I was loading some 223 today and noticed my 7 1/2 small rifle primers were to big for my 5.56 brass. The brass is Prvi Partizan and made in some Serbia I think. Anyway, is anyone else loading this brass and if so what primers are you using? Will the 6 1/2 work? Also is the primer hole different in the 223 versus the 5.56? thanks.

Are you sure your brass doesn't have a military primer crimp? If so you will need to remove the crimp. They make lots of tools to remove it.

I haven't used that brass so I'm not 100% sure but you may need to check.

I'm a regular at this site. There is pic of what it looks like a few posts down.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...rue#Post1039635

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/squeezeplay/index.asp

The ring around the primer is the crimp holding the primer in place. The red color is a sealant to keep anything from penetrating and killing the primer charge. That's why military ammo is unusually good umpteen years from now.