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Ammunition & Hand Loading => Cartridge and Shotshell reloading => Topic started by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 12:39:46 PM

Title: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 12:39:46 PM
Probably a dumb question, but my only reloading experience is with 9mm. 

I bought a bunch of 5.56 plinking ammo.  Is there any reason it can not be reloaded?  I have a Wylde chamber on my gun so I can shoot either .223 or 5.56, but of course the 5.56 is pretty cheap at times. 

A couple of follow up questions.  Can the 5.56 case be resized to the .223? Is the 5.56 case generally thicker due to being loaded to higher pressures than the .223?

Thanks,
Fly
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: bkoenig on June 06, 2014, 12:52:22 PM
I think 5.56 brass is slightly thicker walled and has a little less case capacity, but it's all reloadable on the same equipment.  I've reloaded many, many rounds of 5.56 brass.
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 12:55:20 PM
Awesome!  Thanks.

Fly



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Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 01:16:02 PM
Depending on what type of brass you are running 556 needs to have the crimps removed from the primer pockets.
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: MHicks on June 06, 2014, 01:25:19 PM
Do a google search for 6mmbr.  They have a section for 223/5.56 that is extremely informative.  Not just about the chambers but a lot of other reloading questions you may find out you have later on.  IIRC the section is on the left side of their page.
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: bkoenig on June 06, 2014, 01:56:33 PM
Quote from: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 01:16:02 PM
Depending on what type of brass you are running 556 needs to have the crimps removed from the primer pockets.

Good point, I forgot about that.
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 03:14:57 PM
Quote from: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 01:16:02 PM
Depending on what type of brass you are running 556 needs to have the crimps removed from the primer pockets.

Is that something which is visible from base (outside) or inside the case?

Fly
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 03:18:56 PM
Yes normally it is. If you have any mil surplus or lake city brass more then likely it is crimped.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/1087igg.jpg)
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 03:21:05 PM
Quote from: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 03:18:56 PM
Yes normally it is. If you have any mil surplus or lake city brass more then likely it is crimped.

Hmmm...not sure what I'm looking for in that photo.  They look awfully similar.  Is the primer pocket on the non-crimped just slight rounded when compared to the crimped?

Thanks,
Fly
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 03:21:54 PM
It almost looks like the crimped has a ring (for lack of a better description) around the primer.

Fly
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 03:23:29 PM
Sorry yes it is the ring around the primer. You can push out the spend primer but getting a new one in is a no go...
Title: Re: Reloading 5.56
Post by: OnTheFly on June 06, 2014, 03:24:21 PM
Quote from: tstuart34 on June 06, 2014, 03:23:29 PM
Sorry yes it is the ring around the primer. You can push out the spend primer but getting a new one in is a no go...

Roger that.  Thanks.

Fly