223 brass resizing - huh?

[nevada]

Wierd thing. I was trimming my .223 brass and running it through my RCBS X-die, resizing and de-priming it. I checked the cases in a case guage and decided to try some unsized cases in the case guage. Darned if they didn't fit perfectly, even a bit looser than the resized brass. I could just neck size my brass and go from there. All my 223 brass has been from field pickups, probably from ARs. Has anyone noticed this with their 223 brass?

[Geilt]

Fired brass more or less forms to the chamber it was fired from. Being that you have been working with range pick ups you have no way of knowing if it was trimmed too short, too long, if it was shot from a loose chamber or tight.

You were on the right track. Check each for damage, deprime, clean, full length or small base sizing, measure, trim if needed. Be sure to check the primer pocket size and the necks for splits. I have the RCBS Case Master rig so I'm able to check a few more measurements but its doing nothing more than a good micrometer couldn't do also.

[nevada]

I thought the cases would be too big to fit in the case guage, is all. It seems the rifles they came out of all have tight chambers since the cases have all fit in the guage. All are being trimmed and full length resized. After this initial trim I won't have to trim again as long as I use the x-die, which keeps the cases at a set length. So far none have been too long, but some are too short. Thanks, Geilt.

[nevada]

Rats. Busted a decapping pin on a berdan primed case. Evidently I have S & B in berdan and boxer. Onward.

[HirosStorageUnit]

damn I just finished the basic size and trim of over 6 k of brass. I have to remove the crimps from 4k of them.

Damn that is a bit much.

[bullseye]

damn I just finished the basic size and trim of over 6 k of brass. I have to remove the crimps from 4k of them.

Damn that is a bit much.


I have lots of free time on my hands and a case trimmer...... :icon_biggrin: for a percentage I could be bribed into helping. :)