Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-06-2018, 11:18 AM
Echo47 Echo47 is offline
Member
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Birmingham, MI
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Liked 61 Times in 24 Posts
Default Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?

A shooting buddy recently approached me with an offer to split a "great deal" on mil-surp once fired .223 brass he'd picked up at a gun show.
Turns out I received over a thousand pieces of WIN NT brass.
Primer pockets were crimped but tight on depriming.
No culls were found after a Dawn-LemiShine-water wash and dry session. Case weights were comparable to other .223 military brass casings I've reloaded in the past.
Researching WIN NT brass on the blogs, most responders recommended to 'get rid of them' but some have reloaded WIN NT cases with no problems, but no specific reloading data was offered.
I received a reply from Winchester indicating the primer pockets accept WSR primers, but, again, no reloading information was offered.
So, I plan to use them for short-range (100 yds or less) paper punching.
Can I use standard .223 (NOT 5.56!) reloading data (light to moderate powder charges under FMJ or hunting bullets in the 52 - 55 gr range) and leave 'em in the dirt after one shooting or continue to reload them until no-longer reloadable?
Again, I'm really interested in hearing from reloaders who HAVE reloaded WIN NT brass.
Echo47
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-06-2018, 12:23 PM
Bkreutz's Avatar
Bkreutz Bkreutz is offline
US Veteran
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Fruitland Idaho
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 1,586
Liked 4,882 Times in 2,025 Posts
Default

I'd check them with a magnet. 9mm WIN NT is brass plated steel.
__________________
Minimize the variables
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-30-2018, 11:06 AM
Echo47 Echo47 is offline
Member
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Birmingham, MI
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Liked 61 Times in 24 Posts
Default Reloading WIN NT .223 brass

Sorry for my absence--work responsibilities.

I did check the WIN NT casings with a magnet, as well as dropping them on a concrete floor compared to known brass casings (LC).
The magnet had no effect on the casings (they are yellow in color and not 'dirty-gray' like Wolf steel cases) and sound like brass when dropped on the floor.
Echo47
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-30-2018, 01:23 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
Member
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 103
Liked 1,475 Times in 601 Posts
Default

That NT usually stand for non toxic, usually the primer. The issue with that stuff is the primer not the brass it's self. Once fired and the primer removed, de-crimped and sized, it should be good to go. I think the issues with the non toxic primers is the shelf life is not nearly as long as regular primers.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-30-2018, 04:47 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
Member
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 103
Liked 1,475 Times in 601 Posts
Default

Ok just got in after checking my Winchester .223/5.56 bin. I do have some NT brass, I have reloaded it, It looks like I swaged the primer pockets on it at one time. I have it in my regular rotation and I am on my 5 reload with that batch and no issues. I weighed it and it is within the weight of non NT Win brass, and holds the same internal water capacity as my commercial Win stuff. I never culled it out, never really noticed it so I'm assuming It was good to go. If I swage the primer pockets on non military brass it's either due to some how having a crimp, a tight pocket or it got thrown in the primer pocket swage pile by accident. So I don't make any notes on PP swaging. If the brass was problematic it would have been in the scrap pile, so since I'm still using it I'm assuming I have no issues, unless I'm getting dumber as I get older.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 08-01-2018, 02:00 AM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is offline
Member
Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass? Anyone with experience reloading WIN NT .223 brass?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,596
Likes: 240
Liked 29,106 Times in 14,073 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by apollo99 View Post
That NT usually stand for non toxic, usually the primer. The issue with that stuff is the primer not the brass it's self. Once fired and the primer removed, de-crimped and sized, it should be good to go. I think the issues with the non toxic primers is the shelf life is not nearly as long as regular primers.
That is a myth. The only drawback to primers using DDNP instead of Lead Styphnate as the sensitive component of the primer mix is that the DDNP primers are unreliable at temperatures below about -20 deg. F. I have DDNP-primed ammunition in both .223 and 9mm over 15 years old, and it still works fine. Likewise, I have experienced no difficulties in reloading military 5.56mm brass (from Federal) which was loaded with DDNP primers. I think the flash hole is slightly larger than normal, but that does not affect performance. I managed the USAF's adoption of lead-free training ammunition until I retired in 2008, and there are probably very few as familiar with it as I am.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-01-2018, 10:10 AM
fredj338's Avatar
fredj338 fredj338 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Kalif. usa
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 2,665
Liked 3,927 Times in 2,366 Posts
Default

You are over thinking it. Thriw it away, why??? It is not any diff than any other boxer primed 223 brass, actually better than. Some others. Prep it the same & load it up.
__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
460 XVR Reloading Experience Needed bpthomsen S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 4 07-05-2016 11:23 AM
FS Reloading... positive experience oldylocks Reloading 26 06-22-2016 04:51 PM
Reloading Brass KMI111 Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 1 10-17-2015 12:37 PM
Experience & Opinions on Brands of Brass baxtersmith Reloading 11 08-24-2010 11:48 AM
My first reloading experience alphabrace Reloading 5 02-03-2010 06:59 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:57 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)