I've reloaded handgun ammo for a few years now and I just recently started reloading rifle rounds. Did my first 1K rounds and have a question. I've tried searching, but the new forum search is returning too many results.
I was able to load the first 1K using all PMC brass, mostly once fired. However, I'm a brass rat and grab everything I can at the range. I have a few hundred rounds where the head stamp does not indicate any caliber all. I'm sure it 223, but want to make sure. How do you verify that it is in fact 223 if the head stamp doesn't specify? Do you just measure length/diameter and use it if it's in range?
I have a couple that are stamped as 5.56. Can I reload those using the same recipe I do for 223 and fire them? Or does 5.56 brass need some special processing.
I've run into some that have the military crimp. As suggested online, I've tried a couple of methods to remove the crimp. I chucked a primer cleaner into my drill and rotated it around a bit at high speed. I've also used a deburring tool to try to ream out the primer pocket. I've had limited success using these methods, maybe 30%. Any secrets here or should I just go see Andrew at ProFire to buy a primer pocket ream tool?
Thanks in advance.
HD
I was able to load the first 1K using all PMC brass, mostly once fired. However, I'm a brass rat and grab everything I can at the range. I have a few hundred rounds where the head stamp does not indicate any caliber all. I'm sure it 223, but want to make sure. How do you verify that it is in fact 223 if the head stamp doesn't specify? Do you just measure length/diameter and use it if it's in range?
I have a couple that are stamped as 5.56. Can I reload those using the same recipe I do for 223 and fire them? Or does 5.56 brass need some special processing.
I've run into some that have the military crimp. As suggested online, I've tried a couple of methods to remove the crimp. I chucked a primer cleaner into my drill and rotated it around a bit at high speed. I've also used a deburring tool to try to ream out the primer pocket. I've had limited success using these methods, maybe 30%. Any secrets here or should I just go see Andrew at ProFire to buy a primer pocket ream tool?
Thanks in advance.
HD