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Can resized 5.56 brass be used in a T3-x Varmint? Short Chambers in these rifl
I am the new owner of a T3-x .223 Varmint and am having problems chambering my reloads.
I have a lot of full length small-base re-sized, trimmed (1.750″ +/- .002″)and primed once fired WCC 5.56 brass. I had planned to use moderate charges of CFE 223 under a 60gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. I can't get the bolt to close even if I reduce the OAL to 2.232 with a light crimp.. (Nosler's load data suggests loading it this bullet to 2.260 OAL.)
The completed WCC cased round easily fits in my Dillon .223 case gauge.
I can get the bolt closed the 60gr. Ballistic Tip and new re-sized Winchester brass only with an OAL of 2.238. If I load the new full-length resized Wincheter brass to 2.250, the bol won't begin to move down.
The only difference between the loaded WCC and new Winchester brass is the diameter right below the shoulder – the new Winchester is .350″ and the WCC is .355″. Otherwise all pertinent dimensions are within a thousandth or so apart between the WCC and new Winchester.
Is 5.56 brass unusable in the Varmint, no matter how it is resized?
Must 60gr Ballistic Tips be loaded short even with new .223 brass?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Chris
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4 Replies
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The trouble with 5.56 brass is that it's thicker than .223 , so when you load the bullet head it might be expanding the brass too much
Don't be tempted to fire a full blooded 5.56 through you .223 unless is been chambered for the .223/5.56 has the 5.56 produces another 10,000 psi of chamber pressure over a standard .223 -
Is your die set right? Sounds like you may have a shoulder issue versus a seating / OAL issue…
I've had none of the issues you are experiencing and I have loaded the exact same combo with CFE…My load data:
26.8grs CFE
60gr Nosler BT
OAL 2.7″ (pretty much max mag length)Works in both my T3 Lite and T3 Varmint
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I use Dillon dies. To set the resizing die, I raised the shell-plate as high as it would go, screwed the resizing die down until it touched the shell plate, and backed off 1/8 of a turn.
Is this the right way to set the resizer?
Should I try a different resizing die? If so, which one?
I also note that these once-fired WCC cases and new Winchester cases with bullets easily fit the Dillon case gauge but won't chamber unless loaded very short.
Chris
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Hi Chris…I think backing off the die is your issue… instead you should be screwing it down by 1/8 inch increments bumping the shoulder back…I think thats where you are having your issues…check out this link to see if you are doing the steps in the die setup correctly…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIO37hANQlY
Also…are you resizing the “new” winchester cases as well?
If you are, and the die is set wrong, its all makes sense with what you are experiencing.Have you tried chambering an empty case into the rifle after you resize it? That will rule out a few thing right away. If the bolt throw is heavy or sticky then you have an issue with the die setup.
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