Sellier & Bellot .223 case volume

ligonierbill · March 2, 2014, 11:56 AM

I was loading some 5.56x45 this morning, 55 grain Sierra HPBT over IMR-4895 (we use what we have these days). That powder fills the case pretty well, but I hit two (mixed brass) that flat overflowed. Headstamped S&B, Sellier & Bellot I presume. Everything else was fine. All were sized in a RCBS .223/5.56 die. Anyone else had this experience, and are there any other headstamps I should watch for?

FrankenMauser · March 2, 2014, 05:04 PM

I've never let S&B rifle brass get far enough into the reloading process to display case capacity differences. ....Because it goes straight into the recycling bin.

I've had enough issues with S&B rifle brass in enough other cartridges, that I don't even give it a second look any more. When I see the head stamp, I toss it. Sure, it's better than reloading steel cases; but not by much.

ligonierbill · March 2, 2014, 06:27 PM

I think I'll do the same from now on.

March 2, 2014, 11:56 AM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,647	Sellier & Bellot .223 case volume I was loading some 5.56x45 this morning, 55 grain Sierra HPBT over IMR-4895 (we use what we have these days). That powder fills the case pretty well, but I hit two (mixed brass) that flat overflowed. Headstamped S&B, Sellier & Bellot I presume. Everything else was fine. All were sized in a RCBS .223/5.56 die. Anyone else had this experience, and are there any other headstamps I should watch for?

March 2, 2014, 05:04 PM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,775	I've never let S&B rifle brass get far enough into the reloading process to display case capacity differences. ....Because it goes straight into the recycling bin. I've had enough issues with S&B rifle brass in enough other cartridges, that I don't even give it a second look any more. When I see the head stamp, I toss it. Sure, it's better than reloading steel cases; but not by much. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

March 2, 2014, 06:27 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,647	I think I'll do the same from now on.