I should have used the case gauge

[nwilling]

Well, I made a pretty big error loading some 223 on my Dillon 650.
Cases were new and good to go. I primed, powdered and loaded about 900 but screwed up one key step. I had the Lee factory crimp die set too tight and ended up compressing the case so that it bulges at the shoulder... did this to just about all of them. I should have checked before I got crazy with it but I didn't.
Rather than waste 900 or so 69gn smk and a bit of cfe 223, I figured I'd order an rcbs collet puller and verify I didn't crush the copper jacket.
Obviously the powder is fine, but what I'm really wondering is if you all think I can salvage the cases with a bulge at the case neck, they're not extreme bulges, but noticeable to the naked eye.
I figured I'd collect the powder, lay the cases on a towel and lube them taking care to not get too much down the neck, and then size them sans the decapping pin. Once done, I'd reload them all.
Would you guys attempt this or just trash the cases/primers?


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[nexusfire]

Shoot a few and see how they do

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[nwilling]

Actually that's how I figured out I had a problem... thought my gun was acting up when some wouldn't chamber but i checked and most of them failed the case gauge, while the go/no go gauges worked as advertised in the chamber


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[pell1203]

You might try pulling a few down and resizing the cases to see how it works out. If it still looks good, put the powder back into a few, check dimensions, and try shooting them again.

 

[nwilling]

Yeah I think that's exactly what I'll do, I imagine it's not crazy to resize a primed case, worst case one blows, but that may be a stretch

 

[wxl]

I would pull a few and resize without the decap pin and reload the charge. Check fit in your gauge.Try shooting a few to see how they do before doing all.

Sounds like a lot of work ahead to salvage brass. Other choice is to decap, save primers if possible and charge, scrap brass and start over. I do not crimp.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

There's always a full length body die

 

[nwilling]

There's always a full length body die

Hmmm, is it safe to run a body die on a loaded round?

 

[nwilling]

There's always a full length body die

Hmmm, is it safe to run a body die on a loaded round?

 

[pell1203]

Hmmm, is it safe to run a body die on a loaded round?

Pretty sure they are talking body die after the round has been broken down. Once that is done, I don't see a problem trying to run it through a body die with a primer still on it as long as you remove the decapping pin.

 

[Brettdec]

Hmmm, is it safe to run a body die on a loaded round?

It's as safe as any other snub nosed .223 with a 50 lb trigger pull... It depends on where it's pointed.
I'd operate under the assumption that a compressed powder charge could push an anvil hard enough to cause ignition. Depending on the length of the press, it might require an NFA stamp.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

I've done it many times over the years. make sure you have adequate neck clearance.

 

[FLIGHT762]

I've also repaired quite a number loaded rounds using a Redding body die. It does work.

 

[nwilling]

Well, at least 10 man hours later I have successfully pulled all bullets, sized and reloaded at least 850 rounds. Damn that was a lot of work! Case gauge is key!

 

[JoeBUtah]

Well, at least 10 man hours later I have successfully pulled all bullets, sized and reloaded at least 850 rounds. Damn that was a lot of work! Case gauge is key!

But I bet you don't make that same mistake again!

 

[nwilling]

Nope! I will not!

 

[2ndamendfan]

Ah the joys of a progressive press. I feel your pain man. Didn't have the exact thing happen to me but i have had to pull rounds down before. With a progressive press it usually isn't a few but a few 100.

 

[Bradu]

I've read quite a few stories similar to this so when I first got my 650 I would load 50 rounds or so and head to the range. It's kind of a hassle to head out just to test fire some ammo but it's worth it. I remember reading a sale ad where the guy was selling several thousand pistol ammo because it wouldn't cycle the slide. Good to hear you got it everything figured out.

 

[elfster1234]

I got an easy fix for that. Don't crimp. I never crimp for either semi or bolt

 

[nwilling]

Thanks for the kind words, the only thing I'm a little concerned with is the slight deformation of the bullets due to the crimp. They're not bad, but noticeable, ill definitely take it easy the first 25 or so rounds to make sure it's still shooting straight before putting the can on it.