Using 5.56 brass to reload .223

[Davey Boy]

I'm sure that the subject has been discussed before, but my searches didn't turn anything up. Not many of my searches do, must be doing something wrong.

I know that 5.56 brass is heavier to withstand the higher pressures of the 5.56, and if you loaded it to .223 data chances are you would destroy your gun and maybe yourself.

But could you use 5.56 brass and load it to lighter loads and use it in the
.223, all the time working up your load and watching for pressure signs.

Is there anyone on the forum that is indeed doing this safely?
Reason I'm asking is that there is tons of 5.56 brass out there compared to the .223 brass.

[colroggal]

Pm leeper. He knows his shistuff. The 5.56 might fit loose in your .223 chamber. But 5.56 chambers tend to be loose to begin with. You will have a slightly reduced case capacity with 5.56 but you shouldn't have any issues loading to .223 specs.

As per usual start 10percent down and work up. Sizing with .223 dies will eliminate outside descrepancies. But check case lengths. I have little or no xp with 5.56 brass.

Yeah, I'm no help

Colin.

[Grizzly Adams]

Good deal on IVI cases in the for sale section.

Grizz

[trooper]

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

I'm sure that the subject has been discussed before, but my searches didn't turn anything up. Not many of my searches do, must be doing something wrong.

I know that 5.56 brass is heavier to withstand the higher pressures of the 5.56, and if you loaded it to .223 data chances are you would destroy your gun and maybe yourself.

But could you use 5.56 brass and load it to lighter loads and use it in the
.223, all the time working up your load and watching for pressure signs.

Is there anyone on the forum that is indeed doing this safely?
Reason I'm asking is that there is tons of 5.56 brass out there compared to the .223 brass.

I use IVI brass and load 10% under max loads with no problems

[trooper]

Even with 10% reduction in powder at max load, I'm getting well over 3100 fps for my loads.

[Davey Boy]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Good deal on IVI cases in the for sale section.

Grizz

Thanks Grizz I saw those, but I have picked up a lot of the 5.56 brass and I already have it so that is why my ?'s

And yes I would probably stay well blow 10% when starting a load development.

Glad to hear that it can be used in a .223 with just experimenting with a lower load than when using .223 brass.

[Robmcleod82]

Ive used lots of it it works fine

[ramonmark]

Ditto. I've loaded probably over 1000 rounds of IVI with benchmark and 52gr HP. It's a tack driving load and never had a problem.

[Davey Boy]

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

[sillyak]

I agree. Done it lots with no issues. Obviously you need to work up a new load. One final thing to keep in mind is you will need a tool to remove the primer crimp from military brass.

[Davey Boy]

Originally Posted by sillyak

I agree. Done it lots with no issues. Obviously you need to work up a new load. One final thing to keep in mind is you will need a tool to remove the primer crimp from military brass.

Not coming across any with crimped primers?

[Davey Boy]

Does anyone have a good picture of crimped primer 5.56 brass, as I can't see the difference using a loupe, between the 5.56 and the .223. The 5.56 brass I have doesn't have 5.56 stamped on them, just some single letters and numbers, unlike the .223 which are all stamped.

[Davey Boy]

Ok I was able to google crimped brass. Now I know what to look for. Will just have to look into getting a tool to take out the crimp.

Again thanks for the info fellas.
Mods you can close this thread if you wish.

[Dewey Cox]

What would be the benefit of closing this thread?

[Davey Boy]

Originally Posted by sillyak

I agree. Done it lots with no issues. Obviously you need to work up a new load. One final thing to keep in mind is you will need a tool to remove the primer crimp from military brass.

Ok now I'm confused. Just finished removing the primer crimp using a Lyman Primer Uniformer tool on about 250 .223 and same number of 5.56.

The 5.56 is the military version of the .223 is it not.

About 1%, if that, of the 5.56 needed the crimp removed. Almost all of the Federal (some others as well) .223 had a crimped in primer.

Thought the .223 were civilian, and yet almost 100% needed the crimp removed.

Anyone else find this?

[sikwhiskey]

Some are crimped, some are glued in. The only difference I have found between 223, and 556 is case capacity and crimped primers. Case capacity is barely enough to worry about, start low and work up. Crimped primers, a bit more time swaging or reaming them out. Dillon makes a decent swaging press.
If you can get a primer in with a hand press, load and go. If not press or tap them out.