Loading 223/5.56

[adaptoid]

I am having a problem with loading .223/5.56 The problem is the bullet not seating tight in the case neck and I am having to put a excessively tight crimp on the bullet to keep it in place. I am using a R.C.B.S. single stage press with Lee dies. The cases are L.C. and the bullets are 55gr. F.M.J. Winchester. A friend loading a similar load with F.C. Brass and Hornady bullets on a Dillion press with Dillion dies is having the same problem. Is there a trick to getting the bullets to seat right in the .223 I have never had this problem with anything else I have loaded.

Thanks for any info you may have
Dennis

[bruceflinch]

Doesn't sound like the F/L die is set low enough. Does the bottom of the die nearly touch the top of the shellholder?

[adaptoid]

yes i belive so but i will double check and make sure
Dennis

[joelogic]

Something is wrong with the die setup. The bullet should be very difficult to pull out even without a crimp.

[beerjman]

Something is wrong with the die setup. The bullet should be very difficult to pull out even without a crimp.

Could not have said it better .

[adaptoid]

OK checked my dies and there set up right. Remember the problem is with 2 presses a dillion 550 with dillon dies and a rcbs special #5 with lee dies. I actually bought the lee dies to use in the sigle stage press becaus I thought there was a problem with the dillion dies. and also my friend was using federal brass on the dillion and hornaday bullets I was using L.C. brass and winchester bullets on the rcbs press so it seems odd we would have the same problem
the only thing in common was we were both using 55g F.M.J. and I have never had this problem with anything else I have ever loaded and I have loaded lots of stuff.

Dennis

[gunboat]

Mic the expander plugs, mic the bullets -- expander plug shoud be a thou or two smaller than bullet diameter.
my tuppence

[GeoffLinder]

The OD of a .223 bullet is almost exactly .224". If a size die is setup properly it will take case neck ID down to just below .222" when the case neck gets fully pushed up into the die neck.

The expander ball is (supposed to be) .222" in diameter and when pulled back through the case neck it leaves the case mouth ID at just under .222" (brass snapback is what takes it back to under .222"). This provides at least a .002" interference fit on the bullet which is plenty of tension to do the job without any crimp needed.

Try removing the expander ball on your die and measure it's diameter to make sure it is .222".

Also, size a case without the expander ball in the die and check the ID of the case mouth to make sure it is being squeezed down to under .222" If it is not doing so, keep screwing the die down until it does so. Typically most size dies need to make solid contact with the shell plate when the ram is all the way up to get the case squeeze needed. Some dies even need to have some cam-over applied so they heavily push down on the shell plate.

Sounds to me like you just need to keep adjusting the die down until you get the level of squeeze on the case mouth that is needed.

I seriously doubt that name brand .223 bullets are under-sized.

[adaptoid]

The OD of a .223 bullet is almost exactly .224". If a size die is setup properly it will take case neck ID down to just below .222" when the case neck gets fully pushed up into the die neck.

The expander ball is (supposed to be) .222" in diameter and when pulled back through the case neck it leaves the case mouth ID at just under .222" (brass snapback is what takes it back to under .222"). This provides at least a .002" interference fit on the bullet which is plenty of tension to do the job without any crimp needed.

Try removing the expander ball on your die and measure it's diameter to make sure it is .222".

Also, size a case without the expander ball in the die and check the ID of the case mouth to make sure it is being squeezed down to under .222" If it is not doing so, keep screwing the die down until it does so. Typically most size dies need to make solid contact with the shell plate when the ram is all the way up to get the case squeeze needed. Some dies even need to have some cam-over applied so they heavily push down on the shell plate.

Sounds to me like you just need to keep adjusting the die down until you get the level of squeeze on the case mouth that is needed.

I seriously doubt that name brand .223 bullets are under-sized.

Thanks for the info I will pull the expander plug and check it I suppose if its over .222 I can chuck it up in the drill press and use emery paper on it to get it where it needs to be I already have the die touching the shell holder when its all the way up but if need be i will take it tighter. i also considered running the cases through a second time without the expander plug after they were de primed.
Thanks Dennis

[level 10]

i use the rcbs dies set die to touch shell holder then turn in 1/4 turn cam over

[GeoffLinder]

i use the rcbs dies set die to touch shell holder then turn in 1/4 turn cam over

Typically that is just about right for rule of thumb sizing

To set it up accurately though, you need a comparator type gauge like the L.E. Wilson one where you compare a fired unsized case with a sized case to verify there is the right amount of shoulder setback (.0015" to .002").