Weird band on case, LC 308

Bought a big can of LC94 Match from CMP at a price I couldn't refuse- they've all got the same band. Nobody I know has ever seen anything like it, either, but it doesn't seem to affect performance.

I seem to remember something about some military "match" ammunition which had this band so soldiers in the field could tactilely identify the match rounds and ostensibly not use them on human targets.

I can't find a reference to confirm, however.

It's M852 which is loaded with a 168gr Sierra HPBTM bullet intended for competition. The cannelure is a cue that these cartridges are not authorized for combat use (says so on the box).

Ty

Or, maybe it's a cue to a sniper that he's using "the right stuff."

Or, maybe it's a cue to a sniper that he's using "the right stuff."

Click to expand...

Actually, he'd be using M118 (173gr FMJ) or M118LR (175gr Sierra HPBTM).

The bad part about the cannalure on the case is that it is in the area of where there is the potential for case head separations occur!

Is that a crack running along the side of the case? it originates in one of the cannulatures...

The loaded ammo has a boat-tail hollow point, and the cannalure designates it as "Not for Combat".

The bad part about the cannalure on the case is that it is in the area of where there is the potential for case head separations occur!

Click to expand...

That is what I have always worryed about, but after multiple reloads I have never had a problem, its pretty good match brass (Much better than Fed. GMM, IMHO)

I had a batch of about 2500 of those that I shot 4-5 times each through the M1A. I think they're ok to reload

BUT

I think it's important that you use a cartridge headspace gage to set your FL sizing die. You want to bump the shoulder back just a little 0.002-0.003". Mine were all out of the same lot, but I had a batch that cracked at the cannelure after 4 reloads (two of them completely separated during a rapid fire string at a match--fortunately, both extracted on their own). After that, I bought a case gage and it turns out I was setting the shoulder back by 0.005-0.006". I also got nervous at that point and tossed the remaining 100 cases I had left.

I think they're ok to reload, but are more prone to separating.

The bad part about the cannalure on the case is that it is in the area of where there is the potential for case head separations occur!

Click to expand...

Of course the US Military doesn't care because it only requires it to work once.