Case length question

viper1216 · January 6, 2007, 12:26 AM

Is it normal to have to resize .223 factory ammo brass after only being fired once. According to my Lee manual Max case length is 1.760. This is according to the Diagram at the beginning of the .223 specs. (I assume that is Max length) The brass that was just fired by me straight out of the box is now measuring 1.765. The ammo is Green box Remington.

Thanks

mrawesome22 · January 6, 2007, 01:12 AM

What does resizing have to do with case length? Did you mean trim. You'll definitly need to resize after firing. Either FL or neck resize. I don't know what the trim length is for .223Rem.

viper1216 · January 6, 2007, 01:18 AM

My appology's. I meant trimming. Do you need to trim the brass to the length in the book. Or is this done in one of the dies?

mrawesome22 · January 6, 2007, 01:55 AM

You trim cases with a case trimmer. I recommend a Lee Cutter and Lock Stud. Fast and easy to use. Cheap too. Sounds like you need to read that manual again before you get started reloading. I wouldn't want you to get hurt.

viper1216 · January 6, 2007, 02:10 AM

I have the trimmer and case die and cutter and all that stuff. I have already trimmed down 100 rounds already, my question is if it's normal that they have to be trimmed after the first shot?

stinger · January 6, 2007, 02:36 AM

I don't know if I would call it normal or not, but it is, however, not unheard of, and pretty common.

After resizing, check case length and trim if necessary.

mrawesome22 · January 6, 2007, 02:55 AM

The book should have a MAX case length, and a trim to length. For instance. The .22-250Rem trim to length is 1.902". Max case length is 1.912". When I buy 100 new brass I will trim them all to 1.902". After FL sizing, your brass will become longer. Once it gets to 1.912", it will be time to trim again. I shoot a bolt gun and use Lee Collet Dies, so my brass hardly "grows" at all. Yet another advantage the collet die has. Hope that explained it for ya. Good luck.

viper1216 · January 6, 2007, 10:11 AM

Yup...you answered just what I was looking for. Thanks!!!!!!

rwilson452 · January 6, 2007, 02:50 PM

I'm an accuracy nut I trim all my rifle stuff every time. I use the Lee trimmer and a cordless drill. I do it to ensure the case mouth is square. Don't forget to chamfer the neck inside and out after trimming.

castnblast · January 6, 2007, 03:38 PM

2+ to Wilson and Awesome... That sums it up...

viper1216 · January 6, 2007, 04:08 PM

I use the lee trimmer with the .223 guage on it. I have a Zip Trim...works pretty decent, but I also have the fitting to attch it to my drill if I chose too. I also have the little chamfer tool for inside and out. So it's a pretty good idea to trim the case with the guage everytime huh.....I don't see it as a big deal doing it, just want to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Thanks
Dave

castnblast · January 6, 2007, 10:16 PM

I trim every time for consistancy. That way all my rounds are gripping the bullet w/ the same amount of tension. The neat thing about the lee is you can't screw the cases up. I love mine. I got the zip trim, but never used it. I prefer the drill. Just make sure your case length gage is twisted in all the way everytime.

mrawesome22 · January 7, 2007, 04:36 AM

No problem. Glad to help.

January 6, 2007, 12:26 AM	#1
viper1216 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Rhode ISland Posts: 73	Case length question Is it normal to have to resize .223 factory ammo brass after only being fired once. According to my Lee manual Max case length is 1.760. This is according to the Diagram at the beginning of the .223 specs. (I assume that is Max length) The brass that was just fired by me straight out of the box is now measuring 1.765. The ammo is Green box Remington. Thanks

January 6, 2007, 02:50 PM	#9
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,276	trimming I'm an accuracy nut I trim all my rifle stuff every time. I use the Lee trimmer and a cordless drill. I do it to ensure the case mouth is square. Don't forget to chamfer the neck inside and out after trimming.

January 6, 2007, 03:38 PM	#10
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,143	2+ to Wilson and Awesome... That sums it up... __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

January 6, 2007, 10:16 PM	#12
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,143	I trim every time for consistancy. That way all my rounds are gripping the bullet w/ the same amount of tension. The neat thing about the lee is you can't screw the cases up. I love mine. I got the zip trim, but never used it. I prefer the drill. Just make sure your case length gage is twisted in all the way everytime. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

January 6, 2007, 01:12 AM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	What does resizing have to do with case length? Did you mean trim. You'll definitly need to resize after firing. Either FL or neck resize. I don't know what the trim length is for .223Rem.

January 6, 2007, 01:18 AM	#3
viper1216 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Rhode ISland Posts: 73	My appology's. I meant trimming. Do you need to trim the brass to the length in the book. Or is this done in one of the dies?

January 6, 2007, 01:55 AM	#4
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	You trim cases with a case trimmer. I recommend a Lee Cutter and Lock Stud. Fast and easy to use. Cheap too. Sounds like you need to read that manual again before you get started reloading. I wouldn't want you to get hurt.

January 6, 2007, 02:10 AM	#5
viper1216 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Rhode ISland Posts: 73	I have the trimmer and case die and cutter and all that stuff. I have already trimmed down 100 rounds already, my question is if it's normal that they have to be trimmed after the first shot?

January 6, 2007, 02:36 AM	#6
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 773	I don't know if I would call it normal or not, but it is, however, not unheard of, and pretty common. After resizing, check case length and trim if necessary.

January 6, 2007, 02:55 AM	#7
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	The book should have a MAX case length, and a trim to length. For instance. The .22-250Rem trim to length is 1.902". Max case length is 1.912". When I buy 100 new brass I will trim them all to 1.902". After FL sizing, your brass will become longer. Once it gets to 1.912", it will be time to trim again. I shoot a bolt gun and use Lee Collet Dies, so my brass hardly "grows" at all. Yet another advantage the collet die has. Hope that explained it for ya. Good luck.

January 6, 2007, 10:11 AM	#8
viper1216 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Rhode ISland Posts: 73	Yup...you answered just what I was looking for. Thanks!!!!!!

January 6, 2007, 04:08 PM	#11
viper1216 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Rhode ISland Posts: 73	I use the lee trimmer with the .223 guage on it. I have a Zip Trim...works pretty decent, but I also have the fitting to attch it to my drill if I chose too. I also have the little chamfer tool for inside and out. So it's a pretty good idea to trim the case with the guage everytime huh.....I don't see it as a big deal doing it, just want to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. Thanks Dave

January 7, 2007, 04:36 AM	#13
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	No problem. Glad to help.