Under-sized (under length) range pick-up brass

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys, hoping to get some opinions on this. I rarely ask a question on here without running the question through Google a few times...but the answers area all over the place. Here we go..

Got into reloading almost a year ago, with my Savage Precision 10 .223 being the recipient of the home-grown ammo. Did the load development, have it shooting great, eating/re-using my Hornady once-fired brass. Most OF my brass is consumed with the fruits of my spring/bad-weather reloading for that gun, all is good. I ended-up buying an XCR-L (.223 semi) recently with realistic accuracy expectations, but even though I hunt with it...it does consume more brass..launches it and even if recovered, it's rarely in the condition it needs to be for re-use. So, I've sourced some range pick-up brass, cleaned and de-primed. Started really sorting it last night and it's about 2/3 Winchester, and 1/3 mixed stuff that is all shorter than 1.75". Some is as short as 1.723", most about 1.73". I think I know the answer to this question (=don't use it) but how might using this shorter brass effect the accuracy and, is there a cut-off point/length you would NOT use? Got a great deal on it from a CGN member on it (thanks!) and am open to buying new brass in the future...just not available locally.

If you've read this far, I'll throw another question your way. The XCR is a 1:9" twist and not surprising, likes 55-60gr. bullets. As a varmint hunter, I like the effects/accuracy of the Hornady V-Max stuff, but I've noticed on live rounds I've ejected that the tip is slightly deformed. Could be from the bolt's travel back dinging the top round in the mag, or during the feeding into the chamber...not sure. For this reason, I tried some Sierra Matchkings (69gr.) but the rifle doesn't shoot them well. Anybody here reloading for an XCR in .223, and is there a good/accurate/non-ballistic tip VARMINT bullet in the 55-60gr. out there I should be trying?

Thanks for taking a moment to reply.

 

[yomomma]

there are some factory loads which are shorter then the TTL of 1.75

Important thing is to keep the OAL in spec.

 

[Ganderite]

A short case does not matter. A too long case is a safety issue.

A dinged tip has almost no effect on accuracy.

The 69 gr should shoot very well. Try several different powder charges.

For varmint accuracy, I have found the Sierra 60 gr HP has been outstanding in ALL the rifles I have tested it in.

 

[mmattockx]

I ended-up buying an XCR-L (.223 semi) recently with realistic accuracy expectations, but even though I hunt with it...it does consume more brass..launches it and even if recovered, it's rarely in the condition it needs to be for re-use.

Unless your XCR beats the brass up worse than any semi I have owned, the vast majority of that brass will be just fine to reload. Small dents and dings are no issue and will be ironed out the next time that case is shot.


Mark

 

[supernova]

Keep in mind if you're FL sizing your brass will stretch. Trim after sizing and most of your short brass will be gtg, I rarely find one too short after sizing. Unless you're roll crimping then its not an issue.

 

[bigedp51]

I have three five gallon buckets of once fired range pickup brass from our SWAT and Tactical local police units practicing, trim your brass to minimum length and don't worry about the short cases in a semi-auto. I have two AR15 and a .223 bolt action, I weigh and cherry pick the best brass for the bolt action and the rest is used in the AR15s

As long as you are using range pickup brass, they will not be from the same lot number and weigh the same, the internal volume of the cases will cause velocity variations much greater than a short neck and bullet tension.

If you would have a custom rifle and Lapua brass from the same lot number and had a few short necks it would matter if you were trying to shoot bug hole groups.


Below, case weight and "average" case capacity, you can see below Winchester has the widest case weight variation and would have the "most" internal volume variations. This would cause greater chamber pressure fluctuations and effect velocity and accuracy. Bottom line, a short neck on a standard commercial hunting rifle means very little if anything.





NOTE: At 63 years of age and having chronologically gifted eyesight plus drinking too much coffee my family decided in a zombie attack I would lay down suppressive fire with my mixed brass while the younger and better shots will shoot the zombies in the head with Lapua ammo.

Below range pickup mixed brass zombie humor.