I found a bag of this brass....

Ratbuster · #1 08-20-2016, 03:45 AM

There was a bag of 60 pieces of brass laying around at the range for several weeks and the rangemaster asked me if I wanted them. It looks like Fireball that was formed from 223 brass and necked down to 17. The shoulder is poorly formed so they have not yet been shot.

The pic below shows a new Lapua 221 FB with 23 degree neck on the left. The one in the middle is the same but run through a Hornady 20 Vartarg die and neck turned. The one on the right is one from the bag I brought home.

If I necked it up to 20 cal and ran it through my Hornady Vartarg die and turned the necks (now at .017 thick) would they likely be suitable for the Vartarg?

dedogs · #2 08-20-2016, 04:29 AM

Ratbuster, First off what does the head-stamp on the brass say. Next what is the neck diameter of your chamber. Once you expand the necks back up to .20 cal. they will most likely not measure .017 thick. You may not have to turn them at all to get them to chamber. I would however check trim length and case volume compared to the brass you are currently using. As always--start low and work up. dedogs

Ratbuster · #3 08-21-2016, 06:57 PM

They are stamped TTT which I have heard are comparable to LC from Taiwan. I did expand one neck to 20 cal, it thinned out to 016 so they will not chamber unless I turn

Is that rounded shoulder typical prior to fire forming when making 221 FB brass from 223?

georgeld · #4 08-22-2016, 01:17 AM

Let the newbie's reply, they're the experts here these days it seems.

dedogs · #5 08-22-2016, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgeld

Let the newbie's reply, they're the experts here these days it seems.

What exactly is your point? Sounds to me like since I am a "newbie" to this site I should not respond to threads for fear of being branded an "expert"?

dedogs

Ratbuster · #6 08-22-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgeld

Let the newbie's reply, they're the experts here these days it seems.

Just because someone is a newbie on this site does not mean they are a newbie to firearms, ballistics, reloading etc.

Furthermore, there are folks that are quick studies than can be experts rapidly and there are others that can be involved in an activity most of their lives and only elevate their knowledge a bit over a stump.

dedogs · #7 08-22-2016, 04:01 PM

Thank you Ratbuster, you said that much better than I could. dedogs

dedogs · #8 08-22-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratbuster

They are stamped TTT which I have heard are comparable to LC from Taiwan. I did expand one neck to 20 cal, it thinned out to 016 so they will not chamber unless I turn

Is that rounded shoulder typical prior to fire forming when making 221 FB brass from 223?

Yes the rounded shoulder is typical and will disappear in 1-2 firings.
Your example of neck turned brass looks like you may be turning on to the shoulder more than is necessary. What is the angle on your cutter blade? dedogs

Dooger · #9 08-22-2016, 04:39 PM

Wow!.......

Ratbuster · #10 08-22-2016, 10:56 PM

Dedogg,

It is a 30 degree angle cutter which I use after FL sizing with the Hornady FL die. The die is a bit inconsistent in setting headspace measurement (shoulder bump), varying a few thousandths. The die contacts the shell holder firmly so I don't know what is going on there. Some of the shells show little or no turning into the neck. I did trim them all with a Giraud trimmer before turning.