5.56 brass in a .223 die?

[hoochie]

can 5.56 be run through a .223 resize die and work fine?
buddy has a lot of 5.56 once fired and wants to reload it. should be fine to reload it as .223 right?

 

[Pr589]

It will be fine just check for crimped primer pockets (very likely with 5.56) since these may bend your decapping pin. As you may know, you will have to remove the crimp on the primer pocket before you can seat fresh primers.

 

[supernova]

No, 5.56 brass is completely different and requires special dies
They're completely fine to run through .223 dies, I've reloaded thousands of 5.56 in Lee and RCBS dies.

 

[PitBull1973]

I've reloaded thousands of IVI brass threw 223 dies. Dillon and lee

 

[hoochie]

ok, that's what I thought.
thanks guys

 

[trevj]

I've reloaded thousands of IVI brass threw 223 dies. Dillon and lee

I never had any issues getting primers out either, on somewhere upwards of a thousand or so cases. Still on the same decapping pin.

You will be best off doing a bit of work on the primer pocket edges before trying to install the primers, either ream them, swage them, or otherwise doctor them up. Out of curiosity I tried putting primers in without any other work than simply popping them out, and it was possible...most of the time...sorta. Lets just say, I advise against, unless you have time and some spare primers on yer hands...

I did mine with a small ball end carbide burr, chucked up in my lathe. A drill press would work well too. Just touched each case until the crimp was removed. Been using them since.

Cheers
Trev

 

[Pr589]

On bending decapping pins, I think it depends on your dies. I've bent pins on Hornady and Forster dies but my Lee dies are going strong.

 

[KODIAK BEAR]

Never had any problems with my decapping pins on IVI brass. Once they are out, I use a Dillon Super swage on the pockets and they are good to go. Have fun.

 

[tjhaile]

I use a countersink bit and a drill to remove the crimp.

 

[hoochie]

ive got an RCBS pocket swager and a uniformer on my case prep center.
ran a bunch through, no decapping issues.
62gr are coming out of the Dilon now