Making .300 blk from .223

[sasquatch98226]

Can someone point me in the right direction for the equipment needed to convert .223 to .300 blackout. I have the case trimmer on my 650, and extra toolheads, but what do you guys use to trim the case down to just over the proper length before final trimming and sizing?

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Go to Harbor Freight and get one of the mini chop saws. Ithas a 2" metal blade. Get a few extra blades while you are at it.
You have to fenagle around a bit to get the right spot to cut for the least trimming. Once you get the right length to chop, make a little stop block to put the case against. You want to set it up so you chop, size, and then final trim ultimately needing only a square up cut with teh trimmer.

That is how its done. Chop. Size. Trim. Simple as pie.

 

[thespecialist]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Like armor said, but with a small change. There's a guy over on 300blktalk.com that makes a caseholder specifically for the HF mini chop saw that makes cutting the cases easy as pie. Once you set it up, it's much faster than anything else I've tried and much more consistent as well. Keeps your booger hooks away from the blade as well.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thespecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like armor said, but with a small change. There's a guy over on 300blktalk.com that makes a caseholder specifically for the HF mini chop saw that makes cutting the cases easy as pie. Once you set it up, it's much faster than anything else I've tried and much more consistent as well. Keeps your booger hooks away from the blade as well. </div></div>

Thanks for that info. I will have to look into that!

 

[sasquatch98226]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Is there a link to the .300black forum page for that item?

 

[Iamironman]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqXKqm56_og"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqXKqm56_og" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[sunburned]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Link to tool/thread. Mine works as advertised

http://www.300blktalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=80842

 

[dang472]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

When this thread started, I honestly thought you guys were bullshitting about a saw and setting this thread up for epic responses. I can't believe there is a mini circular saw for brass.

 

[hammerhead77]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Done over 1000rds using saw. Just let saw cool down between cutting. I cut about 50pcs then do some thing else for 15 minutes. The saw heats up pretty quick and you don't want to burn up the motor. I also use the Worlds Fasted Trimmer to trim cases to final spec.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dang472</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When this thread started, I honestly thought you guys were bullshitting about a saw and setting this thread up for epic responses. I can't believe there is a mini circular saw for brass. </div></div>

Many people when the Whisper came out were cutting them with a Dremel. I cut a few with a Dremel, its like pulling your teeth with a pair of 420 Channel-Loc pliers. It didn't take me long to look for a better mouse trap. That little saw is the shit! Don't forget to buy extra blades, they don't stay sharp forever. I am gonna try annealing first next time I need to cut a batch. I think it may help.

 

[sasquatch98226]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

doesn't annealing make the brass harder, thus putting more wear on the saw?

Also:
Thanks for the link sunburn.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sasquatch98226</div><div class="ubbcode-body">doesn't annealing make the brass harder, thus putting more wear on the saw?

Also:
Thanks for the link sunburn. </div></div>

No brass hardens by working (sizing, firing). Annealing softens brass. Too much annealing(too hot) makes it dead soft essentially ruining it.

Heating and quenching steel makes it hard as long as it is done correctly. After hardening steel, reheating it to a certain temp softens(tempers) it.

Whether its brass or steel critical temps are needed for certain stages of hardening, tempering, annealing etc.

If you want to soften tool steel you need to heat to critical temp for the particular steel, usually some where around 1500 and then pack in preheated wood ashes so it can slowly come down in temp, making it soft(relatively).

I am just a hobby knifemaker so I know just enough to be dangerous or make a really nice knife.

 

[AnthonyL]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Another vote for the Harbor Freight mini shop saw. It makes a pretty good mess and the necks go flying so I mounted mine inside a cardboard box from a flat of shotshells.

Here is the process I follow now with freshly tumbled .223 brass:

1. Mini-saw chop brass to approx 1.8" (just below .223 shoulder)
2. Chamfer/debur
3. Full length size w/ expander ball and decap pin
4. Trim case to final length of 1.358"
5. Chamfer/debur
6. Primer
7. Powder charge
8. Seat bullet
9. Lee factory bullet crimp

 

[chipdog4]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

If you have a drill press, the best way to trim the neck off is with the Forster Power Case Trimmer. You set the trim length with the drill stop.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/721759/forster-power-case-trimmer

I saw a youtube video of it once and it was amazing. I can trim down a 223 case to rough length in seconds.
Then I size and trim to final length on a Giraud.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Tag for later.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chipdog4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you have a drill press, the best way to trim the neck off is with the Forster Power Case Trimmer. You set the trim length with the drill stop.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/721759/forster-power-case-trimmer

I saw a youtube video of it once and it was amazing. I can trim down a 223 case to rough length in seconds.
Then I size and trim to final length on a Giraud. </div></div>

Been there, done that, seen the video.
It isn't faster. Not possible.
The tooling on that Forester will not hold up to that kind of abuse for too long, Buy plenty of cutting heads if you plan to do this.

Did you watch the video, or have you actually done this with a Forrester drill press trimmer. You need to rewrite your post cause from where I am sitting, you sound as if you haven't done it but you have it all figured out.

The Forrester drill press trimmer is a fantastic tool, don't get me wrong.

 

[chipdog4]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Hmm, ok.
Yes, I use the Forster.
So the wear item wears, who would have thought.

You keep using your little saw and I'll keep doing it my way...

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Forster Trimmer(drill press type) $65
Forster Trimmer head $17 (steel)

Mini Chop Saw $33
Blades 3/$10


As I said I have done it. Leaves one hell of a burr on the case. Saw leaves light burr. Still have to size, still have to final trim in either method.
If I had a Giraud trimmer I would't care about a nasty burr on the case mouth maybe. In my trials the burr had to be removed before proper sizing due to the expander button.

Do it either way I don't care, but having done both, the saw is less trouble and it is cheaper.

 

[cwinston]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

I use a Redding Trim Die and RCBS Extended Shell Holder in my single stage press.

One swipe with a fine tooth hacksaw lops off the top and it's all set for the Dillon trimmer.

It's very fast.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Curious, can a Giraud be used to trim the whole way? Im guessing you probably still have to shorten it first then final trim with the Giraud.

 

[athhud]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

I simply clamp a large case of some sort (anything bigger than 5.56 case)in the Harbor Freight chop saw vise to act as a stop. The cuts aren't square and aren't a consistent length, but that is what the CTS trimmer is for.... I've yet to see anyone on youtube cutting brass faster than I do.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

I bet I'm as fast....

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Thanks for posting that KE, that shit right there is genius^^^^

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

No problem. I could probably do 100 cases in under 5 min. There's a hole in the end of the channel for the case neck to fall thru. Really just cut and slide.

 

[hammerhead77]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

That is a great idea, thanks for sharing!

 

[MLC]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

Uh, not to sound like a troglodyte but we've used a pipe cutter then sized and trimmed and it worked well.

 

[athhud]

Re: Making .300 blk from .223

I like the shit out of that setup KE! How many rounds have you put through that saw? I haven't really tried to improve my speed. I feel like the saw is getting pushed pretty hard as it is....