Converting 556/223 brass?

Discussion about rifles in 300 AAC BLACKOUT (7.62x35mm), hosted by the creator of the cartridge.

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kogashuko
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Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by kogashuko »

I have seen links to this in the past as well as a youtube video which shows the dillon trimmer used to fast shorten brass. That seems like a very messy approach that involves a lot of wear on the motor trimming that much. Does anyone know of a setup that might be just as fast short of sliding them all through a band saw (also the $250 price tag on a small motor with die adapter is a bit steep.) I was all ready to go with whisper a few years back but didnt because of the problems mentioned by rsilvers. That and the lack of cheap brass. I can get 556/223 brass anywhere fairly cheap still. I am also setup to cast some lead 220gr bullets. I know they lead the barrel and gas system but I dont mind taking things apart every several thousand round to clean them.
I8asquirrel
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by I8asquirrel »

I use a mini chopsaw from harbor frieght. I have a 308 case mounted in the jaws that I use as a dead stop to cut cases just behind the shoulder, I then deburr them run them through my size die. and trim to final length and chamfer deburr once more. Its not as fast a blue machine but you only have to do it once per case. I have made 1000 rounds +/- this way. :D
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300Blk
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by 300Blk »

Just buy the 123 grain ammo. Shoot it. Now you have brass.
I8asquirrel
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by I8asquirrel »

Thas an option but when i already have dies and loads of 5.56 brass.. i like to convert a good deal of it rather than pay $.63 a round....Not saying I am not going to stock up when I finally see some factory ammo. but I like messing around in my shop reloading. :wink:
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Dr.Phil
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by Dr.Phil »

I'm using 10 round stripper clips and a ban saw.
Put the empties in the clips, setup a guide on the ban saw and have at it.
I cut them just bellow the shoulder, run it through the FL die and then trim.

Since brass and loaded ammo are vaporware at the moment, using 5.56 brass is the only logical way for me to go.
(Having a limitless supply of 5.56 brass doesn't hurt either.)
"Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly,
don't tell them where they know the fish."
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300Blk
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by 300Blk »

We shipped subsonic ammo today.

As for brass... not just yet.

As for making it, I never went the 223 route. I bought 221 Fireball brass as I did not want to deal with shortening cases.
dpkdavis
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by dpkdavis »

I'm the guy on youtube trimming the 300 whisper brass with the dillon setup, all you have to do is run the brass into a 300 blackout die
I8asquirrel
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by I8asquirrel »

I was having a fail rate of about 30% forming 221 brass / and its way more $. 5.56 is cheap in Oregon.
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300Blk
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by 300Blk »

I had a failure rate of about 1% with 221 brass.
kogashuko
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Re: Converting 556/223 brass?

Post by kogashuko »

Dpkdavis, that hasnt fed the motor on that thing up yet? That is a lot of trimming?

Also how complex is that little motor? Could i just get a 110~120v motor and mount the same cutting tool to it?
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