223 brass

[captn-tin]

just picked up my new mini14, and want to start reloading for it. any one type of brass any better than the others? i used to use federal alot, but can't seem to locate any of that.
also being that i have a fair amount of mil brass what would be the best tool for opening up the primer pockets? thanks in advance...captn-tin

[Gio]

Anything is good to start off with unless you are going for precision. I use RP, FC, Win, WCC, PMC, LC, and or anything that is brass and will hold up to being fired a few times. As far as primer crimps you can have your brass sent out to be processed or get a trimmer and swager for the primer pocket crimp. I do not have the patience to sit and trim and de-swage my brass so I pay a friend to do it for me. Take care and happy reloading,

-Gio

[captn-tin]

Gio... thanks 4 the info. a friend o mine called just minutes ago said he uses the rcbs primer pocket swaging tool. he said it is probably the most boring part of the reloading process, but he seems to get more reloads out of the LC brass than any other he has tried. maybe i'll walk that trail and see.

[ar15barrels]

Get a countersink and put it in a cordless drill.
It only takes a couple spins to cut away the crimped area.

The RCBS swager sucks.
If you have a lot of brass to do, look at the Dillon Super Swager.
It's expensive, but it has a LOT more leverage than a reloading press.

[Mastersid]

LC is good if you have the time to remove the crimp. Remember to download slightly for military cases as they have less capacity.
I like Winchester Commercial. Holds up for many reloadings in an AR. Have had problems with loose primers on Federal after a few firings.
I get 6-10 reloadings from Winchester cases before I see a split neck. Then I use for practice another time and toss the lot. Accuracy is as good as anything else in my estimation.
Happy reloading!

[ar15barrels]

Remember to download slightly for military cases as they have less capacity.

This does not apply to 5.56 brass.
There's actually more commercial 223 brass that's thicker than military 5.56 brass than there is the other way.

In 308/7.62x51 and 30-06, that general rule does apply though.

[Texas Boy]

I'll 2nd what Randall said about the RCBS swager. I've used one on a single stage press and still had lots of primers that wouldn't go in.

[freonr22]

I agree on the countersink from Randalls Idea, mentioned it more than once, set your drill press on lowest speed. also for economy, get a possom hoolow trimmer setup for same drill press or borrow a friends press and only handle the brass 1x w/ 2 presses. the possum hollow setup is like $30 the countersink get @ lowes hd etc maybe $4-$9 maybe 3/8-5/8"

[ireload]

Be careful with using countersink when removing primer crimp. You can remove too much brass material when not careful. Also if the brass is not centered, the countersink can cut off centered.

With the RCBS swager you have to sort the brass according to brand. So each brand may have different setting. Once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze.

[Gio]

Be careful with using countersink when removing primer crimp. You can remove too much brass material when not careful. Also if the brass is not centered, the countersink can cut off centered.

With the RCBS swager you have to sort the brass according to brand. So each brand may have different setting. Once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze.

But the Dillon Super Swager is so much easier to use and for the price it is not too bad considering you will spend $300 or so for a good trimmer what is another $100 or so for a swager? Offer to process brass for others and make some money back Okay maybe not unless you have a good setup to do it with.

-Gio

[jmabbott888]

I use the crimp remover made by Lyman that goes on their trimmer, works great for 308 & 223, obviously with different cutters.

[fairfaxjim]

just picked up my new mini14, and want to start reloading for it. any one type of brass any better than the others? i used to use federal alot, but can't seem to locate any of that.
also being that i have a fair amount of mil brass what would be the best tool for opening up the primer pockets? thanks in advance...captn-tin

I haven't found the Mini-14 to be very fussy about brass - it dings it up pretty good when ejecting it. Reloading for accuracy with a Mini-14 is not a fruitful endeavor either. I don't get very anal about my realoads for my Mini.