reloading problem 223 rem into AR-15

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robpad

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In my first batch of 223 rem ammo I reloaded for my Olympic Arms Ar-15 I had problems with the cases. I had used a standard RCBS full lenght sizing die. Out of my batch of 300 rounds I got about 40 rounds that would not completely close the action, thus not work. I pulled some of the bullets off these cases and then ran them through a Small base RCBS sizing die. I compared the before and after using a Lyman case guage. That small base die was enough so that the cartridge would now seat properly.

Anybody else run into this issue?
 
If the brass was not fired from your rifle (ie - range pick up brass), the chamber in your rifle may be tighter than they were originally fired in. There are always manufacturing tolerances. For pick up brass that was not fired in your rifle, always use the small base die.

If all the brass came from your rifle, you may just have to always use a small base die to get it to feed reliably.

Try sizing brass that you know came from your rifle with the RCBS FL sizing die. If it will work in your rifle then you will have to separate brass and always use the small base die for other peoples brass.
 
I use to reload a lotta 223,any case I could find actually.
I used LEE dies and made sure the die was set to full length size and then used a LEE case trimmer to trim them all to length.
Never had a problem and now use the same loaded ammo in a Brno 223 bolt gun
 
zuke said:
I use to reload a lotta 223,any case I could find actually.
I used LEE dies and made sure the die was set to full length size and then used a LEE case trimmer to trim them all to length.
Never had a problem and now use the same loaded ammo in a Brno 223 bolt gun
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What he said....
 
I reload for my Ar-15 using standard lee dies. My ar has a krieger barrel and match chamber, and I've never experienced a problem with chambering my reloads. I resize, then if necessary, trim for length and chamfer before pressing in a bullet. Much of the brass did not originate in my rifle and came from standard carbine ar-15's, yet with full length resizing with standard dies, it chambers perfectly in a match chamber. I'm skeptical of the need for small base dies, or seeing them as the source of your problem.
 
These guys know whereof they speak, so listen carefully. If you don't own a case length gage, get one and use it. 223 tends to stretch using the loads that most of us use. Out of a batch of once fired brass I processed recently, about 2/3s needed to be trimmed. Not trimming when needed can lead to excessive pressures as well as difficulty chambering the overlength rounds.
 
Or, very common, not setting the adjusting the sizing die properly to fully resize the case. RCBS says to raise shellholder, turn die down to touch, lower shellholder, and turn die an additional 1/8th to 1/4 turn, requiring the ram to cam over to fully size the case. Least likely, small base sizing die.
 
robpad said:
In my first batch of 223 rem ammo I reloaded for my Olympic Arms Ar-15 I had problems with the cases. I had used a standard RCBS full lenght sizing die. Out of my batch of 300 rounds I got about 40 rounds that would not completely close the action, thus not work. I pulled some of the bullets off these cases and then ran them through a Small base RCBS sizing die. I compared the before and after using a Lyman case guage. That small base die was enough so that the cartridge would now seat properly.

Anybody else run into this issue?
Click to expand...

Never and I have loaded thousands upon thousands of rounds of 223 for use in an AR15. If your dies are set up properly there should be no need for small base dies. I'd suggest your original headspace setting was too long. Likely the small base die was just set a bit shorter.
 
Suputin said:
Never and I have loaded thousands upon thousands of rounds of 223 for use in an AR15. If your dies are set up properly there should be no need for small base dies. I'd suggest your original headspace setting was too long. Likely the small base die was just set a bit shorter.
Click to expand...

Do you trim all your brass as well??
 
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