5.56 brass reloaded for a 223

[akolleth]

I know about the whole 5.56 ammunition not being safe in a 223 chambered rifle issue.

But my question is, if I reaload an empty 5.56 case to 223 specs (including a full length size in a 223 die set, and powder appropriate to a 223 round) will it be safe to use in a 223 chamber? Or do I have to use 223 brass only.

I have to imagine it will be, but just want to be sure about that.

 

[hsiddall]

I would also like to know. Ive done it as all my brass tends to be nato (purchased in bulk here and gunbroker etc...) and it has worked safely but IM unsure and honoestly never thought about it like that...

 

[cdrt]

My Speer book says military cases are fine to reload to .223 specs. They just caution about the crimped primer pockets, so you should be good to go.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Yep...they are fine to reload as 223 Rem...just be sure to ream the primer pockets.

 

[strat81]

Yes, 5.56 cases are fine to use in .223.

Different brands of brass have different capacities (and thus will cause different pressures), so when switching cases, it's not a bad idea to re-work a load, especially if you were pushing the envelope to begin with.

Military 5.56 cases usually (but not always) are thicker and have slightly less capacity. They almost always have crimped primers that require swaging or reaming the primer pocket.

That said, LC and WCC military cases are some of the best ones out there. The only military brass I have shunned so far are G and IMG headstamps (Guatemalan surplus). The flash holes are smaller than standard and I don't want to risk a decapping pin. Plenty of other folks reload them, however.

 

[eliphalet]

Been using LC and other military brass in civilian guns, auto's, bolt's, and a single-shot, well over 20 years now, it works fine.

 

[gandog56]

I don't know. I heard the 5.56 has thicker walls and less capacity. That could cause a drastic pressure difference. I don't think I would want to reload near a max .223 load.

 

[strat81]

I don't know. I heard the 5.56 has thicker walls and less capacity. That could cause a drastic pressure difference. I don't think I would want to reload near a max .223 load.

That depends on the brass. Not all brass is the same, mil or commercial. Gather up 10 examples of 10 headstamps, resize them all, trim to length and you'll have 10 different average weights.

5.56 pressures are higher than SAAMI .223 loads. Thicker brass contributes to this, but so does having more powder in the case. Thicker brass also helps keep the case from rupturing in the more generous 5.56 chamber. You should never load near max with any new loads or new components. ALWAYS work loads up.

 

[ocabj]

LC isn't thicker than most commercial brass. You're going to find that a load with LC is going to have the same muzzle velocity / pressure as that same load with Winchester or Remington brass. The only .223 brass I know for a fact is thicker than other brands is Lapua.

 

[frankd4]

556 Brass

556 Brass in 223 is ok when reloading 223 the thing to watch for is Head Space, By a case guage its the best investment you can make.