Reloading issue

[onanymonday]

I'm reloading .223 cases and .556 cases to fire .223 loads. I ordered 22 cal bullets 55 gr .224 dia. I pressed in the bullets in the .556 cases with no problem. However the bullets fall through the .223 cases or have no interference. I measured the .223 cases and they are .22+ or about .01+ over the .556 cases. What's going on? Suggestions!

[AeroEngi]

First of all, welcome to Calguns.

It sounds like you haven't properly resized the .223 cases. Did you set up your resizing die per the manufacturer's instructions? There's no way those cases can stay that big after they've been resized.

[John Galt]

Please explain what type of case re-sizing dies you are using. Did you prep the brass the same? What bullets? Did you measure them? 5.56 case walls can be thicker than .223 which can cause more expansion when they are fired.

[ironhorse1]

We need to know the brand of bullets that you ordered. Are they boat tail or flat base?

One problem that I have encountered with some bullets is loss of case neck tension due to the ogive.

What happens is if the bullet is seated deep enough to where the curved part/ogive enters the neck the bullet is not tight. The solution was to find an OAL where the straight shank of the bullet and not the curved part was held by the neck. There was only 10,000 of an inch difference in length between tight and loose.

Take your calipers and place a bullet length wise into the jaws. You will clearly see where the bullet curves. Mark where the curve starts and seat the bullet no lower than that point.

Check it out and see if that is the problem. Also check your expander ball. I believe it should be .222".

irh

[cpatbay]

As mentioned, 223 or 556 cases doesn't matter. They work just fine for .224 bullets as long as the cases are resized properly. I have done thousands of 223 and 556 cases. Never a problem like that.

[jj805]

I'm reloading .223 cases and .556 cases to fire .223 loads. I ordered 22 cal bullets 55 gr .224 dia. I pressed in the bullets in the .556 cases with no problem. However the bullets fall through the .223 cases or have no interference. I measured the .223 cases and they are .22+ or about .01+ over the .556 cases. What's going on? Suggestions!

First, welcome to Calguns. As for your issue, What dies are you using? I am willing to bet you are using Lee, or Dillon dies. This is a common issue with those dies. I would measure your expander ball to see if it is over sized. If you are using Lee dies and your expander ball is oversized, you can put your expander ball in a drill and polish it down to the correct size with a fine sand paper or crocus cloth. If you are using Dillon dies, I am not sure what the fix is because the expander ball is carbide. I would call Dillon customer service if you are using their dies.

[Fjold]

First, welcome to Calguns. As for your issue, What dies are you using? I am willing to bet you are using Lee, or Dillon dies. This is a common issue with those dies. I would measure your expander ball to see if it is over sized. If you are using Lee dies and your expander ball is oversized, you can put your expander ball in a drill and polish it down to the correct size with a fine sand paper or crocus cloth. If you are using Dillon dies, I am not sure what the fix is because the expander ball is carbide. I would call Dillon customer service if you are using their dies.

Correct answer.

[chknlyps2]

First, welcome to Calguns. As for your issue, What dies are you using? I am willing to bet you are using Lee, or Dillon dies. This is a common issue with those dies. I would measure your expander ball to see if it is over sized. If you are using Lee dies and your expander ball is oversized, you can put your expander ball in a drill and polish it down to the correct size with a fine sand paper or crocus cloth. If you are using Dillon dies, I am not sure what the fix is because the expander ball is carbide. I would call Dillon customer service if you are using their dies.

Bumslie's Lee expander was huge, just over .224 and you could just push the bullets all the way in past the neck with your fingers after being sized. I chucked it in BigBroncos drill press and sanded it down to .222 pretty quick. A cordless drill will work good too.

[BigBronco]

Great call JJ.

[ShadowX]

Is it a full length case resizer or neck sizer? The first time I reloaded, I had a neck sizer and the bushing was not the correct diameter for the thickness of the case. You need to measure the ID of the case after you resize and compare it to the bullet size.

[sksman777]

If you are using a neck sizer you might also not be applying enough pressure to size the neck. Lee recommends about 25lbs of pressure. The first time I reloaded rifle I had the same problem you have to press down on that sucka!

[M27]

is it new brass? Did you resize it?

if your answers go yes then no, there is your problem

[jj805]

Bumslie's Lee expander was huge, just over .224 and you could just push the bullets all the way in past the neck with your fingers after being sized. I chucked it in BigBroncos drill press and sanded it down to .222 pretty quick. A cordless drill will work good too.

My Lee expander ball was .2235" and you could push the bullets straight through the neck with your fingers as well. 30 seconds in a cordless drill and some crocus cloth later, it was .2215" It works great now.

[firemanjoe]

Might need to modify your die or maybe try a different die.