223 AI Question

thebees · May 8, 2010, 11:21 PM

Anyone have any info on fireforming 223 AI cases. Like heavy bullet/light bullet, heavy load/light load, and slow powder/fast powder.
Rifle is a Rem 700 heavy varminter. I have fired factory Hornady 55 gr. and got nice looking results but I want to form a bunch of Lake City brass I have.
Thanks

freakshow10mm · May 9, 2010, 10:59 AM

I just load a standard .223 Rem load and fire away.

**Unclenick** · May 9, 2010, 01:18 PM

You might want to read:

M.L. McPherson; Fireforming, It Ain't All That Simple; Precision Shooting, Feb. 1998; pp. 29-35.

Absent fancy methods of fireforming, I like to use light loads to fireform. If you can keep the pressure down under about 25,000 psi, the cases will tend to push back against the boltface and blow the shoulder forward. This is as opposed to firing at higher pressures that stick the brass to the chamber wall so the head stretches back, thinning the pressure ring. If your cases are once-fired, I would anneal the necks and shoulders before proceeding. You then likely already have a pressure ring started, but I still see no value in making it worse.

Try a 50 grain bullet with about 6.5 grains of Trail Boss or Bullseye. Even if the shoulder doesn't come out 100% sharp, it will be close enough to start load development. with. If you then are careful not to push shoulders back more than a thousandth or two during future reszing, you probably won't have to worry about pressure rings and casehead separations in the future.

Loader9 · May 9, 2010, 06:43 PM

I'm from the old school where you only size about 1/16" of the neck and use the longest bullet possible. Seat the bullet out as far as possible and let the lands and grooves seat the bullet when chambering the round. That pushes the case head back against the bolt and holds it there. I use a fairly light load of a fast burning powder like SR4759 to fireform.

May 8, 2010, 11:21 PM	#1
thebees Junior Member Join Date: August 11, 2006 Location: Just outside Dallas Posts: 11	223 AI Question Anyone have any info on fireforming 223 AI cases. Like heavy bullet/light bullet, heavy load/light load, and slow powder/fast powder. Rifle is a Rem 700 heavy varminter. I have fired factory Hornady 55 gr. and got nice looking results but I want to form a bunch of Lake City brass I have. Thanks

May 9, 2010, 01:18 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You might want to read: M.L. McPherson; Fireforming, It Ain't All That Simple; Precision Shooting, Feb. 1998; pp. 29-35. Absent fancy methods of fireforming, I like to use light loads to fireform. If you can keep the pressure down under about 25,000 psi, the cases will tend to push back against the boltface and blow the shoulder forward. This is as opposed to firing at higher pressures that stick the brass to the chamber wall so the head stretches back, thinning the pressure ring. If your cases are once-fired, I would anneal the necks and shoulders before proceeding. You then likely already have a pressure ring started, but I still see no value in making it worse. Try a 50 grain bullet with about 6.5 grains of Trail Boss or Bullseye. Even if the shoulder doesn't come out 100% sharp, it will be close enough to start load development. with. If you then are careful not to push shoulders back more than a thousandth or two during future reszing, you probably won't have to worry about pressure rings and casehead separations in the future. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 9, 2010, 10:59 AM	#2
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	I just load a standard .223 Rem load and fire away.

May 9, 2010, 06:43 PM	#4
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I'm from the old school where you only size about 1/16" of the neck and use the longest bullet possible. Seat the bullet out as far as possible and let the lands and grooves seat the bullet when chambering the round. That pushes the case head back against the bolt and holds it there. I use a fairly light load of a fast burning powder like SR4759 to fireform.