Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

[GE-Minigun]

A friend’s father recently passed and I now have a few thousand loaded 223 rounds that I need to shorten. I trust his reloads with my life as he taught me how to load. With that said all of his ammo was for his bolt gun and I’ll be using it in an AR, as a result they won’t fit into the magazine. All ammo is 55 FMJ with a slight crimp at the cannelure. Can these be shortened without taking them apart? Thanks for the help.

 

[B y r o n]

Re: Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

Something doesn't seem right regarding your problem. The cannelure is set in a bullet so you can crimp in it and still fit in a magazine. Are you sure the brass isn't too long and that is what is making it too long?

 

[arnie19]

Re: Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

I would take a couple apart and see if every thing is to spec .If you try to seat a crimped bullet down more i think you will bulge the mouth of the case but its worth a try .Arnie

 

[GE-Minigun]

Re: Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B y r o n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Something doesn't seem right regarding your problem. The cannelure is set in a bullet so you can crimp in it and still fit in a magazine. Are you sure the brass isn't too long and that is what is making it too long? </div></div>

No I'm not. With that said...by looking at some loose bullets, the loads I have look to be loaded at the bottom of the cannelure. In other words most of the cannelure is above the casing.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

only thing i can offer is:

1. check the OAL on the ammo as it is, he may have them bumped up on the lands of the particular chamber / rifle he was loading for, and not fitting the AR mags.

2. then take apart. check the brass length and WEIGH the head. it's possible the head is heavier, and the brass / neck length is longer to fit his bolt gun chamber, which may have an issue or two. if you can, chamber a round or two in the bolt gun in question to see if you have to force it in.

comes down to OAL, most likely the brass is too long to spec, and the edge of the cannelure crimp is making it "stick out" more and not fitting the AR magazine.

i wouldn't go forcing a deeper seating, you can buldge the neck or the shoulder or loosen up the crimp - not favorable in a semi.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Shorten loaded 223 ammo?

should be 2.260 OAL, 1.760 (or close) case length