non crimped 223 or 5.56 ?

rebs · March 21, 2016, 12:14 PM

Do you guys know who makes 223 or 5.56 without the crimped in primers ?

Red_Eagle · March 21, 2016, 01:45 PM

The only 223/5.56mm with crimped primers is military and some european brands.

**Unclenick** · March 21, 2016, 02:53 PM

They've been reported in some commercial brass. But you can avoid them by looking at the cartridges before you buy them. Crimps will either be staked or there will be a recessed ring pressed into the brass around the primer. Look at some military cases to see what these look like. Also, if you are mainly going to reload, just buy brass that's unprimed new brass. It never has crimps, not even when it is military, because you can't apply the crimp before the primer is seated.

Economist · March 21, 2016, 03:39 PM

PMC (X-tac was the product line I think), American Eagle AR 5.56, and Wolf Gold most definitely do have crimped primer pockets. This I know from personal experience.

**Unclenick** · March 21, 2016, 03:48 PM

That's a good reminder. Anything that calls itself 5.56 rather than 223 is likely to be crimped.

chris in va · March 21, 2016, 04:22 PM

It's easy enough to buzz off the crimp.

Jimro · March 21, 2016, 05:17 PM

Most of the 5.56 surplus brass sellers will decrimp the brass for a very reasonable processing fee.

After doing the chamfer crimp removal route, paying twenty bucks per thousand is a dang good buy in my opinion.

Jimro

rebs · March 21, 2016, 06:07 PM

How do you buzz off the crimp ?

RickD1225 · March 21, 2016, 07:24 PM

Both of those indicators that Uncle Nick posted along with the annealing marks make separating 223 from 556 brass easy. I sort before I tumble so I can pick up on the annealing mark (at least that is what I think the discoloration is from). Obviously the 556 requires the extra crimp removal process before reloading. I just sorted about 600 cases this weekend after shooting with a buddy, all his were 556 loads and mine were all 223. I did get all of his brass since he doesn't reload. That may change after I told him how much my cartridges cost vs. his 556 even with the great deal he got on the 556.

Tsquared · March 21, 2016, 08:36 PM

I am currently case prepping my 223 cases for a "reload afternoon" in a few weeks. The last of it is a mix of mil and civilian brass. I am hitting every case with a pocket reamer to get rid of any crimp. It is also kind of easy to spot - they are the annealed cases for the most part.

Uncle Chan · March 22, 2016, 12:13 AM

I don't crimp mine. Could never get the Lee FCD to work without crushing my cases. Come to find out, they don't need to be crimped. Same for my 9mm. No crimp unless it goes into my revolvers or lever actions.

emcon5 · March 22, 2016, 12:20 AM

Quote:

I don't crimp mine. Could never get the Lee FCD to work without crushing my cases. Come to find out, they don't need to be crimped. Same for my 9mm. No crimp unless it goes into my revolvers or lever actions.

You know how we know you didn't read anything but the title?

You get all your news from just the headlines, don't you?

Uncle Chan · March 22, 2016, 12:49 AM

Guilty as charged.

T. O'Heir · March 22, 2016, 01:39 PM

"...How do you buzz off the crimp?..." Make a sound like a bee while turning the chamfering or swaging tool. snicker.
The rich guys with power tools put those into hand drills. Hand drills buzz by themselves. HAHAHAHA.

Jim243 · March 22, 2016, 10:35 PM

Mine makes more of a ratchet sound than a buzz.

Stay safe.
Jim

oldmanFCSA · March 22, 2016, 11:05 PM

I purchased about 5k of LC brass that had never been loaded and thus no crimp. I try to keep this separate from the rest of my mil cases by loading only one type of projectile and policing my brass.

wpsdlrg · March 23, 2016, 09:27 PM

Federal is now crimping their .223 primers. There may be others - so it is not just done with military loads. I've found crimped primers in a wide variety of brass, albeit MOST of that was 5.56 (military or foreign) stuf - but definitely not all.

I think it would be smart for everyone who reloads .223/ 5.56 to add a primer pocket crimp cutter to his/ her loading equipment. I did.....and I couldn't get by without one now.

rebs · March 24, 2016, 06:39 AM

Quote:

I purchased about 5k of LC brass that had never been loaded and thus no crimp. I try to keep this separate from the rest of my mil cases by loading only one type of projectile and policing my brass.

If I may ask where did you buy the brass ? I would order 1000.

SARuger · March 24, 2016, 07:01 AM

I use the primer pocket cleaner/crimp removers made by Hornady, works like a charm and cheap.

Hornady primer pocket tool

I use them on all of my brass whether it has the crimp or not, makes primer install much easier. It creates a slight chamfer at the pocket opening

Just about all .223 range brass needs to be reamed. I seldom find any of the non crimped at the private range I belong to.

