billybob44
Contributing Member
I am trying to buy some .222Rem. brass. I am told that .223 Military brass can be sized/formed to .222 Rem. dimensions?? Will that work+how is it done?? Thanks Bill..
Re-size .223 brass to .222 Rem.??
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James2
Member
Run them into a 222 full length sizer. You would need to trim them to 1.700
I have never tried that, but it may work. The dimensions at the base are the same.
I have never tried that, but it may work. The dimensions at the base are the same.
Blackrock
Member
I have done it and it is a hard squeeze. Be careful, lube well and then trim to length. I will recomend Reddings die wax for the lube. Hornady one shot not too good.
billybob44
Contributing Member
Did 10 cases this AM.==What a PITA! Have to trim a lot also. Will stick to buying .222 ready made brass. BUT--It can be done....HA Bill...
I have the capability to form 221 Remington Fireball from 223/222 Remington cases. More drastic than going from 223 Rem to 222 Rem but the process is similar.
I bought the reforming dies when it looked like 221 Remington was becoming obsolete, which fortunately is not happening currently. It is easier to buy than to form but it is nice to have the capability.
Here are a couple of suggestions though.
A trim die makes trimming quicker and easier than using a rotary trimmer. Raise the case into the die and use a hack saw and file to cut off the excess. The trim die is hardened to resist cutting from the file.
You may need to trim the necks a little since the cases shoulder is being pushed back. This is not as drastic as with 221 Rem. If the neck is too thick, it can cause trouble with chambering and raise chamber pressures.
I bought the reforming dies when it looked like 221 Remington was becoming obsolete, which fortunately is not happening currently. It is easier to buy than to form but it is nice to have the capability.
Here are a couple of suggestions though.
A trim die makes trimming quicker and easier than using a rotary trimmer. Raise the case into the die and use a hack saw and file to cut off the excess. The trim die is hardened to resist cutting from the file.
You may need to trim the necks a little since the cases shoulder is being pushed back. This is not as drastic as with 221 Rem. If the neck is too thick, it can cause trouble with chambering and raise chamber pressures.
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Carl N. Brown
Member
.222 Remington was lengthened to make .222 Remington Magnum, then .223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO), so .223 Remington to .222 Remington is a viable resize and trim option.
I was also told that .223 to 7.63 Mauser pistol was a viable resize, expand and trim option too, but if .223 to .222 is that much work, I'll stick to using 7.62x25 brass to make rounds for my mauser.
It is nice though to know there are options if .222 remington or 7.63 mauser brass is not available.
I was also told that .223 to 7.63 Mauser pistol was a viable resize, expand and trim option too, but if .223 to .222 is that much work, I'll stick to using 7.62x25 brass to make rounds for my mauser.
It is nice though to know there are options if .222 remington or 7.63 mauser brass is not available.
mbopp
Member
For case trimming I replaced the handle screw on my RCBS trimmer with a hex head screw and left the handle off. I then use a nut driver in my cordless drill to power it. It beats hand cranking it when forming 357 Herrett brass from 30-30 cases.
The .222 Mag was considered for the military, but they choose to shorten it slightly as well as add more taper which helps in semi/full auto fire. The new .223 case had 5% less capacity than the .222 mag, but was loaded slightly hotter, which made it the ballistic equivalent of the .222 Mag. Once the .223 was adopted, then cases became available as cheap military once fired, and when it proved accurate, it killed the .222 Mag off.
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