Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 223 AI brass question

I just purchased my first 223 AI and stumbled on to a post of Steve Timm's while looking for load data that says once fired brass doesn't fireform well in the ackley. Who has experience with this? I was hoping to use 1x fired LC brass in my new rifle but don't want to waste the brass if it won't work out well. I would like to hear from anyone with expedience fireforming 223 Ai brass and also any load data would be great.
Thanks

I've had it not work worth a shiet before, but virgin worked like a charm.

thanks Steelhead,

I would like to get some of your 223 Ai load data, I have an 8 twist and I'm looking for any data for 50 to 75 grain bullets

BTW, your help some time ago with 6x45 data was very helpful and much appreciated. My son and I have really enjoyed shooting that round and now he has a Virginia legal big game rifle that doesn't knock the piss out of him

I have had no issue with once fired brass fireforming. None. I use primarily Winchester brass, all once (or more) fired, but I have cycled through a bunch of LC and Remington brass.

I picked up a bunch of federal xm 193 cases at the last school I taught at. I use it to make 300 blackout and 223AI. haven't had any problems other than it has the additional step to get rid of the primer crimp.

Currently on my 2nd 223AI tube...ran the first one around 9200 rds...a 12 twist...last summer I changed out the barrel it a 28" 9 twist...I still only shoot 53 V max & 55 NBT's...p/dogs being the target...if I want to shoot a 80-90 gr bullet I'll use a 6BR or 6XC...fireforming brass was never an issue...run a full nuts standard 223 load and seat bullet into the lands...my brass inventory includes Win..Lapua & LC...for me normal 223 powders include H4895..Benchmark & IMR8208...I can safely push the 53 moly V to 3500-3600 fps...this one is built on Salvage s/shot action...no I do not carry it....

I forgot to mention that I am getting 3500fps out of a 17" barrel. So far, with the AI, I have found no reason to ever own another standard 223 bolt gun.

I have FF thousands of once fired LC brass, with no problems.

Problems occur when you try to fire weak loads fire forming in the once fired LC brass.

Work up a load using once fired lake city brass, standard Kiss, find pressure technique and don't be surprised when the load ends up being over max for 223 loads in your fire forming loads.

You should expect excellent accuracy fire forming, and use a thick cup primer in all your 223 AI loads or burn holes in your bolt face. CCI 450's, Tula Mag primers(get them while you can), 7 1/2's, and CCI BR-4's are your thick cup primers.

I use IMI, Lake City, Rem, and Win brass...223 AI does not care, shoots little bitty holes with all of them.

It does care if you seat the bullet to touch the lands or into the lands.

Stomp on the the gas!

Am I the only one that scrounges the bench for bullets and powder I no longer use, and do my fire forming with that�middle of the charts loads�..?

Thanks Again guys.
Ingwe, I was thinking in a similar manner to you. I found several boxes of 52 grain hornadys that are so old I was surprised moths didn't fly out when I opened the boxes. They are probably gonna be my fireform bullets.

Just follow load recommendation for that weight bullet in the 223 and you'll be golden. I never ran into a problem doing this, but I must say accuracy of fire forming loads is hit or miss�.so to speak

I dont...I load good loads, with good bullets for fireforming. My AI shoots just as well fireforming as not, so why waste the barrel life and components?

Good points. I think Steelhead goes that route too. But I have spare leftover components sitting around, and one AI barrel in particular Im trying to use up.

It is hard to USE UP an AI barrel, they just keep on ticking!

Fire forming with loads that are full pressure loads can leade to case stretching. If you use a 7mm ogive gage on your caliper, insert the 223 AI case neck into the ogive gage and measure....BINGO....you can measure the length of the cases in various lengths of fireforming.

Anneal it? That should soften it up so it flows to the right dimensions. kwg

LC can run the gamut in relative quality. If it's a uniform Lot,nice things can be arranged,but the introduction of a poor lot which has been fired through a herd of different rifles,can take the fun out of things.

It will all go "Bang"...but it takes more than that to soothe me..................

I have never experienced any case stretching issues when fireforming, and all I use are full power loads. Further, I have no "stages" of fireforming. One load, and its formed.

keith has a VERY vivid imagination.

Finite headspace control,is always a great move....no matter the chambering...............(hint)

OK, Im bored. What would you know about .223AI brass anyway?