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number_6
03-03-2002, 08:00 PM
Can I make 5.45x39 brass by cutting down 5.56 cases and full-length sizing them in M74 dies? Anyone tried this?

Now, if I could just find bullets...

Be seeing you.
Skip
03-03-2002, 08:23 PM
First of all the 5.56 rim is much thinner than 5.45 and the head is a bit smaller. This can create extraction problems.
number_6
03-03-2002, 08:29 PM
Damnit! :mad:

I can get 5.45 dies, but nothing else? That stinks.

Be seeing you.
JA
03-04-2002, 01:30 AM
Been there done that. www.huntingtons.com for the RCBS die set and CCI # 41 military primers.
Lee lube and size kit you will have to call them and special order one for .221" to resize .224" bullets.
I use new 222 Remington brass it is a lot less trimming after resizing them in the 5.45 dies than the longer 5.56 brass.
Hornady 68gr bullets resized in the Lee die.
Max loads for the 221 Remington Fireball cartridge with 70gr bullets.
Winchester and CCI primers gave slam fires so I switched to the CCI #41 military primers.
I have had no exstraction problems even though the rear of the cases swell up.
number_6
03-04-2002, 01:33 AM
Did your handload accuracy hold with commercial ammo? Looks like you've set me on the right track, though. Appreciate it!

Be seeing you.
JA
03-05-2002, 05:40 PM
I sent 5rds to a guy in Califorina that has a SSG-82 5.45 bolt action rifle. He said that is was the most accurate ammo he had shot. Better than Russian or RWS ammo.
number_6
03-05-2002, 06:45 PM
How many loads do you get out of your cases? The case bulging almost sounds like a pressure problem, but I haven't seen it personally (Yet!), so I don't know.

You're being of great help to me here and I appreciate it to no end.

Be seeing you.
JA
03-06-2002, 11:07 PM
I made up 100 cases and have only loaded them twice so far. Aside from the 5 I sent to the guy in Cal. I have not lost any cases yet due to splits,cracks,etc....
number_6
03-07-2002, 06:56 PM
That's all I needed to know. Thanks very much for the information. I'm going to pick up the M74 dies and some 222 brass soon and give this a try.

Be seeing you.
JA
03-08-2002, 03:50 PM
Don't forget you have to resize .224" bullets to .221". Lee will make a .221" lube and size kit for $25 but you have to call them and special order it. It takes 3-4 weeks to get one.
tom1263
03-14-2002, 11:23 PM
Well number 6, JA is extremely correct! On his advise, I have been reloading these rounds with supreme accuracy and no problems other than small
bulging at the case rear and some crater primers. (due to my mad scientist experiments with Hogdon Varget powder)

I've used these in my SSG82 and my friends SAR2....and no slam fires with Winchester primers.
Let me know how it goes.

Tom
number_6
03-15-2002, 06:41 PM
I sure will. Good thing is that Norma .222 Rem is actually cheap. Well, compared to other Norma brass. I'd be willing to bet that the machined case heads of Norma would cut down on the bulge somewhat. Dunno.


Well, I'm off to acquire dies, lube/size & such.

Report as soon as I crank some out. And reassemble my Mk II. Pictures at eleven. :)

Be seeing you.