as with many other cartridges.

 

[DizzyJ]

Keep but segregate.

 

[Caveman Jim]

At one time I had a bunch of FC cases that I had rathold for years knowing that they were short, 1.734-1.744. The reason was that I had 1000 55g FMJ bullets that the cannelure was lower on the bullet. It worked out pretty well centering the mild crimp on that you cannelure for plinking ammo.

 

[JJE76]

It's Federal once fired. Primer pockets are really tight as well. Plus the trim after they were processed were not square. That's why I tried to shave some off. Might just pitch it.

 

[fstdraw]

I've had fine luck/results using FC 1.735-1.749 brass. Shoots fine. I do keep it in a different can than the 1.750 trimmed stuff, but that's the only difference.

 

[Mikej]

I show trim-to in the Lyman 49th at 1.750". That means the max is, generally, .010" more. According to the Speer #14 book. As said above, the round head spaces on the shoulder. Get your calipers and spread them .013" and see how little that is. I'd load it without worries. If you've got 10,000 more .223 cases and don't want it, chuck it.

 

[fstdraw]

OP was asking about MINIMUM case length he can safely load and shoot. He's in good shape at 1.737 and longer.

 

[arrowshooter]

Might just pitch it.

If you won't miss it, do it. If you decide to keep it afterall and you crimp, keep it separate and adjust your crimp accordingly. It may stretch out a little more after a couple more firings.

 

[JJE76]

If you won't miss it, do it. If you decide to keep it afterall and you crimp, keep it separate and adjust your crimp accordingly. It may stretch out a little more after a couple more firings.

I do a very light crimp.

 

[arrowshooter]

So if your "good" brass is XX in length, adjust your crimp die down the difference to 1.737". This will keep your crimp pressure the same.

 

[ma96782]

RE : Speaking of .223 Rem

Assuming that (from the Hornady Reloading Manual).....
Max length is 1.760"
Trim is .010 shorter. Listed as 1.750"

Well.....I'd still use them for those times when I go in the "wildernerss." Rrrrright.....you're bound to lose some of the brass anyway.

Aloha, Mark

PS......Yup, mistakes can/could/will happen. I once trimmed a batch to 1.740" (trying to work off of memory without the book is probably a bad idea). Anyway, with the next firing, they went into the recycle bin.

 

[Caveman Jim]

It's Federal once fired. Primer pockets are really tight as well. Plus the trim after they were processed were not square. That's why I tried to shave some off. Might just pitch it.

Don't pitch them, post them on the PIF thread. Many people are looking for cases to cut down for 300 blackout.

 

[Caveman Jim]

I've had fine luck/results using FC 1.735-1.749 brass. Shoots fine. I do keep it in a different can than the 1.750 trimmed stuff, but that's the only difference.

Same as I and I also sort all my 223/556 by head stamps. I keep some and sell/trade the rest.

 

[fstdraw]

Caveman Jim is right on the money. I too separate by .223 or 5.56. LC in one box and all other 5.56 in another, .223 in a third. Now if I just had an unlimited number of primers...

 

[Caveman Jim]

Well there are quite a few showing up here on the classifieds for about $100/thousand.

 

[fstdraw]

Yep, and don't buy them.