Federal .223 cases.

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Old Trev-39
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:07 pm

Federal .223 cases.

#1 Postby Old Trev-39 » Fri May 07, 2021 7:56 pm

My step grandson has Federal and Winchester .223 cases once fired by him. I am taking him through the reloading process to get him shooting reloads to make it cheaper for him to shoot. The other day after reloading some Winchester cases we moved onto the Federal. We encountered a problem with the priming of these cases, the primers would not go in.
I did some measurements and the primer pocket measurers .168 and primers measure .1745. Had no problems with the Winchester cases, so obviously the are a bit larger and the primers fitted. Did not have a empty Winchester case to measure the pocket. Has anyone had this problem and what is the fix if any. In 50 years of re-loading this is my first experience with .223 loading, so do not know of problems that may raise their ugly heads. Information please. If any use the Federal ammo has a green substance of some sort around the primer.
Cheers,
Trevor.

ShaneG
Posts: 574
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:25 pm
Location: Cairns

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#2 Postby ShaneG » Fri May 07, 2021 8:15 pm

Trev
A lot of Federal loaded ammo have crimped primers.
Especially the smaller calibers
I have experienced this with 204 Ruger and .223
You can deprime but not reprime without chamfering the primer pocket
Because I had approx 7K of these cases in NZ from many years of rabbi5 shooting I bought a Dillon tool to swage primer pockets

Old Trev-39
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:07 pm

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#3 Postby Old Trev-39 » Sat May 08, 2021 7:18 pm

Thanks Shane,
I knew military ammo had the crimped primers but not ordinary hunting ammo.
Cheers,
Trevor.

Tim L
Posts: 876
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 7:11 pm
Location: Townsville

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#4 Postby Tim L » Sat May 08, 2021 8:24 pm

Hi Trev
If you still want to use the cases I've got an RCBS primer pocket swager.
I've never used it so can't speak for it's effectiveness but you're more than welcome to have a go with it.
Fits a standard press
Are you going to Queens?

Old Trev-39
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:07 pm

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#5 Postby Old Trev-39 » Sun May 09, 2021 7:22 pm

Thanks Tim,
Will not be down for the Queens. Have been given a primer pocket reamer which is supposed to remove crimp and uniform pockets. Will give it a try , and if it does not work will take you up on your offer. Have a good Queens shoot.
Cheers,
Trevor.

Frank Green
Posts: 343
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:48 pm

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#6 Postby Frank Green » Tue May 11, 2021 12:47 am

If I recall correctly some of the Federal has the crimped style military primer pockets but not all of the Federal does. Depends which brand/line of ammo you got from Federal.

Old Trev-39
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:07 pm

Re: Federal .223 cases.

#7 Postby Old Trev-39 » Tue May 11, 2021 7:47 pm

Hi Frank,
Yes these do have the crimped primer pockets. Have not tried the pocket reamer I have been given yet.
Cheers,
Trevor.


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