Got a few hundred 556 Carts-loading them in 223-Problems?

[gifbohane]

Was at the range yesterday and scored a few hundred 556 from a guy there. Going to load them up as 223. My A/R 15 can chamber either. Any pitfalls I need to be wary of? I searched this site on the topic and found nothing. This has to have come up before.

 

[Ken T]

Primers are probably crimped if it was military ammo.Just ream or swage primer pockets before priming.

 

[Average Joe]

I use them all the time, .223 or 5.56 cases. Just beware that most 5.56 have crimped primer pockets.

 

[jak67429]

Some of the military brass is heavier than commercial, so if you are loading close to max you may want to back off a little. and check the primer pockets to see if they are crimped.

 

[AABEN]

Is you gun marked 223 or 5.56 if it is marked 223 it is best to load by the 223 book the 5.56 is a hotter load some guns is set for only 223 my Wyndham is a 223 VEX-SS so it has a tight throat that makes it more accurate I also have a 5.56 throat and a Wylde witch is a little tighter than the 5.56 it does shoot both 223 & 5.56 very good Good Luck

 

[JimKirk]

I love Lake City 5.56 brass in my DPM S Sweetsixteen ...

Other than having to remove the primer crimp ... they also weigh less and have more internal volume than many .... the ones to watch are the brass from overseas countries ....

Brass Manufacturer Aver. Wt.
(Sample) Extreme
Spread Standard
Deviation
Lapua (new lot) 93.35 (100) 1.2 gr 0.31 gr
Hornady 93.88 (50) 1.7 gr 0.43 gr
Federal 96.28 (50) 2.3gr 0.75 gr
Lake City ’04 92.97 (50) 2.5 gr 0.61 gr
WCC 99 95.5 (20) 2.9 gr 0.74 gr
IMG (Guatemalan) 95.42 (25) 3.1 gr 0.88 gr
PMP 104.4 (50) 3.9 gr 0.93 gr
Radway 96.05 (50) 4.1 gr 0.89 gr
PMC 93.48 (20) 4.6 gr 1.36 gr
Remington 92.33 (50) 4.9 gr 0.85 gr
Winchester 93.91 (44) 6.5 gr 0.96 gr