Case preparation Suggestion

[insik]

I am collecting items for 223 reloading

I reloaded already for 9mm and 45ACP, and this is what I have so far:

1. Lee Classic Turret
2. Lee Rifle Pacesetter dies
3. H335
4. 224 bullets
5. 223 brass cases
5. Digital Caliper
6. Digital scale
7. Tumbler

This is what I am planning to get, please add what I might be missing

1. Case Trimmer - WFT (Worlds Finest Trimmer)
2. Deburing tool
3. Chamfer tool
4. Wilson Case Gauge for 223

Do you always trim the case for rifle cartridge?
How about the primer pocket? What tool to use for the primer pocket?

thanks.

[DGoodale]

Swaging tool for primer pocket.

I will trim if required for both auto loaders and bolt for uniformity. Typically only my auto loaders will need it.

[Dutch Henry]

You might want to think about a priming tool like those offered by RCBS and Lee.

As for trimming cases: I generally trim after first firing, then only if needed. Hotter loads will tend to stretch cases more than moderate loads.

I would suggest not trimming your cases more than four times.

[insik]

Thank you guys for the suggestions.

[gau17]

Get yourself a Dillon case gauge. This will tell you if your headspace and length are to spec. I believe Wilson makes one too.

Dutch Henry - why not trim cases more than 4 times? Never heard that one before.

[troysland]

Dutch Henry - why not trim cases more than 4 times? Never heard that one before.

Resizing is necessary for auto loading rifle (AR15). Brass expands when firing. You need to bring the mouth size back down to where the projectile will fit snug when reloading. This causes "stretching" of the neck. You then have to trim the case to meet a min-max cartridge length. Do this enough times and the case will stretch to the point of cracking, rupturing, or separation between the neck and body. Pic is not .223, rather 8mm, but the same concept applies. 4 times is about right. Inspection is Paramount.

[gau17]

EDIT: I should say Common causes of

Case split is caused by over sizing the brass (too much headspace). Having a case or a headspace gauge can tell you if you how much you are pushing the shoulder back.

Neck split is caused by overworking the neck. Think of a piece of wire hanger. bend it enough times it will snap off. To prevent neck split you can anneal brass to make them more malleable. Trimming 4 times has nothing to do with it.

[Whiterabbit]

I would suggest not counting the times you trim. if it needs it, trim it. If it splits when firing, throw it away.

If you are getting a ton of splits under few reload cycles, re-evaluate. But no need to go nuts-o with it before you even know if it's needed!

[troysland]

4 times is an arbitrary number. And I don't mean 4 times at one sitting. 4 separate loads. It could be 3, it could be 8. With the very small cost of brass, why would anyone risk a catastrophic failure?

[bcrich]

I agree with gau17, split necks has nothing to do with trimming.

[Quinc]

I have been using a Possum Hollow trimmer (Just like a WFT). Anyway I just tried a Forster lath type trimmer and I wish I would have gotten one instead of the Possum. It's fast and more importantly it is consistent and only takes a second to find the right trim length.

[bcrich]

Quinc do you have the 3 in 1 cutter head on your Forster? Chamfers and deburr at the same time making trimming a whole lot easier!!

[Quinc]

Quinc do you have the 3 in 1 cutter head on your Forster? Chamfers and deburr at the same time making trimming a whole lot easier!!

I do not. I was borrowing a friends. The cool thing was it cut it so clean and square that I didn't need to deburr or chamfer. I am now waiting for them to come back in stock at grafs. Unless anyone has one they want to sell? I also want to get the neck turner for the trimmer.