Reloading 223/5.56 with nicks & dings

[martyd]

I was given a whole bunch of 223/5.56 empty cases.

In the attached photo there are nicks and dings from when the fired case is ejected from the rifle.

There are some pin point dents on the case necks.

My question is for those who reload 223/5.56:
Do you reload cases with these types of nicks & dings?

There is a photo of the whole case and a close up of the nicks and dings.

Thanks,
Marty

 

[was21]

Looks like they came out of ak style.... if more of a crescent down in the area of the 4th 5th down I would say galil.

Wouldn’t be my first choice but I have loaded a metric ton of cases with worse. I do usually use those in classes/shoots where I won’t be able to retrieve.
Biggest issue with dents in 5.56 is up on the shoulder .... have found an accuracy issue with dents in that area... don’t know why but it happens.

Load em up and choot em.

 

[Old Jeff H]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about loading any of those.

 

[THE ICEMAN]

Shouldn't be a worry...
My Mini 14 puts a small dent on cases at the shoulder & I have never had a problem reloading the cases... The dent fire-forms back out...

 

[QuietM4]

I've shot factory loaded ammo that had dings like that...it's not big deal. Plus, when you fire them next, the ding will magically disappear!

 

[was21]

Unless you fire them out of a galil! LOL

 

[Flash]

I've shot factory loaded ammo that had dings like that...it's not big deal. Plus, when you fire them next, the ding will magically disappear!

Absolutely

 

[Suck My Glock]

Having reloaded AK-fired 5.56 cases for decades,...yes, they can be reloaded. However, it matters how DEEPLY the dings are. If they are just superficial, no problem. However, if deep, chuck them and don't look back. Deep dings reduce the case capacity and that affects chamber pressures.

I also recommend careful propellant selection. Stay away from loadings that fill the case to capacity. Try to stick to ball powders, such as AA#2230 or Winchester 748, and at moderate power, not the sizzling barn-burners.

One fellow I know likes to fire-form such cases by reserving them for loading sub-sonic reduced power loads for use in bolt-actions. He loads 77 grain Sierra Matchkings over a charge of pistol propellant to have an ultra-quiet poodle-puncher with his suppressed Mini-Mauser. After using them for that purpose, they are good to use again in auto-loaders because they are once again smooth-sided.

 

[martyd]

I thank all of you for your input and suggestions!
Marty

 

[Old Jeff H]

Congrats on having the only AZS thread in the last year to not have a fight break out in it. :lol:

 

[Flash]

Congrats on having the only AZS thread in the last year to not have a fight break out in it. :lol:

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the few folks who start and continue the fights know very little about reloading.

 

[xerts1191]

Congrats on having the only AZS thread in the last year to not have a fight break out in it. :lol:

:clap:

 

[QuietM4]

Don't get too excited yet...any moment now The Accountant will be along to tell us all about the time when he was a MACV SOG space shuttle door gunner in 'Nam where a local interpreter loaded up some slightly dented ammo into his M14, and it exploded with such a force that the QRF thought a daisy cutter was accidentally dropped on a platoon of children...

 

[xerts1911]

:shock:

 

[samnev]

As all have said NO PROBLEMO!!!

 

[dkizis]

i would reload them