Opinion please: I have come into a large quantity of 223/556
Ammo but it is all fmj. Would it be possible (as in reasonably safe) to pull the fmj with an RCBS puller die and put the same weight soft points with the existing powder or is that absolutely crazy?
Not out of the question.
by Hoot 
, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, July 23, 2018, 19:45 (2316 days ago) @ stonewalrus
Problem is trying to positively identify the powder. Safer to reduce the charge on each case by mebee 10% and shooting as fodder.
Opinion please: I have come into a large quantity of 223/556
by Cherokee , Medina, Ohio, Monday, July 23, 2018, 21:39 (2316 days ago) @ stonewalrus
If you are going to shoot the altered ammo as fodder, why not just shoot the FMJ as fodder and save a lot of work ?
Opinion please: I have come into a large quantity of 223/556
by Skgrips 
, Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 07:28 (2315 days ago) @ stonewalrus
If any of your 556 is Federal or Lake City, Id be interested in buying some.
So then...
Before you begin the very labor intensive project of converting ball ammo to "Mexican Match" you need to answer a couple of questions.
Why do you want to reload this ammo with soft points in the first place? What kind of ball is it? M193 or Green Tip. What is a "large"quantity? Most important is what do you plan on doing with this ammo? etc...
Keep in mind that the world is awash with high quality 5.56mm ammunition priced at historically low levels. Most of the time it is available so cheaply that it doesn't make sense to reload unless you place no value on your time.
Also, if it is US M193 it is totally acceptable as SD ammo within a 100 yards for sure. Rules of engagement for you are different that for military and regardless of the situation if you shoot somebody over 50 yards away chances are high you will be charged and convicted of murder.
Personally, if you want soft point bullets, I'd get a brass catcher for your carbine and just shoot up all the ball. Then crank up the Dillon and have at it. You can then be confident in a superior product that will meet your specific needs.
Cheers,
Byron
Byron said it best.
by Rob Leahy , Prescott, Arizona, Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 15:17 (2315 days ago) @ Byron
It's always a good thing to have a couple thousand rounds of spare 5.56. Practice practice, practice. Take a 3 or 5 day carbine course.
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Of the Troops & For the Troops
Again, rational management of the asset! Byron is right.
by Hobie , Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 20:25 (2315 days ago) @ Byron
.
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Sincerely,
Hobie
If it's not what you want...
by matt/pa , Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 10:46 (2314 days ago) @ stonewalrus
Then sell it and buy what it is you want. I think you'll come out way ahead from a time-value perspective.
Just my $0.02
Matt