Shortcut - 5.56 case ----> .300 AAC Blackout?

General Firearms Reloading & Ammunition
1

Was curious if anyone came up with a shortcut to reforming 5.56 brass into .300 AAC blackout.

It takes about a minute to use a powered case trimmer to grind down a 5.56 case to proper length. I’m sitting on a few five gallon buckets of brass and would like to get through the case prep in this lifetime. :jester:

What about just lopping off the top and then grinding down?

Curious if anyone’s come up with a workable shorcut.

2

I’m not sure why it takes a minute to do this job. I cut down 100 brand new Winchester 223 cases to 300 Whisper using a Dillon case trimmer and a Rockchucker press. I could easily do 10/min. I’ll see if I can find a picture of the setup.

After cutting the cases, I ran them through a sizing die and primed them. I had no issues.

Edit: Check out this thread on nfatalk:
http://nfatalk.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1151
No4Mk1t lives near me and he helped me make my 300 Whisper brass from the 223 cases.

Edit 2: Okay, maybe not 10/min, but pretty quick.

3

Since my time is somewhat limited I sent mine off to one of the guys that process for $.08-10/ea

4

Well, I don’t have the budget for a dillon case trimmer, so I had to take the economical route.

I’m using a Dremel that’s clamped into a jig that I made out of scrap wood. It holds the dremel head at the three o’ clock position so I can use it like a mini grinder. Across from the tool head, I have fence that allows me to make a consistent cut. Since the Dremel is a high-RPM / low torque tool, I cut into the brass until I’ve made it through the wall and then rotate the brass into the cuttofff wheel. That is, I don’t push the brass all the way through. If you do, it can send the brass flying. (Just like ripping with a fence on a table saw.)

The fence is set up so that it cuts the brass to 1.370. After sizing, the brass stretches to at least 1.378. For the next batch I am going to try cutting to 1.360. The more you cut the first time, the faster you can make the final trim.

I know it’s not a huge improvement, but it takes me 30 seconds a pop.

5

Yup, that’s the idea. If you could post a pic of your jig/setup, would be appreciated.

6

Will do. I’m planning on doing another hundred tomorrow, so I’ll be sure to take pictures.