Brass

[Mr.Snerdly]

About a year and a half ago I got some Sellier and Bellot ammo for a 223, 150 rounds for about $55. I figured the cartridge would be pretty poor but I was buying it for the brass. I had never reloaded before and had a heck of a time getting the primers seated. At least half of them wouldn't fire. I later found out they have some kind of a different primer pocket for military ammo. Can I buy something to make these usable for reloading or are they such poor quality that it would be pointless to bother with them? If the brass is no better than the loaded round, I would say they are junk but I am not certain. Thought I would ask before I threw them away.

[charlie b]

I would say to get a primer pocket tool, either swage or cutter type, and then see what you end up with.

[sharpshooter]

Are they Berdan primed?

[Mr.Snerdly]

I am pretty sure they are not Berdan. A standard primer will go in with force. Like I said, this was the first ammo I reloaded and didn't understand that it shouldn't be that hard to seat primers. On the next brass I reloaded, (Winchester) everything worked well.

[charlie b]

If they were Berdan you'd know cause the pin on your decap die would break :) Or, if it is strong enough it would feel like you were punching through a piece of sheet metal.

[Mr.Snerdly]

If they were Berdan you'd know cause the pin on your decap die would break :) Or, if it is strong enough it would feel like you were punching through a piece of sheet metal.

If it is possible to post a picture on here somehow, I could show you what they were. I know it is possible, just don't know how.

[Back2Wyo]

If they have a crimp on the primer pocket, they will need to be swigged to open the pocket up.

[charlie b]

I didn't read your post well the first time. You said "military". That means the primers were crimped in place. Easy peasy. They make special tools for that. They are either a swage type (better, IMHO) or cutter type (the ones I have cause they are cheap). VERY common issue with .223 brass.

[Mr.Snerdly]

I didn't read your post well the first time. You said "military". That means the primers were crimped in place. Easy peasy. They make special tools for that. They are either a swage type (better, IMHO) or cutter type (the ones I have cause they are cheap). VERY common issue with .223 brass.

Could you provide a brand and model number that would be reasonably priced and where to buy?

[Orezona]

https://www.dillonprecision.com/super-swage-600_8_8_25263.html

This is the one I use.

[charlie b]

Here is a swage die
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018253142?pid=875703
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832

reamer type
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1064643126
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165253550

[Mr.Snerdly]

Here is a swage die
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018253142?pid=875703
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832

reamer type
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1064643126
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165253550


Those reamer types are like most everything now, out of stock. The swage method tools cost far more than the brass is worth. I think I will just not use the brass since I will buy Lapua brass when the present brass wears out. It sounded like a good idea at the time getting 150 rounds for $55 but it was just money completely wasted. The loaded rounds were the most inaccurate ammo I ever shot, the brass is not capable of being reloaded unless I spend money on a tool which isn't available and more than likely wouldn't be all that good anyway. Lesson learned, try to be economical but don't be cheap.

[charlie b]

Do you have a simple countersink bit for your drill? They also work if you are careful with them. I used one for years. Sometimes a case deburr tool can be used, the one for inside the case mouth. Takes a bit longer but it works.

[snowgetter1]

I use my hand inside case mouth chamfer to just cut away the crimp. Try it then attempt to seat a primer. If it doesn't go in use the chamfer again until primer seats.

[GaCop]

https://www.dillonprecision.com/super-swage-600_8_8_25263.html

This is the one I use. That's the same one I have. Good for large and small primer pockets.

[Patrad]

Howdy all. The one I have used since around '81 or so is the second one that CharlieB posted:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832
(https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832)
Used it on small and large pockets with absolutely no problem. Just pay a bit of attention with setup so ya don't over swage 'em.

[charlie b]

.....It sounded like a good idea at the time getting 150 rounds for $55 but it was just money completely wasted. The loaded rounds were the most inaccurate ammo I ever shot....

Yep. One reason I bought a .223 was the inexpensive ammo. I thought I could get by without reloading (we were living in an RV at the time). Well, you can, but, you have to be satisfied with 2" groups. I got some Federal Gold Medal Match just to see what the difference was. But, I could not afford to shoot much at those prices.

So, got my reloading stuff out of storage. The Match King bullets are still a bit on the expensive side, but, at least I can afford to go out and shoot every week.

Have shot almost 4000 rounds through it now. Almost half were the 77gn SMK's.

And, after going through cases I bit the bullet and got Lapua brass. 15 reloads is not unusual. Pretty good considering all the surplus stuff I have tried only went 4 reloads before the primers would fall out.

[yobuck]

Lyman used to make a hand tool for cleaning out the primer pockets in the military brass.
Ive owned one for many years, it is easy to use and does a nice job.
My father used an old shorty screw driver ground to the right size.

[charlie b]

They still do, it is the one in the link above.

[Stumpkiller]

I reload S&B .223 brass and have not had a problem with primers. None of mine have a "crimped" primer or anything "odd" so you may have different brass(?)

I do note that S&B .223 factory tends to run hot. Occasional flattened primers. But I have no issues reloading that brass.