Sizing and neck reaming 300 AAC Blackout cases from .223/5.56 cases

[@j45acp69]

For those of you wondering what size of neck reamer to order from forester, take the de capping mandrel out of your sizing die, full length size your die, then measure your brass neck thickness. subtract .020 from that number then order that size from forester as a custom size. I am using Lee full length sizing dies so I ended up ordering .302 from them. this gives me .010 neck wall thickness and works like a champ. Hope this helps.

[@Rocky1115]

Great video. Just ran into this issue that I didn't even know existed. Now, I have a solution! This is a lot cheaper than my original solution... To buy a 5.56/.223 rifle.

[@richardsmith6038]

Magic!! oooooohhhhhh me likey MAGIC!!! thanks for a great instructional and entertaining video.

[@Aokay174ShadowSquadLV]

Thanks for this video!

[@dcfolsom]

I added even 1 more step to the 19 step process, using a Lee universal decapper die to remove the primers. A real time/decapper saver since when I run across a case with a crimped primer and the deprimer pin pops up, just whack it with a nylon mallet to knock it down. Secondary benefit is the expander ball on the sizing die decapper never sees the interior of the case until the case has been reamed to .308, saving a lot of broken necks and jammed deprimer pins.

[@pstewart5443]

I was reloading so many 300BO that I broke down and bought a Dillon 223 to 300 trim/sizing die and the RT-1500. I can cut a 223 and size it in about 6 seconds. Made life so much easier and processing a 1k cases in like 1/2 day rather than a week.

[@dedieux9486]

But do you then still need to ream the neck?

[@pstewart5443]

@@dedieux9486 Not on every case, but I turn them or cull them when they require that much extra work. I have hundreds of 223 cases I picked up prior to the great shortage.

[@dedieux9486]

@@pstewart5443 i also have a lot of 223 cases and plan to get an rt1500 and sizing/trim die for 223 --> 300 blk. But how do you sort the cases out that do need to much work. I rather think that I would just ream every case with the hornady trimmer and a cordless drill attached to it. of course it is more work - but after that alle the cases should be usable for 300blk without checking every single one

[@Bisley1]

@@dedieux9486i only just got my rt1500 and started using it this week. It might seem wasteful, but because I don’t hve a micrometer and a caliper might not be as accurate, I selected a couple of 223 cases of each headstamp, converted them, loaded them up with just the bullet (no powder or primer) and measured the case neck thickness of the loaded case, compared it to SAAMI and decided to only convert the ones which are in the lower range (G.F.L., FC, and another I measured yesterday should work). You can always pull the bullets and reload them in plinking ammo, so as not to waste them. And yes, it requires sorting by headstamp but I will be doing that one time antway, because I intend to load both: 77gr SMK semi auto „precision“ ammo and mixed headstamp plinking 223. i have a lot of brass, so I‘ll be making individual loads to each headstamp for the SMKs ans everything on second pickup or future brass I collect will be used for plinking

[@cjanderson66]

Wait your wife let you set this station up in the kitchen? She is a keeper

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

The dining room, technically, but yes. She is awesome. Once I finish converting my barn to a tiny home for my mom, my next big project is building a new barn for a workshop, so it's only temporary.

[@agentorange1291]

Forster is offering a kit to use their neck reamer with a drill press. I just dont know how accurate this will be...

[@DisgustedGenXr]

I like to rotate them and size it 2wice. Feel it may be mare evenly built?

[@terrymessenger3098]

What size bullet do you use to handload? Since the reamer cuts to .311 (it says to ream before sizing, which is impossible since we are creating new 300 BO brass), I am looking at some .311 cast lead from missouri bullet....

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

300 AAC Blackout Bullets diameter

[@rastenborg]

The industrial spray cutting lubricant will extend the life of blade and motor. 10 every 20 minutes is like by ones privy parts.

[@DisgustedGenXr]

Put a drop of mineral oil in the bit?

[@AB-je8kp]

And now we know the anodizer isn't an annealer

[@galenlehman8026]

what size was that reamer ? also will the standard 308 reamer fit in the hornady case trimmer like you had in the video

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

It's the Forster 308 neck reamer. I picked this one specifically because it fits in the Hornady Cam Lock Trimmer. I'm not sure if others do or not.

[@galenlehman8026]

@@SevenStarMountain-X7 Thanks so much for your response and an excellent video! Just found your channel today!

[@MrMann-gt1eh]

Hey man, I’m about to set up my reloading bench. Haven’t pressed a round. I bought the RCBS S/B sizing kit. Just curious, why did you not screw the sizing die in another 1/8 turn or quarter turn after seating the die to the depth it would meet the cam?

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

Hornady dies are supposed to touch the shell holder at the highest point before the press cams over. You'd only screw it in more if the cases weren't fitting in your gauge or chamber.

[@michaela9230]

Could you post links for the reamer used?

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

www.forsterproducts.com/product/standard-neck-reamers/ I used .308

[@CarrieAddison]

Is this a standard .308 reamer or a custom mil spec reamer?

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

Standard .308

[@terrymessenger3098]

I ordered the standard .308 from Forster, which measures .311. It says to ream before sizing or the neck will be too large for .308 bullet. Problem is, you have to size the 5.56 brass to get a neck to work with. My question is what is the actual size of your reamer. If it is .311 like mine, did you have any trouble seating your bullet properly? Loved the video. Gave me everything I need except the precise reamer size you used. Thank you :-)@@SevenStarMountain-X7

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

@@terrymessenger3098 No issues seating bullet, but I size it again after reaming so that the neck is the correct dimensions.

[@marcperrone8355]

Too thick won't chamber, left with mortaring your gun while holding pressure on the charging handle to get it out.

[@roosar2001]

That's the whole point of reaming the neck. If you leave the neck too thick, it will push outward when a bullet is seated, making it not chamber. You may have to find what works for your specific gun.

[@marcperrone8355]

@@roosar2001 there's a list available for brass that works without reaming. All LC brass works great, but you'll have to sort it if using range brass.

[@roosar2001]

@@marcperrone8355 Maybe I misunderstood what you were communicating in your first post. Everyone has a slightly different chamber, in my experience, best bet is to ream it until you find what works for you. Anytime you neck down, the brass will be thicker. 300 BL has a very small shoulder, so it's only slightly thicker, so as you said, many cases may work without reaming, but some won't.

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

Beer. That’s all I needed to see to hit , Unfollow.

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

And you thought I would care...why?

[@M80Ball]

It’s cruel to keep a rabbit in a cage.

[@SevenStarMountain-X7]

Who let PETA in here?