I just started reloading for my .308 bolt guns, and by just started I mean putting together my equipment lol. I would like to reload .223 since I have a few AR 15's, but it seems like I heard somewhere that you have to do something extra when reloading for a semi auto. Is that true, if so what is it? Also, can you reload brass less times with a semi auto then you can with a bolt gun? Thanks.
.223 Semi Auto
- Thread starter tanda10506
- Start date
Re: .223 Semi Auto
Not so much extra but I think what you are referring to is the need to full length resize the brass instead of just neck sizing.
Jim
Not so much extra but I think what you are referring to is the need to full length resize the brass instead of just neck sizing.
Jim
Re: .223 Semi Auto
Yeah you'll have to do a full length resize and maybe decrimp the primer pocket if it's been crimped.
Oh and your brass won't last as long. Semi-autos tend to be rougher on brass.
Yeah you'll have to do a full length resize and maybe decrimp the primer pocket if it's been crimped.
Oh and your brass won't last as long. Semi-autos tend to be rougher on brass.
Re: .223 Semi Auto
For my semi autos (.223 & .308) I run the small base sizing die (RCBS). Not sure if it's 100% necessary, but it gives me piece of mind.
For my semi autos (.223 & .308) I run the small base sizing die (RCBS). Not sure if it's 100% necessary, but it gives me piece of mind.
Re: .223 Semi Auto
Since full length sizing is the norm, the brass will get worked more, and the extractors are normally harsher on the brass in semi-auto's, so less brass life, as already mentioned.
The rotating bolt on an AR does not provide as much leverage as the bolt on a "bolt gun", so something that you could chamber and close with some resistance in a bolt gun will not allow the bolt to lock on an AR, as it doesn't have the extra force/leverage to do so.
I have never found a need to use small base dies for normal/SAMMI chambers in .223, .308, or .30-06 semi-auto's. You might be able to get away with just neck sizing for some chambers or with some brass, but probably not really worth doing so, and then having to test feed every round to assure it will chamber without jamming. And for semi-autos fed out of a magazine, you probably want a bit more neck tension than you are using in your bolt gun, just to make sure bullets in the mag don't change seating depth under recoil.
Since full length sizing is the norm, the brass will get worked more, and the extractors are normally harsher on the brass in semi-auto's, so less brass life, as already mentioned.
The rotating bolt on an AR does not provide as much leverage as the bolt on a "bolt gun", so something that you could chamber and close with some resistance in a bolt gun will not allow the bolt to lock on an AR, as it doesn't have the extra force/leverage to do so.
I have never found a need to use small base dies for normal/SAMMI chambers in .223, .308, or .30-06 semi-auto's. You might be able to get away with just neck sizing for some chambers or with some brass, but probably not really worth doing so, and then having to test feed every round to assure it will chamber without jamming. And for semi-autos fed out of a magazine, you probably want a bit more neck tension than you are using in your bolt gun, just to make sure bullets in the mag don't change seating depth under recoil.
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