**Unclenick** · March 24, 2016, 08:44 AM

Rebs,

I, too, bought a bunch a number of years ago when Natchez had the large 2000 piece bags available. They still have them in 250 ct. bags, but at almost twice the price per case. They are made by Federal to military specs (not soft like their commercial brass).

rebs · March 24, 2016, 01:24 PM

Thank you unclenick.
I have tried the rcbs swagger II, the countersink and just about everything else and still have cases that will not take a primer. I am just not getting the swage right

March 21, 2016, 12:14 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	non crimped 223 or 5.56 ? Do you guys know who makes 223 or 5.56 without the crimped in primers ?

March 21, 2016, 01:45 PM	#2
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	The only 223/5.56mm with crimped primers is military and some european brands. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

March 21, 2016, 02:53 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	They've been reported in some commercial brass. But you can avoid them by looking at the cartridges before you buy them. Crimps will either be staked or there will be a recessed ring pressed into the brass around the primer. Look at some military cases to see what these look like. Also, if you are mainly going to reload, just buy brass that's unprimed new brass. It never has crimps, not even when it is military, because you can't apply the crimp before the primer is seated. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 21, 2016, 03:48 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	That's a good reminder. Anything that calls itself 5.56 rather than 223 is likely to be crimped. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 21, 2016, 05:17 PM	#7
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Most of the 5.56 surplus brass sellers will decrimp the brass for a very reasonable processing fee. After doing the chamfer crimp removal route, paying twenty bucks per thousand is a dang good buy in my opinion. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

March 21, 2016, 03:39 PM	#4
Economist Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 163	PMC (X-tac was the product line I think), American Eagle AR 5.56, and Wolf Gold most definitely do have crimped primer pockets. This I know from personal experience.

March 21, 2016, 04:22 PM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	It's easy enough to buzz off the crimp.

March 21, 2016, 06:07 PM	#8
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	How do you buzz off the crimp ?

March 21, 2016, 07:24 PM	#9
RickD1225 Member Join Date: November 29, 2015 Posts: 77	Both of those indicators that Uncle Nick posted along with the annealing marks make separating 223 from 556 brass easy. I sort before I tumble so I can pick up on the annealing mark (at least that is what I think the discoloration is from). Obviously the 556 requires the extra crimp removal process before reloading. I just sorted about 600 cases this weekend after shooting with a buddy, all his were 556 loads and mine were all 223. I did get all of his brass since he doesn't reload. That may change after I told him how much my cartridges cost vs. his 556 even with the great deal he got on the 556.

March 21, 2016, 08:36 PM	#10
Tsquared Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2016 Location: NE Atlanta Posts: 337	I am currently case prepping my 223 cases for a "reload afternoon" in a few weeks. The last of it is a mix of mil and civilian brass. I am hitting every case with a pocket reamer to get rid of any crimp. It is also kind of easy to spot - they are the annealed cases for the most part.

March 22, 2016, 12:13 AM	#11
Uncle Chan Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 40	I don't crimp mine. Could never get the Lee FCD to work without crushing my cases. Come to find out, they don't need to be crimped. Same for my 9mm. No crimp unless it goes into my revolvers or lever actions.

March 22, 2016, 12:49 AM	#13
Uncle Chan Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 40	Guilty as charged.

March 22, 2016, 01:39 PM	#14
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...How do you buzz off the crimp?..." Make a sound like a bee while turning the chamfering or swaging tool. snicker. The rich guys with power tools put those into hand drills. Hand drills buzz by themselves. HAHAHAHA. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

March 22, 2016, 10:35 PM	#15
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Mine makes more of a ratchet sound than a buzz. Stay safe. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

March 22, 2016, 11:05 PM	#16
oldmanFCSA Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 283	I purchased about 5k of LC brass that had never been loaded and thus no crimp. I try to keep this separate from the rest of my mil cases by loading only one type of projectile and policing my brass. __________________ OldmanFCSA = "Oldman" at www.fcsa.org FCSA Member, SCSA Member, NRA Member, & AMA Member "Oldage & Treachery will overcome Youth & Skill"

March 23, 2016, 09:27 PM	#17
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	Federal is now crimping their .223 primers. There may be others - so it is not just done with military loads. I've found crimped primers in a wide variety of brass, albeit MOST of that was 5.56 (military or foreign) stuf - but definitely not all. I think it would be smart for everyone who reloads .223/ 5.56 to add a primer pocket crimp cutter to his/ her loading equipment. I did.....and I couldn't get by without one now.

March 24, 2016, 07:01 AM	#19
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I use the primer pocket cleaner/crimp removers made by Hornady, works like a charm and cheap. Hornady primer pocket tool I use them on all of my brass whether it has the crimp or not, makes primer install much easier. It creates a slight chamfer at the pocket opening Just about all .223 range brass needs to be reamed. I seldom find any of the non crimped at the private range I belong to.

March 24, 2016, 08:44 AM	#20
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Rebs, I, too, bought a bunch a number of years ago when Natchez had the large 2000 piece bags available. They still have them in 250 ct. bags, but at almost twice the price per case. They are made by Federal to military specs (not soft like their commercial brass). __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 24, 2016, 01:24 PM	#21
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you unclenick. I have tried the rcbs swagger II, the countersink and just about everything else and still have cases that will not take a primer. I am just not getting the swage right