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Author Topic: Finding a use for .223 blanks  (Read 763 times)

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Offline JRiddle

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Finding a use for .223 blanks
« on: July 10, 2009, 05:02:40 PM »
I have quite a few .223 blanks that have been taking up space for years.  I'm wondering what can they be used for?  I could get the powder out, but I don't know what it is, and round per round I don't know if it would be enough to push a bullet.  And then there are the primers, I sure could use some, but is it safe to remove a 'hot' primer?  I don't know of any use for the brass, other than recycle, as it has been crimped closed.  Any suggestions for something to do with these blanks would be appreciated.  JR
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2009, 06:18:13 PM »
I am not sure if the primer is crimped in or not. I would not try to push them out either way, but I know it isn't going to happen if they are crimped. If the are the type that has a cardboard insert - You could dump the powder and get a tapered expander ball for your die to push the crimp (neck) back out - reload with some safe loads and fire form to your chamber. If they are crimped like a shot gun shell - you could just fire them and straighten out the crimp, to salvage the brass. You would more than likely need to trim them and resize the neck to straighten out the wrinkles so to speak. Not the best way to get cases, but I think it would work.
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2009, 02:43:23 AM »
I had some that were around here for over 25 years just taking up space , was at a Mil rifle shoot some time back and was able to trade them for some bulk lead for casting .  ;D

stimpy
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Offline FW Conch

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2009, 02:50:57 AM »
I'm not an expert on anything, but I agree with "222", as he is very knowledgeable on these subjects.  Just shoot one, deprime it, see if your going to have ream the primer pocket, your going to have trim the case for length, maybe size the neck, & you may end up with a fireformed, useable case.  Only you can decide if those cases are worth all that effort !  It wouldn't be worth it to me !

I  "gar on tee" there is someone around this site that has already been through this & maybe we"ll hear from him ?  GOOD LOADING - GOOD SHOOTING !  :)

See, I knew it, stimpy can type faster than me also !  ;D
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2009, 02:56:42 AM »
Check the flash hole as many blanks have enlarged flash holes . If the head stamp says blank you might not want to take the chance of a less knowlegable shooter thinking they were blanks if you lost one/some .
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Offline JRiddle

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2009, 03:04:57 AM »
Thats a good point shootall...FWConch and 222, I don't think it'd be worth the trouble for the brass, I've got over 5,000 empties now, enough to last me a while.  I was just wanting to SOMETHING with them to get them out of my way.  I think I like Stimpy's idea best, trade em as is for something I do need.  Thanks for the input guys. JR
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Offline Savage

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2009, 08:56:13 AM »
OR--------you could get one of the golf ball launchers for your AR that uses blanks. I might consider a round of golf using one of those!   ;)
Savage
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Offline JRiddle

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2009, 11:38:14 AM »
That sounds cool, never even heard of one of those.  I'm going to look into that right now.   ;D  JR
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Offline mauser98us

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2009, 11:50:38 AM »
Not a good idea to use for hi pressure loads.I was informed by an ordanance worker years ago.that blanks were made from casings that did not pass inspection for use in hi pressure loadings. Whether this is true or not,I will err on the side of safety. The reasoning seems plausable.Shoot them for the noise fun factor and let em go.Even if you could salvage the powder,you have no idea what it is to come up with safe load data.Too much risk.
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Offline JRiddle

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2009, 12:33:59 PM »
Think I'm going with the golfball launcher idea, looks like they run about $30.  I've got buckets of golfballs that I've picked up from jobsites at golf courses, so ammo is not a problem.  Thanks for the idea Savage.  Mauser, I'll get the 'fun factor' out of em, and put em in the recycle bucket, thanks for that info.  JR
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2009, 12:40:57 PM »
I'm noyt sure of what the peak pressure of the blank loading with the blank adapter was when run throug our M16s but it was high enough to cycle the action, the powder I am unsure of the makeup, but our weapons were absolutly filthy after firing blanks.
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Offline Savage

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2009, 03:16:09 PM »
At last a legitimate use for golf balls!! It looked like fun to me, but alas, I have neither golf balls or blanks!!  Let us know if you break par---------- :D Bet you'd get a lot of unwelcome attention on the golf course with that thing----- ;D
Savage
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Offline JRiddle

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2009, 05:39:23 PM »
I fully expect I'd be allowed to play through   :o  JR
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2009, 06:44:33 AM »
most bottle neck blanks i've seen had long necks , longer than standard loads .
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Offline 1sourdough

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2009, 04:23:27 PM »
 I agree, most have long necks and are not easily reloadable. I traded some belted 7.62 blanks off at a pawn shop for some credit.
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Offline Drilling Man

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #15 on: July 13, 2009, 04:46:00 PM »
  MANY years ago i came by a cardboard box of .223 "fired" blanks.  I was using a bench grinder to grind off the crimped end, then i trimmed the caseings to length, and reloaded them.  They worked just fine.  In fact, i was shooting a .222 - 12 ga combo gun a lot those days, that i was loading in bullets i swaged out of empty 22lr caseings.  I turned a lot of those blanks into .222's, to be loaded with those home swaged bullets.

  I was doing so many of them, it became mechanical!  Grab one from the box, grind the end off, and throw it into another box!!  I'd do them until i couldn't stand it any more, then take what i had done to the trimmer...

  Anyway, durning one of those "mechanical moments", i grabbed one, started grinding it, and it WENT OFF in my fingers!!!  NO glove or anything!  Damn!!  It hurt like hell, and my fingers "buzzed" and my "ears rang" for hours after, but there was no permanent damage...  lol

  DM
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Offline Fooler

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Re: Finding a use for .223 blanks
« Reply #16 on: July 13, 2009, 06:11:36 PM »
.223 blanks in an Ar-15 work great with one of the Bloom Automatic Golf Ball Launchers, they are cool.
It may not have the range of a mortar, but they are very portable,cheap ( $30-40 ), and cool to play golf with it           out in the hay patch.
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