.223/5.56 in AR Platform

[lazyMlazyK]

About a year ago, I picked up a Little Crow case trimmer in .223. Having thought I set it up exactly how I needed it, I chucked it up in my mini lathe, turned down the speed, and got busy trimming brass. For some reason or another I trimmed this batch of 50 pieces to 1.735". Got back in the house, check the reloading book again, and it says max trim length is 1.750, or 1.760 (can't remember right now off the top of my head).

How short is "TOO short" when it comes to trimming brass for an AR? I have an inkling it'll be fine to reload and shoot, but I'm also about to work on load development. If I work up a good load with this short brass, will I notice a big change with brass that's trimmed 0.015" longer? Note, I'm only concerned for about MOA accuracy out to 300 yards, so I'm not getting TOO picky, but even better would be a sweet bonus. Think they'll grow pretty quick? I'm not all that familiar with .223 yet.

 

[tsyarnall]

I don’t know about better, but you’ll be fine.

 

[jr600yd]

Shoot ‘em

 

[GLShooter]

They will work fine. As to growth they probably won't reach 1.750 any time soon unless you are shooting them a bunch. As long as you have enough bullet seating depth into the neck you probably would never notice the difference. The decreased length may be enough to limit some of the lighter bullets.

Greg

 

[C.E.Smith043]

You will be fine. Just make sure you have enough bullet down in the brass.

 

[Hoser]

Lots of FC stamped brass runs about 1.735-740 out of the box...

Your good.

 

[MGYSGT]

Just a hint. Before using the WBT full length resize you brass. It uses the shoulder to cut to length, so make sure they are all the same. Short brass is good, long brass is bad. I normally cut my brass to 1.750 as max is 1.760. I never worry about short brass. Oh and I don't crimp either. Not enough recoil to worry about it.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

A while back I trimmed some 222 brass too far. Still using them.

 

[joshb]

Resize all your brass then trim. Check the first case you trim and adjust, if necessary!
Nuff said.

 

[searcher]

Accuracy won't be affected, but take a bit more care cleaning carbon out of the throat. Due to setting the shoulders back .003" (or more) in an A/R, case stretch will get you back to your optimum trim length in several firings.