For those that load 223 Rem/5.56 for semi autos

Rule3

Rule3

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How often do you check your brass for length and how often do you need to trim it?

What type of trimmer do you use, manual, electric etc.?

I load it for a bolt action so I generally only neck size it but still check in a gauge.

Seems that running a semi auto AR there would be so much brass to have to check that there would be a lot of work with the brass.??

I sometimes shoot a AR but use military crimp ammo so I just trade it for other brass even though I have a swag die.
 
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OCD1 said:
How often do you check your brass for length and how often do you need to trim it?

What type of trimmer do you use, manual, electric etc.?

I load it for a bolt action so I generally only neck size it but still check in a gauge.

Seems that running a semi auto AR there would be so much brass to have to check that there would be a lot of work with the brass.??

I sometimes shoot a AR but use military crimp ammo so I just trade it for other brass even though I have a swag die.
Click to expand...

Sir, when I was competing with the AR, I full-length resized and trimmed after each firing (not necessary for a bolt gun). I do the same for Garands, M14 types, etc. FWIW, the Palma bolt gunners I know follow a cycle of four or five neck sizings to one full-length resize, and then repeat the cycle.

For trimming and case checking, I used a cheap piloted Lee hand trimmer and a Wilson case gauge. Many high power guys use powered case trimmers such as the Gracey or Giraud, but they're expensive--really not cost-effective unless you're dealing with thousands of cases.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
 
That's what I was wondering. For by bolt action use, it is not a problem using the little Lee trimmer with the wood ball on the end. I can do 20 or 100.

Those that shoot semi autos certainly chew up a lot of ammo and I was curious about how much labor was involved just prepping the cases, let alone loading them.

I would shoot my AR more often if I didn't have to worry about case sizing. Was thinking of at least getting a better trimmer.
 
It is a lot of work. You can use the lee trimmers with a battery powered drill. The #s for the ones I use are listed below, the #s are from Midway but they probably are lee and wilson #s.

476992
107333
389104
Wilson #456614
 
The time consuming part for me is the tightening and un- tightening the little chuck on the shell holder.

I kinda do it opposite. I put the shell holder in my bench vice and use the cutter either with the wood ball or put it in the cordless drill. So each piece of brass involves tighten pick up cutter, trim. put down cutter remove brass, insert new brass . pick up cutter etc etc. Kinda mind numbing.

I do not mind the turning or actual cutting as that is only a few turns, it's the inserting and removal of the brass.

Thinking of getting either the RCBS with push down handle or the Hornady.

RCBS Trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer Kit - MidwayUSA

Hornady Cam-Lock Case Trimmer Kit - MidwayUSA
 
When I get a big batch of .223s I'm going to take a closer look at the RCBS & Hornady. The threads on the lees do get tiresome.
 
I use to send all my 223 brass to be sized, trimmed and primed for $85 per 1000, I couldn't start to do that for the price.
 
if you want good results, then trimming after each firing is a good idea. If you are shooting some light loads, you can probably get away with every other loading.

The other problem is crimping, if you don't have a consistant case lenght and plan on crimping the bullets in place, you will end up with some colapsed shoulders and incosistant crimps if there is a wide range in case length.
 
I try to clean(tumble), FL size, trim(forster), debur in/out, remove primer crimp(Forster), clean/cut primer cup and remove inside flash hole bur in lots of 1k or more 1 time as it is VERY labor intensive.

The upside is I can then use the brass for bolt or AR and keep seperate with details noted and then trim as needed after several firings.

One way I have tried to trim is to use the LEE trimmer by chucking the length gage and cutter assembly in drill press and hold the case in fingers while running the drill down against the press table. This eliminates the chucking and un-chucking the LEE base onto each case. It is hard on the fingers though.

There is a device I have that is made by Possum Hollow Products called KWICK CASE TRIMMER. It indexes off the case shoulder datum like a headspace gage. Cases should be fired before trimming in this device. They then are matched to the chamber. The tool is fast when used in a drill press as you just hold the brass case up into the device until the cutting is done and you do not start/stop press.

As for how often do I trim, it depends on load and rifle, I size the case after firing, either FL or neck, then measure and trim as required.

I do spend way more time prepping loading than I shoot, However to me the result is the same in the sense of enjoyment and me time LOL

I hope this helps some and if you have questions about methods discussed PM me and I'll try to better explain.
 
It seems there is no "easy" way short of getting the Dillon machine to process a lot for semi auto use. That's why I shoot a bolt rifle more.

One of the electric machines from RCBS or Hornady would probably be sufficient for my use. I can chamfer and de burr my hand.

Anybody use the Hornady Case Prep Center? Is it worth the money?

Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Center 110 Volt - MidwayUSA
 
I have and use Lee trimmers for several calibers. When I started to reload for an AR-15 I bought the KWICK CASE TRIMMER made by Possum Hollow. If you're not familiar with it, check it out. I put the trimmer in a drill press and do a big bunch then chamfer and de-burr, each as seperate steps on the drill press. I think it does a fine job and is relatively fast...no locking of each individual case into a holder. If I didn't already have a bench-top drill press, I might have bought the cheap Harbor Freight version just for this purpose.
 
I don't load the .223/5.56, but I trim a lot of cases. I use the little lee tool that attaches to the bench with a screw. Pull the handle and away you go. I think it's called a zip drive, but that may be the name of some old computer back up system.
 
OCD1 said:
That's a pretty slick, inexpensive tool. Thanks for the suggestion.

YouTube - ‪.223 Case Trimming Possum Hollow Kwick‬‏
Click to expand...

I gave less than $20 at Cabelas a few years back

I do not have any kind of adapter, I put mine into drill chuck of Press

The tools' O.D. is .625"

There is another rotary drill operated trimmer device made in Spicer, MN. I think,
It is like $65 though
Not sure where I see the ad, so removed the mag. I earlier stated, for now anyway
 
Last edited:
I size all my brass after every firing, in every caliber! It's fun and just part of the process.
 
I have trimmed at least 1500 .223 cases with the cheap Lee trimmer. With hard use, the part that screws into the holder (pilot?) will get shorter as it's constantly being turned into the handle and as such the brass will be trimmed shorter. I'm not picky on exact OAL and they're trimmed short enough that I never need to trim them again.

If I'm shooting a 3 Gun or rifle match and am not allowed to pick up my brass I just load whatever once fired boxer primed steel cases I can get my hands on. Very rarely do they stretch beyond max AOL and there's no need to trim. The primer pockets aren't crimped either so you don't have to worry about that.

Dave Sinko
 
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