Resizing 223 to 222.

[strut64]

I have tried to resize LC 223 brass down to 222. The resized brass will not chamber in my 222. I believe the issue may be that 222 rifle has a "tight" chamber. I am using an RCBS FL sizing die. Another cause may be the RCBS FL sizing die is too large. Is anyone successfully resizing 223 to 222?

 

[liseo]

You trimmed the case?

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

One cold winter day I realized I was getting low on 222 brass. Screwed the FL sizer in and grabbed some recent once fired 223 LC range pick brass. Lubed and ran them in. Don't remember if I had to trim, but they loaded fine in both my SAKO and my 40x BR. Double check that your die is screwed in all the way. While sizing a case, stop at the top of the stroke. Put something white like paper or a small light behind the die shellholder junction. If there is any gap, then screw the die down another 1/8 turn. Test another case and repeat til case chambers or no gap.

Frank

 

[varmintshooter]

I run 223 part way in a 221 fb form die first. It is a pain but it has worked well enough for hunting. Check with Starline Brass as they did have 222 in stock awhile ago

 

[ricco1949]

∆∆∆

 

[Bill K]

I do the same with a Redding 221 form/trim die adjusted up in my press to form the 223 case down. Then trim the case to 222 length.

I run 223 part way in a 221 fb form die first. It is a pain but it has worked well enough for hunting. Check with Starline Brass as they did have 222 in stock awhile ago

 

[nakneker]

Free brass is free brass, if you get tired of dealing with the sizing aspect of the Lake city 223 brass you can back order starline. It’s priced at 105.00 per 250 or so and 250 pieces of 222 brass will last a long time. Any time I’ve back ordered brass from them it typically ships in 2-4 weeks. I’ve had a couple orders go longer but that’s rare.

If you just like sizing free brass to fill your need I get that too.

222 Remington Brass - Small Rifle - Brass Cases

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have come to the conclusion that FREE time is worth much more than FREE brass.

Some like saving money and getting free aggravation.

 

[Tommie]

I have come to the conclusion that FREE time is worth much more than FREE brass.

Some like saving money and getting free aggravation.

Dude. Totally. My buddy’s favorite saying “All this money saving is getting expensive’

 

[ricco1949]

250 pieces of 222 brass will last a long time.

Only lasts a few hours on a good PD day.

 

[Tommie]

Only lasts a few hours on a good PD day.

Man I gotta find that honey hole!

 

[jds holler]

I have done it!! But it's been prolly ten years ago. As I recall -- I found a YouTube vid about it and followed it. I believe I took them down in three or four steps with my standard 222 FL die and no expander.

I've still got a bunch, and just went and measured them and as I thought, they are short -- as in 1.655" as opposed to I think 1.700 (std length)

Here's the kicker though - I loaded some of them with 35 gr V-Max, and tried them for kicks, and shot about a 3/8" group. Those little bullets must have been prolly .060 off the lands, and I was amazed. I've got pics of that target somewhere here. jd

 

[nakneker]

Only lasts a few hours on a good PD day.

Well if prairie dogs are the quarry buy more, easy peasey.

 

[jds holler]

Here's the pic and the load. These were LC pick-up brass, and I'd say they did OK. This was a real fluke considering the condition of that old barrel. jd

 

[ricco1949]

Well if prairie dogs are the quarry buy more, easy peasey.

I leave for Dakota's with 4500 loaded.....2000 VTs, 1000 222s, 1000 223s and 500 K-Hornets. All Lake City derived except the K Hornets.

Next year I'll add 1000 .150 Shorty VTs to the ensemble. Intended for 100-200 yards with 32g VMs...may end up being my primary.

 

[SecondsCount]

Someone, probably the police, was leaving behind buckets of the FC headstamp 5.56 brass at the local range. It sizes down to 222 pretty easily.

My method is running it through an old shortened 223 die, neck turning, then running it through a 222 die. It shoots just as well as the Winchester brass that I have.

 

[AccelR8]

I have tried to resize LC 223 brass down to 222. The resized brass will not chamber in my 222. I believe the issue may be that 222 rifle has a "tight" chamber. I am using an RCBS FL sizing die. Another cause may be the RCBS FL sizing die is too large. Is anyone successfully resizing 223 to 222?

I've done it quite a bit successfully once I figured it out. I have the best results NOT annealing first. I don't size it all in one go, I start with the die turned out quite a bit, bring the ram up, back the ram down a little, and turn the die in a 1/4 or 1/2 turn and make another pass, doing that until I get full sizing with the die bottomed out on the shell holder. I haven't done it for several years though.

 

[dgeesaman]

As for the original question: any chance you formed a donut in the base of the neck that pushes out when a bullet is seated?

I formed a couple .222 from .223 Lapua brass. Since I skim necks the donut was partly removed but it stayed there. I could see that being a problem if you don’t turn the necks and use a longer bullet to engage the donut.

 

[ArtinNC]

I run 223 part way in a 221 fb form die first. It is a pain but it has worked well enough for hunting. Check with Starline Brass as they did have 222 in stock awhile ago

I use a 222 trim die as a firm die to make 222 frim 223 then thru a full length die . Works great .

 

[Piglet]

I use a 222 trim die as a firm die to make 222 frim 223 then thru a full length die . Works great .

I do the same but I use a 221 fireball trim die adjusted to push shoulder back just shy of 222. Trim to 222 length (not w trim die) then fl size w 222 die and set head space to 222 spec.