.223/556 brass

[Zgreen1]

I'm new to this caliber and was wondering if there is a market for this brass to use for reloading? If yes how much can I expect to get per 100?

 

[sht4brnz]

$4

 

[Electronrider]

Lake city brass averages about 100 dollars a thousand. Less desirable brands go a little less.

 

[Zgreen1]

Ok thanks, are the actual casings of the 223 and 556 six the same or should I keep them separate?

 

[shibumiseeker]

Ok thanks, are the actual casings of the 223 and 556 six the same or should I keep them separate?

You make a little more money if you separate them out. Demand is really cyclic. A year ago once fired was going for $130/k, now around $80/k in 1000 piece lots. Smaller lots go for a little more per, but it's harder to sell as many and shipping cuts into that. Because I have access to a very large shooting and training center I tend to pick up .223/5.56 a lot and pretty much have a lifetime supply for my own use, so I sell a little now and then. 200 fit pretty well in a small flat rate USPS box and 1400 fit well in a medium flat rate box.

 

[Zgreen1]

Ok thanks for all the information! Now I can tell my wife I have to shoot more to get more brass to get more money! A win-win.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Wrong. Now you have to get a reloading setup so you start seeing brass as gold nuggets 8-)

 

[sloughfoot]

HUH? 223 and .556 brass is identical. Dimensionally there is no difference.

The chambers are identical. The throat might be different for 5.56 NATO versus 5.56 Mil-Spec. But the chamber area from the neck to the base is identical.

 

[indyblue]

Doesn't 5.56 brass have to contain higher pressures? I thought the case wall and head thickness is greater in 5.56 (why the 5.56 holds slightly less powder than .223).

American Rifleman - .223 Remington Vs. 5.56: What's in a Name?

I have noticed that I have tighter groups shooting 5.56 vs .223 in my Colt. I am about to check out some of the 5.56/62Gr I just received to see if my groups get even tighter with the heavier bullet.

 

[sloughfoot]

5.56 NATO is a special high pressure round that throws the 62 grain penetrator at the same velocity as the 55 grain Mil-Spec. Therefore it is higher pressure to get that job done.

If you look at the article, he is talking about 5.56 NATO versus 223. Even he muddies the issue by talking about the M193 ball ammo in the same article about the M855 NATO ammo. Both are 5.56 obviously, but M193 is the same pressure as any 223.

M193 ball ammo was never adopted by NATO and was the primary issue ammo until 1988 when the NATO stuff came out. It was used in the M16A1 and the 1X12 twist barrels.

5.56 NATO required a re-barrel to the 1X7 twist and the emergence of the M16A2.

The brass is identical. The chambers are different. All M16 chambers have been larger than .223 because it has always been a full auto rifle. But M193 ball has always been safe to fire in a .223 chambered bolt gun.

Try to find the 1989 NRA book "Semi-Auto Rifles" data and comment. There is a couple of articles in their by C.E. Harris about the the (then) new 5.56 NATO round and the the (then) new M16A2.

I can't explain why modern authors don't magnify the huge difference between the M193 ball round and the 5.56 NATO ammo,

 

[trophyhunter]

I'm new to this caliber and was wondering if there is a market for this brass to use for reloading? If yes how much can I expect to get per 100?

The one real exception is Federal .223 brass commercially loaded, NOT their Lake City mil-spec brass. Federals .223 primer pockets have always been looser than a pair of dice in a water pitcher. Not much demand for that, most guys won't bend over to pick it up. Prime some by hand if you ever run across it, you'll feel it right away.

 

[tenring]

223 Rem + 223 AI Cartridge Guide