.223 brass length

Swampman1 · September 5, 2013, 11:00 AM

OK guys, I've found that some of my trimmed brass that I've been reloading ranges anywhere from 1.744-1.755. I know the optimum is around 1.750. What is the shortest recommended length that can be used? I've had some to be around 1.740(haven't used them yet). What length should be discarded?

Ole 5 hole group · September 5, 2013, 12:44 PM

The only concern from a very short necked 223 case is it will have less tension on the bullet due to less contact area.

I don't think you need to discard any 223 cases just for having a shorter neck. I've seen some in the area of 1.735" and they shot into the same group as the 1.755", so just load away.

If you taper crimp - you might want to sort by neck length/OAL for case neck tension consistency.

stnosc · September 5, 2013, 01:09 PM

IAW SAAMI specs, you're good down to 1.730".

http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc...0Remington.pdf

HopeandChange · September 5, 2013, 04:22 PM

What kind of trimmer is giving you that big of a variance?

.003" is where you start to raise an eyebrow.... You're seeing almost 4 times that if I'm reading you right.

Swampman1 · September 5, 2013, 04:25 PM

Well most of that would be considered operator error that came with my first experiences with case trimming.

I've got it down a little better now. The Hornady trimmer actually does a pretty good job.

NWPilgrim · September 5, 2013, 04:43 PM

I have a good amount of cases that are 1.735". Can't remember the headstamp but it was factory new and I shot it so I know it was never trimmed. The short necked cases shoot fine. The only thing is if you use a powder that typically gets compressed, such as Varget, you may run out of case capacity unless you use a drop tube when loading the lighter bullets like 55 gr or less. Most cases are going to be more like 1.740" - 1.765", and standard trim length is 1.750".

chris in va · September 6, 2013, 01:42 PM

Agreed. Thousands of reloads and while I try to cull anything below 1.735 it's never given me a problem. Now if it's above 1.765 I'll trim.

HopeandChange · September 6, 2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

I have a good amount of cases that are 1.735". Can't remember the headstamp but it was factory new and I shot it so I know it was never trimmed.

Likely Federal FC brass. They make that stuff like 1.730" to start with.

Never a problem shooting it here either.

September 5, 2013, 11:00 AM	#1
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	.223 brass length OK guys, I've found that some of my trimmed brass that I've been reloading ranges anywhere from 1.744-1.755. I know the optimum is around 1.750. What is the shortest recommended length that can be used? I've had some to be around 1.740(haven't used them yet). What length should be discarded?

September 5, 2013, 04:43 PM	#6
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I have a good amount of cases that are 1.735". Can't remember the headstamp but it was factory new and I shot it so I know it was never trimmed. The short necked cases shoot fine. The only thing is if you use a powder that typically gets compressed, such as Varget, you may run out of case capacity unless you use a drop tube when loading the lighter bullets like 55 gr or less. Most cases are going to be more like 1.740" - 1.765", and standard trim length is 1.750". __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

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September 5, 2013, 12:44 PM	#2
Ole 5 hole group Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2002 Location: Red River Valley of the North Posts: 203	The only concern from a very short necked 223 case is it will have less tension on the bullet due to less contact area. I don't think you need to discard any 223 cases just for having a shorter neck. I've seen some in the area of 1.735" and they shot into the same group as the 1.755", so just load away. If you taper crimp - you might want to sort by neck length/OAL for case neck tension consistency.

September 5, 2013, 01:09 PM	#3
stnosc Member Join Date: September 13, 2012 Posts: 41	IAW SAAMI specs, you're good down to 1.730". http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc...0Remington.pdf

September 5, 2013, 04:22 PM	#4
HopeandChange Member Join Date: September 4, 2013 Location: AZ Posts: 65	What kind of trimmer is giving you that big of a variance? .003" is where you start to raise an eyebrow.... You're seeing almost 4 times that if I'm reading you right.

September 5, 2013, 04:25 PM	#5
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Well most of that would be considered operator error that came with my first experiences with case trimming. I've got it down a little better now. The Hornady trimmer actually does a pretty good job.

September 6, 2013, 01:42 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Agreed. Thousands of reloads and while I try to cull anything below 1.735 it's never given me a problem. Now if it's above 1.765 I'll trim.