.223 case length question

[sjg1966]

Howdy folks...

I'm a new reloader and I just want to check on something. I was doing some case preppring tonight at work. Measured a bunch of cases and trimmed the ones that needed to 1.76"

I found a few that were 1.73" and I want to know if it is safe to use those?

If I understand correctly I do NOT want to be using cases that are > 1.76", correct?

Thanks for your help....Steve

[the86d]

1.76" is what my case gauge says for max length.

I have trimmed just shorter than that, and had the same issue.

The consensus is that if you trim them too short (not a whole LOT), you will just have issues with accuracy. I didn't have any issues with those rounds, but I am not a competition shooter, as long as it is in the black 8" @100yd (with my 20" AR and a cheap scope), I call that good enough for 2 legged predators. Maybe some day I will worry about more accuracy than that, but for now...

[Hoop]

I trim to 1750, 173 is below the 1740 minimum spec I've seen in reloading books. You could probably get away with it but 223 brass is cheap so I'd just toss it.

[bruceflinch]

I trim mine initially to 1.74. Never trim again.

[lpspinner]

According to the SAAMI's drawing, .223 Remington is 1.730"min to 1.760"max.

[sjg1966]

Thanks guys....I'll set them aside for now or just toss them....Steve

[Californio]

Thanks guys....I'll set them aside for now or just toss them....Steve

If its good brass, sell it to a 300 AAC BLK user for reloading. Don't just throw it away. 300 BLK is formed by cutting off that part of the case.