Newbie Question … Oversized Brass, How to Fix?

[RevKeith]

I’ve gotten more consistent with sizing my brass (223REM), usually in the .002-.004 range. My question is what can I do to my brass that I oversized (.005-.007), any way to size it back? Can I load it and shoot it? What’s the best way to deal with the oversized brass? Thanks,

Keith

 

[Straightshooter1]

I’ve gotten more consistent with sizing my brass (223REM), usually in the .002-.004 range. My question is what can I do to my brass that I oversized (.005-.007), any way to size it back? Can I load it and shoot it? What’s the best way to deal with the oversized brass? Thanks,

Keith

Yes, load them and shoot them.

 

[FeMan]

Finding some way to limit case stretch at the rear of the case such as a solid jam of the bullet into the lands or a false shoulder at the base of the neck to chamber against. The false shoulder is a better solution but there may not be enough neck available for that with fully formed brass. 2 to 4 thousandths isn't too bad. At 7 thousandths you are stretching the case body a good amount. Once isn't the end of the brass but a few like that and you could end up with incipient head separation.

 

[K22]

Can you chamber them without forcing the bolt closed?

I had some Hornady 223 Rem cases that were oversize. I F/L them with a .002 bump and they chambered without issue. I carefully monitored subsequent case head expansion and sizing's to not oversize them yet permit proper chambering. Eventually they settled into a consistent size.

 

[divingin]

Finding some way to limit case stretch at the rear of the case such as a solid jam of the bullet into the lands or a false shoulder at the base of the neck to chamber against. The false shoulder is a better solution but there may not be enough neck available for that with fully formed brass.

Going to be tough to get a false shoulder on brass that is already overly sized (it's doable, but not without a lot of manipulation.)

I'd just load with a jam, and blow the shoulders forward. Alternatively, load it normally, monitor for incipient case head separation and call it a learning experience.

 

[FeMan]

Going to be tough to get a false shoulder on brass that is already overly sized (it's doable, but not without a lot of manipulation.)

I'd just load with a jam, and blow the shoulders forward. Alternatively, load it normally, monitor for incipient case head separation and call it a learning experience.

Unless I am reading this totally wrong, the brass isnt "over size", it is "over-sized". i.e. the shoulder is bumped back too far.

 

[lefty222]

Going to be tough to get a false shoulder on brass that is already overly sized (it's doable, but not without a lot of manipulation.)

I'd just load with a jam, and blow the shoulders forward. Alternatively, load it normally, monitor for incipient case head separation and call it a learning experience.

Or this could also happen, happened to me last week l over sized bumped the should back .010 to .015 l checked with shoulder gauge and said to myself it will fire form to the chamber it did and l got a two peace case back l pulled the heads and power and trashed the cases. This was not old brass second firing.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Or this could also happen, happened to me last week l over sized bumped the should back .010 to .015 l checked with shoulder gauge and said to myself it will fire form to the chamber it did and l got a two peace case back l pulled the heads and power and trashed the cases. This was not old brass second firing.
View attachment 1683966

.010 to .015" is huge and a lot different than .005 to .007". That latter will likely have a shorter life span than what one might normally expect, but will likely last longer than what .010 to .015 does to a case that's work hardened like that.

If the norm is .002 to .004. . .we're only talking about an .003 more and "if" annealing is part of the process, a one time .003 more shouldn't be a big deal. Though it's always good practice to check and keep an eye out for signs for pending separation after each sizing.

 

[RevKeith]

.010 to .015" is huge and a lot different than .005 to .007". That latter will likely have a shorter life span than what one might normally expect, but will likely last longer than what .010 to .015 does to a case that's work hardened like that.

If the norm is .002 to .004. . .we're only talking about an .003 more and "if" annealing is part of the process, a one time .003 more shouldn't be a big deal. Though it's always good practice to check and keep an eye out for signs for pending separation after each sizing.

Yes, I do anneal after each firing.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Assuming that you don't have too many of them, I'd load with a moderate load and jam the bullets as stated above. Just use this ammo for barrel fouling after a thorough cleaning.

 

[bozo699]

Yes, I do anneal after each firing.

RevKeith,
I probably would just load and shoot them but if your trying to preserve the brass run a 6mm mandrel in it , use a neck die
“One of the only uses for one”
And size your neck for a crush fit on your newly made false shoulder and you will be fine to anneal and f/l size as usual after firing them. Best of luck
Wayne

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If it's range brass or other lower value brass, load and shoot. Throw away if you start seeing or feeling the classic case separation groove.

 

[divingin]

Unless I am reading this totally wrong, the brass isnt "over size", it is "over-sized". i.e. the shoulder is bumped back too far.

That's what I was referring to. The brass is already too short at the shoulder and the neck is already sized. Unless you expand the neck through the neck-shoulder junction and resize, you won't get a false shoulder.