fire forming

[rebs]

when you shoot a factory loaded 223 in your rifle doesn't it get fire formed?
I mean what happens when you shoot factory ammo and then use it for reloads?

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

It will be closer to your chamber than before firing. Depending on several things it can take a couple firings to fully fireform to your chamber. Depending on application, fireforming may not be needed at all. At the extreme accuracy end, most will start load development after the first firing.

Frank

 

[762plinker]

bolt gun. single or mag fed ?
gas gun as in an ar platform ??

 

[Jayplace]

when you shoot a factory loaded 223 in your rifle doesn't it get fire formed?
I mean what happens when you shoot factory ammo and then use it for reloads?

To answer your question; yes it gets fireformed.

Fireform is somewhat of a general description of what happens when a brass cartridge is fired and then expands taking the shape of the chamber it's fired in.

In general reloading, that cartridge will be reformed (compressed) back to a similar size as the factory ammo.

A lot of what we see written about by many shooters is modifying the process or the results to something less than the total resizing. This allows a cartridge to remain closer in size to the chamber it was fired in and generally better shooting results.

 

[JMayo]

Yep, reload them gtg

 

[mikecr]

Look closely to be sure the factory ammo is not disposable.
Some should not be reloaded,, that was not it's business purpose.

I've seen some factory ammo that I would be nervous to fire a first time.
Visible case cracks from the factory.
Some factory ammo is loaded very hot

 

[RegionRat]

when you shoot a factory loaded 223 in your rifle doesn't it get fire formed?
I mean what happens when you shoot factory ammo and then use it for reloads?

Yes, factory ammo fire forms. All ammo fire forms due to the pressure exceeding the yield strength of the brass.
Yes, you can use once fired factory brass for reloads as well as virgin brass.

There is little difference in starting with once fired factory ammo, versus starting with virgin brass, but if we zoom way down there are some potential small differences.

Was your question must based on having a problem with starting from virgin or factory ammo?

 

[Bill K]

Yes it will form to the given chamber of the rifle. It if is a standard 223 Rem it will form to that. If it is a 223 AI, it will form to that, with the new shoulder expansion, if your talking about a A.I. chamber.

when you shoot a factory loaded 223 in your rifle doesn't it get fire formed?
I mean what happens when you shoot factory ammo and then use it for reform.

 

[rebs]

Yes, factory ammo fire forms. All ammo fire forms due to the pressure exceeding the yield strength of the brass.
Yes, you can use once fired factory brass for reloads as well as virgin brass.

There is little difference in starting with once fired factory ammo, versus starting with virgin brass, but if we zoom way down there are some potential small differences.

Was your question must based on having a problem with starting from virgin or factory ammo?

I am not having any problem other than not completely understanding fireforming.

 

[RegionRat]

I am not having any problem other than not completely understanding fireforming.

If your issue is sizing your brass and getting your loaded ammo to run or getting your fired case to eject, then the forum can help. Those are basic issues with shooting and making ammo.

If your issue is understanding work hardening of cartridge brass and how much stress/strain you have from working or firing, then it takes a lot longer to explain because of the background and concepts required to start the explanation...

ETA: @rebs narrow your question down a little.