Can these .223 shells be reloaded? - The Firearms Forum

elber · 10-04-2003, 04:00 PM

Hi All,

This is a picture of some of the shells ejected by my ranch rifle... I don't currently reload, but I always gather up my brass when I'm done at the range. What I am wondering is, how much damage is too much to run through a press and reload? 1-6 are basically the best to worst condition that I see, and #7 is just one that is pretty chewed up.

Thanks!
-elber

Xracer · 10-05-2003, 08:32 AM

One through three are fine. #4 is marginal but worth a try. Forget the rest.

Tony Mig · 10-05-2003, 04:06 PM

Are they Boxer Primed, or military Berdan Primed.......?

Boxer primers you can reload, from what I'm told you'll have a difficult time if they're Berdan Primed........

elber · 10-05-2003, 05:04 PM

They are Winchester USA - not sure what kind of primer they have, but pretty sure it's nothing fancy!

-elber

inplanotx · 10-06-2003, 07:19 AM

Elber, first off welcome to TFF. I would agree with Xracer on this. However, these can be reformed if you get a tapered neck sizer button for your reloading die. The big drawback to resizing caved in necks is that it works the brass too much and you will get cracks in the case neck.

Now, you may be able to get rid of the problem by slightly changing the recoil spring weight. A good set of Wolf springs may do the trick for ya. Might want to ask your local gunsmith about it!

armedandsafe · 10-06-2003, 11:58 AM

If you anneal the necks after re-rounding them, the life of the brass is not shortened. I've recovered many a 30-06 case with a battered/dented mouth.

Pops

elber · 10-07-2003, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the info, folks! (will help to reduce my luggage a bit...)

I'll look into the wolf springs, too.... Will try to remember to post a pic of what the shells come out like afterwards.

-elber

rodog · 10-26-2003, 10:57 PM

ive reloaded a **** load of 223 for my mini-14, and i want to tell you some info that i had to do. I had to sand off about 1/8 inch from the die bottom , so it would size the top of the brass, because it would chamber hard big time after reloading , since then there fine. I had to shave a Lee die and Rcbs die. Also, i loaded 1 grain under max if i remember, and they function awsome, static firing too. AND, you will probably have to trim a lot of them , so i pays off if you buy a trim die or the power trimmer, etc.

Cliff · 10-29-2003, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by inplanotx
Elber, first off welcome to TFF. I would agree with Xracer on this. However, these can be reformed if you get a tapered neck sizer button for your reloading die. The big drawback to resizing caved in necks is that it works the brass too much and you will get cracks in the case neck.

Now, you may be able to get rid of the problem by slightly changing the recoil spring weight. A good set of Wolf springs may do the trick for ya. Might want to ask your local gunsmith about it!

If one will make sure that the outside of the neck and inside the neck are well lubricated and the expander is smooth and slow, I, I would use them all. Remember I didn't tell you that you could, would, should reload them though.

10-04-2003, 04:00 PM	#1
elber Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 25	Can these .223 shells be reloaded? Hi All, This is a picture of some of the shells ejected by my ranch rifle... I don't currently reload, but I always gather up my brass when I'm done at the range. What I am wondering is, how much damage is too much to run through a press and reload? 1-6 are basically the best to worst condition that I see, and #7 is just one that is pretty chewed up. Thanks! -elber Attached Images -->

10-05-2003, 04:06 PM	#3
Tony Mig Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Sorprano State Posts: 716	Are they Boxer Primed, or military Berdan Primed.......? Boxer primers you can reload, from what I'm told you'll have a difficult time if they're Berdan Primed........ __________________ "I solemnly swear to tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you need to know." New Jersey Politician's oath of office O /\ (( -------------v-

10-06-2003, 07:19 AM	#5
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Elber, first off welcome to TFF. I would agree with Xracer on this. However, these can be reformed if you get a tapered neck sizer button for your reloading die. The big drawback to resizing caved in necks is that it works the brass too much and you will get cracks in the case neck. Now, you may be able to get rid of the problem by slightly changing the recoil spring weight. A good set of Wolf springs may do the trick for ya. Might want to ask your local gunsmith about it! __________________

10-05-2003, 08:32 AM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	One through three are fine. #4 is marginal but worth a try. Forget the rest.

10-05-2003, 05:04 PM	#4
elber Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 25	They are Winchester USA - not sure what kind of primer they have, but pretty sure it's nothing fancy! -elber

10-06-2003, 11:58 AM	#6
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	If you anneal the necks after re-rounding them, the life of the brass is not shortened. I've recovered many a 30-06 case with a battered/dented mouth. Pops

10-07-2003, 08:28 PM	#7
elber Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 25	Thanks for the info, folks! (will help to reduce my luggage a bit...) I'll look into the wolf springs, too.... Will try to remember to post a pic of what the shells come out like afterwards. -elber

10-26-2003, 10:57 PM	#8
rodog Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA, Massachusetts Posts: 31	ive reloaded a **** load of 223 for my mini-14, and i want to tell you some info that i had to do. I had to sand off about 1/8 inch from the die bottom , so it would size the top of the brass, because it would chamber hard big time after reloading , since then there fine. I had to shave a Lee die and Rcbs die. Also, i loaded 1 grain under max if i remember, and they function awsome, static firing too. AND, you will probably have to trim a lot of them , so i pays off if you buy a trim die or the power trimmer, etc.