.223 FL Resizing Problem

[bigdawg86]

Hey guys first off I want to thank anyone in advance for their help!
Ok so long story short, I inherited a TON of RCBS reloading supplies including about 15 dies, a few presses, and about a lifetime supply of brass for various weapons. Being that I am currently building my first AR15, reloading the .223 rounds that I have was of much interest to me. I have set everything up and read the manual for the particular press/die set for the .223 rounds and it seemed straight forward enough (probably my first pitfall).

So here is my problem. I am currently at the stage of resizing my brass. It seems that every few rounds, I would get a small "dimple" or "depression" just below the neck of the round. I know that if any malleable metal is worked too fast, deformities like this are bound to occur. As result, I am having to press the rounds incredibly slow to avoid these defects, even then, a few still occur. Is this normal? I have no problem going slow to achieve a quality product, but I see videos on youtube of people going 20x faster with the resize with no stated problems.

Please help, cause the last thing I want is to have a defective round mess up my brand new rifle!

[adrenalinejunkie]

No idea but I just bought a bunch of reloading supplies for .223 so here's a bump. In for info

[BAGunner]

Don't lube the shoulder. Only lightly lube the neck and body.

[joelogic]

You can lube all of it, you are just using too much lube.

Tell us how you lube your cases.

[bohoki]

what is your lube i got dents when i first started but somehow not any more i lightly lube with vaseline go light on the neck mouth area

[bigdawg86]

Initially I was lubing with the water based stuff that was suggested in the manual. Just for kicks, I started using WD40 and the problem all but went away. I know using a petroleum based lube adds another step (shell decon), but I don't mind unless there is a bonafide reason I shouldn't. I think I just did about 100 rounds with maybe one or two defected casings.

[Na-vah-duh]

A little lube goes a long way. Sounds like you are using to much as previously stated.

Try using less.

[rsrocket1]

Too much lube.
There is usually a vent hole at the shoulder of the die for the air to escape. When it builds up with lube, it will dent the shoulder. Use less lube and make sure it is spread evenly all the way down the case body. No need to lube the shoulder area.

An thin/even film is better than a thick film at the top, the die does not "stretch" the lube down the case as you size it. If you tried it that way, you'd probably end up with a stuck case (I know).

[bigdawg86]

Thanks for the help guys... I guess I should also check to see if the vent hole is patent. The reloading gear I am using probably hasn't been used in about ten years so I wouldn't be surprised if the vent is all gummed up. Also can anyone point me in the right direction for case dimensions? The next step is trimming for me...

[GSwain]

Yes, too much lube as others stated, but also remember that a small dent in the shoulder won't be anything to worry about unless you are running VERY hot loads. That doesn't mean you shouldn't care about the dents, just dont worry too much.

[bigdawg86]

"also remember that a small dent in the shoulder won't be anything to worry about unless you are running VERY hot loads. That doesn't mean you shouldn't care about the dents, just dont worry too much".

Thank's for also addressing if it's ok to use the brass... anything that seem's too dented I will still trash. This is just plinking ammo and my first reloading project so I am sure I'll get better as I continue.

[skibuff]

Here are your dimennisons

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Don't use as much lube if you are using the spray lube let it set up per the instructions.
Some of the older dies didn't have a vent hole. So I would guess if its 10years old it might not

For AR's most trim to 1.75

[r3dn3ck]

as soon as you think you've put enough lube on, you've put 3x as much as you need. I use a couple sprays of dillon lube for 100 7mm mag cases or a couple hundred pistol cases.

[kmullins]

OP,

Get yourself some Imperial Sizing Wax and try that. A can should last for thousands if not tens of thousands of cases.

As others have already hit on, very sparingly lube the outside of the neck, inside of the neck (I use a Q-Tip barely touched with sizing lube) and lube the case body. Only lube the shoulder if your using a spray lube. The reason you can spray the shoulder with the spray lube is because it is compressible while others are not.

[Californio]

Before you do to many cases make sure your AR can take FL Standard Sizing. Most AR reloaders use FL Short Base Dies. Lighten up on the lube, pass on the WD-40.

Hornady One-Shot works real well on clean brass.