Reloading 223/5.56

[freebug]

I just recently started reloading 223/5.56 and 300BLK. This is my second batch.

When I sorted all my brass and measured each one for size after forming and de-prime, I noticed that almost 50% of the brass was 1.755 to 1.758.

Some was even 1.74 - very few like 10 out of 300.

However, the other 50% was 1.76 to 1.768. This is all once fired LC/Federal and some other makes in there as well.

Should I trim down all the 1.76+ stuff down too or can I leave it so long as the OAL is 2.26? After I finish a single round I always case gauge them and my rifles are all 5.56NATO.

Thanks.

[mark501w]

Trim them all, I trim to 1.745 for 3 reloads before the next trimming.

[Colt562]

I agree, trim them all. I usually trim down to 1.750 just because I know there will be variances.

[anyracoon]

I always full length resize and trim all my brass that is going into a semi-auto rifles.

[jameshenry]

My LC has a real slow growth rate. Have not trimed yet at 1.752.light loads of 25.2 gr Of H335 pushing 55 gr VMax bullets for .85" group at 100yd. Probley would get tighter if I trimed all to uniform 1.750. what trimmer you use/want?
I need to get one. Thinking Dillon for my Dillon 650. Have a good 4th.

[freebug]

Hey, thanks for all the great info.

I use a manual trimmer - RCBS Trim Pro.

Thanks for the growth rate. I'm sorting some out to measure exactly how each firing grows the length.

I'm keep a few at 1.76 all the way down to 1.75 and seeing how it impacts OAL and then growth too.