.223 Die question

[LorenaF]

This may be a really dumb question...
Can I use a .223 die on a 5.56 case? The reason I ask is I have a box of mixed brass and am not sure which is which and just wanted to know if it will reload like .223

 

[BirdEyes]

Re: .223 Die question

Yes you can. You should check your trim lengths if you do. The case capacities of mixed brass will be somewhat different as well depending on manufacturer.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

so really for accuracy I would deffinitely want matching brass.. right?

 

[Infidel]

Re: .223 Die question

Right. It might be a little safer, too, considering that different case capacities loaded with the same charge will generate different pressures.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

I think i will sort them then. so is there a difference in the case measurments?

 

[BirdEyes]

Re: .223 Die question

You'll be more likely to find differences in case thickness rather than outside dimensions.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

yes the 556 would be thicker than the 223 if I understand correctly

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: .223 Die question

Loren,

You may also note that the 5.56 military brass has the edge of the primer pocket swaged to crimp the primer in place. They take a dim view of primers falling out and jamming their rifles in the heat of battle. The crimp makes depriming a little harder but no big deal. The big deal is in inserting the new primer.

Sometimes the primer slips right in, but sometimes the edge catches and it goes in sideways. Then you eiher have to chunk that peice of brass or knock out a live primer. Be careful with primers because they can hurt you much worse than you might think.

Be sure to cut or swage out the military crimp and never force a priming tool.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

Seems like a lot of trouble to go through to get a primer to stay in place. Why couldn't they just use some red locktite?

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: .223 Die question

Now that is a good question. A lot of times there is a red ring from some kind of liquid around the military primers. They may have the same at the junction of the neck and bullet. I am given to understand it is some type of varnish to ensure the cartridges are fully waterproof. Maybe the primer junction isn't airtight enough for Loctite to fully cure. It is anaerobic and will not cure in the presence of oxygen.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

I have also seen something called Copperlock. It is usd to join plumbing copper, it is air and watertight, needs no air to cure and looks red just like locktite. Maybe this is what they are using.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

so this is what a primer pocket swage is used for? it's one of those things with the rod on it?

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OlTexasBoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Loren,

You may also note that the 5.56 military brass has the edge of the primer pocket swaged to crimp the primer in place. They take a dim view of primers falling out and jamming their rifles in the heat of battle. The crimp makes depriming a little harder but no big deal. The big deal is in inserting the new primer.

Sometimes the primer slips right in, but sometimes the edge catches and it goes in sideways. Then you eiher have to chunk that peice of brass or knock out a live primer. Be careful with primers because they can hurt you much worse than you might think.

Be sure to cut or swage out the military crimp and never force a priming tool. </div></div>

What would happen if a primer went off close by?? it wouldn't take off a finger or the likes would it??

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: .223 Die question

I suppose it could take off a finger, but you would have to be right on it. When I was in college an idiot at one of the fraternity houses loaded up a bunch of "blanks" using just primers. He shot one of his "brothers" in the stomach. The guy was messed up pretty bad with a hole in his gut and bad burns. He was in the hospital for several days. By the way I never joined a fraternity and had no psrt in it.

Anyway, when you start reloading pop a few primers to see what they are like. It is about like a firecracker with little chunks of shrapnel. I always wear my safety glasses when priming because I figure so long as it doesn't hit your eye a primer going off will just be a little pain with no permanent damage. As long as you do nothing stupid then the chance of one going off is very very small. Of course there is still a chance and there is also the issue that smart people sometimes do stupid things.

 

[devildogandboy]

Re: .223 Die question

Lorena, i wouldn't say you would lose a finger but maybe get a bit of metal shard in you if not careful! when i was new to reloading i would test the primers just for the heck of it with an hammer and all that ever happened was a loud pop like "cap guns" would make. i wouldn't recommend trying this as it could be dangerous!!!! ESPECIALLY AROUND POWDER!!!!!!
take care and be safe.

 

[BirdEyes]

Re: .223 Die question

I've seen some impressive damage done when primers went off on a progressive press to the extent of ceiling damage and press damage...at least to the primer system. With the leverage of a press, it is harder to tell if excessive force is applied and you have to stay attuned to what you are doing for seating consistency. This is why some will swear by hand seating primers.

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: .223 Die question

It is definately more than a cap gun cap. It may not be quite up to a good Black Cat (if they still make them), but I would rate it up to a lady finger firecracker. To my mind though the greater danger is the shrapnel. Hot metal flying is a lot rougher than paper. It is enough to be respected, but not so much to be feared---unless your eyes get in the way.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BirdEyes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've seen some impressive damage done when primers went off on a progressive press to the extent of ceiling damage and press damage...at least to the primer system. With the leverage of a press, it is harder to tell if excessive force is applied and you have to stay attuned to what you are doing for seating consistency. This is why some will swear by hand seating primers. </div></div>

That's good I went with a nice RCBS universal hand primer, at least I hope it will be nice.lol I have heard of people doing that "blank" load. Putting in a primer and seating a bullet with no charge. Even heard it will cycle some semi actions. I have popped a few off with just the primer after pulling the bullet and dumping the powder and it does sound like a cap gun.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

I have also heard about mass detonations of a large deposit in one location just going off, has anyne had this happen?

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: .223 Die question

In my experience, a primer without powder is just enough to lodge a 9mm bullet half way down the barrel. It did not cycle the action of a SIG P225. That is a potentially dangerous situation since if another live round is fired behind it, the consequence is catastrophic. Since then i added a die to my progressive loader that gives a positive indication of the powder dropped.

The probability of spontaneous ignition of primers is too remote to mention. However, they are not like smokeless powder which just burns if uncontained. They are actually explosive. A fire or accident that crushes a container of primers can set them off in a chain reaction so I wouldn't keep more than a few thousand in one place.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

oh I am very aware of what energetic materials can do. I have seen "certain individuals" mixing up flash powder with potassium chlorate and mirconized aluminium powder and the results are ridiculous. Even a few grams in a small pile uncontained is enough to blow fingers off.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .223 Die question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LorenaF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have also heard about mass detonations of a large deposit in one location just going off, has anyne had this happen? </div></div>

Yup! Had a tray of 100 go off. I have the scars on the back of my left hand, 6 stitches worth, where the priming tool tray exploded.

My own damn fault too.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: .223 Die question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LorenaF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have also heard about mass detonations of a large deposit in one location just going off, has anyne had this happen? </div></div>

Yup! Had a tray of 100 go off. I have the scars on the back of my left hand, 6 stitches worth, where the priming tool tray exploded.

My own damn fault too. </div></div>

Might I ask how you accomplished that?