Sizing 5.56 Norma

[simo]

So, I'm new to reloading. I bought some Norma 5.56 55g FMJ at a good price, but I found that they were not as tight groups as the other brands I have purchased and I would frequently get jams (I can't remember how exactly) with these round, so they went on the back shelf. I have reloaded most of my other brands and I decided to try reloading the Norma. This is my process with all so far: Hand de-prime, clean, then size. But with sizing these rounds, they take much more effort with the press than the other cases (PMC 5.56, Hornady 5.56, Frontier 223, AAC 5.56) Anyone else have this issue? I've stopped after sizing 20, and I wonder if I should even bother, especially if they are going to continue to jam. I'm going to take some measurements of the sized Norma and compare to the other sized cases, maybe the sizing process corrects the case, and I shouldn't have any problems.

 

[SeabeeKen]

You dont offer up much information to go on but my first thought would be to use a small base die for sizing. I've never had problems with Norma brass. If you are using a good case lube then dont worry about the sizing effort. Are you adjusting the sizing die to contact the shell holder? camming over? I would also recommend finding a local experienced reloader to mentor you in reloading. Ive done so with several guys and its far better than learning on the internet

 

[ShtrRdy]

Does the Norma 5.56 case have a crimped or staked in primers?

I use Norma 223 brass and it resizes fine.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

If they were jamming as new ammo, it makes sense they were larger and that it would take more force to size them. They will probably require more trimming after sizing also.

 

[AWS]

I made some 222 Rem brass from some Norma range pickups the brass below the neck is thick, it took serious reaming to make useable brass

 

[simo]

I'm using a RCBS 223 full length sizing die. I set the die to contact the shell holder. The primers were crimped, but I use a hand de-primer, and clean the cases before I size. I am learning as I go here, and although a small base die might be better for sizing the Norma cases that I have (only around 200), it might be more economical for me to put these on the back burner for now. I still plan on taking some measurements and compare, and maybe I'll just trim and reload the 20 that I have sized, and see how they go. Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[ebb]

Bolt action or semi-auto rifle? I can't imagine why a bolt action would need a small base die unless it was an unusually small chamber. Try sizing the Norma brass with imperial sizing die wax or similar and just be patient. Leave case in sizing die for 3 to 5 seconds and rotate 90% and size again with the same dwell time. should work after that.

 

[Walt Krafft]

You nees more or better lube.

 

[simo]

Semi-autos, ARs. So I measured and compared the Norma to others sized and unsized, and unfired. With unfired, the cases are about .0012 wider, and about .0025 longer. With sized and unsized cases, I didn't notice any big differences when comparing to others that have sized easily. I'm going to trim and reload the 20, and see how they go.

 

[simo]

The lube works great on other rounds, but I'll try something different for them.

 

[KMW 1954]

I recently received 80pcs of Norma 556 from a friend at the range. All same lot, all fired from the same rifle.

I washed, deprimed, sized, trimmed, loaded and shot all of it in my Savage bolt. Not a single issue in loading or shooting.

Now I will process again the same way only now adding an anneal. Don't foresee and issues. Also have about 500pcs of Norma 223 brass that is on it's 8th or 9th reloading and still going strong.

 

[simo]

Okay, what I've learned today:
1- You can fit a 243 bullet in a 223 case
2- The Norma cases are heavier than the other cases I've reloaded, so that's probably why it take a little more effort to size.

Anybody have a need for (4) 243/223 rounds?

 

[joshb]

Okay, what I've learned today:
1- You can fit a 243 bullet in a 223 case
2- The Norma cases are heavier than the other cases I've reloaded, so that's probably why it take a little more effort to size.

Anybody have a need for (4) 243/223 rounds?

Save them for the 6x45 you’ll build someday!
Seriously, pull them apart or toss them so they don’t get mixed up with what you’re doing.