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Buzznrose
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.223 Brass Choices
- Thread starter Buzznrose
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Buzznrose
Member
Thanks again. Based on these replies, I think my plan is to learn on PMC and LC and when I get the process consistent, I’ll buy a couple hundred new Starline cases.
I have no plans to get to the place where I need the best match brass possible.
I’ve also been going back and forth about just buying a case of Black Hills MK-262 but I really want to get to the point of loading my own accurate ammo.
I’ll be shooting this stuff out of a $600 rifle with probably a $600 scope, so that’s some perspective…
Thanks again everyone!
I have no plans to get to the place where I need the best match brass possible.
I’ve also been going back and forth about just buying a case of Black Hills MK-262 but I really want to get to the point of loading my own accurate ammo.
I’ll be shooting this stuff out of a $600 rifle with probably a $600 scope, so that’s some perspective…
Thanks again everyone!
AJC1
Member
If I needed brass I'd go buy 10 boxes of Norma loaded and use those. I've done the same with 308 before...
MarshallDodge
Member
Scam alert!!!It seems to be out there…I have no idea if that is a good price.
Lapua Rifle Brass For Sale - Lapua Brass Store
brassstore-usa.com
I don't think that anyone mentioned it yet, but Federal .223 brass is notorious for premature loose primer pockets. You can't go wrong with LC. but beware that it might have crimped primer pockets that you will have to deal with.
kmw1954
Member
Did a unscientific test way back with 6 different headstamps. Of those groups the LC shot the worst and the Norma I had shot best followed by PMC. Then with both of those there are no crimps to deal with.
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Buzznrose
Member
Sorry. I’ll delete
CarJunkieLS1
Member
Yup its a pretty known issue with FC brass. I mentioned it in my first post. Again thanks for mentioning it again though. Because I'd hate for someone to do all the prep work for it and just lose them after firing them one more time.
W.E.G.
Member
I have seen more case head separations with Lake City 5.56 brass than any other headstamp.
But, I've probably seen way more Lake City brass shot than any other headstamp.
Don't fall in love with your brass. Especially if you are shooting high-pressure loads in a semi-auto.
But, I've probably seen way more Lake City brass shot than any other headstamp.
Don't fall in love with your brass. Especially if you are shooting high-pressure loads in a semi-auto.
W.E.G.
Member
Federal brass is notoriously soft.
PPU (Prvi Partisan) is also bad for having soft case heads. Probably the worst of any I've encountered. After a couple firings, some small percentage PPU won't even insert into my LEE shell holder. I can look at the rims and see they are no longer circular. Instead, wavy and misshapened.
PPU (Prvi Partisan) is also bad for having soft case heads. Probably the worst of any I've encountered. After a couple firings, some small percentage PPU won't even insert into my LEE shell holder. I can look at the rims and see they are no longer circular. Instead, wavy and misshapened.
Anchorite
Member
Any particular years/runs of LC brass? Or just across the board with case head separations?
I’ve noted that some runs the primer pockets expand after one reloading cycle, leading me to believe that run was softer brass.
W.E.G.
Member
I didn't study the year of the various I've seen. But probably about fifty. Over the course of 30 years. A lot of them on only their first reload. A head separation is inconvenient usually. But if you've experienced them, the worst that ever happens is half the case remains stuck in the chamber, and becomes a bit of a chore to remove. I carry a nylon chamber brush on a short flex-rod for snatching the front half of the case out of chambers. I've yet to have one not come out immediately with that tool.
Palladan44
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I like LC. You know they're only fired once when you remove that robust crimp. Go ahead and give em the full treatment (because brass prep is a PITA anyways) Trim to desired length all at once. You can always separate out headstamp years to differentiate loadings if you wanted to.
Good for several loadings before any further action required provided the loads aren't ridiculous or really working the heck out of the shoulder more than necessary.
Good for several loadings before any further action required provided the loads aren't ridiculous or really working the heck out of the shoulder more than necessary.
Highland Lofts
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- 3,037
My grandson does the shooting, I use what ever I have no matter what the head stamp is.
If I were loading for precise target shooting or hunting rounds I would narrow it down to just one head stamp. I probably have three - five gallon buckets if 223 brass.
If I were loading for precise target shooting or hunting rounds I would narrow it down to just one head stamp. I probably have three - five gallon buckets if 223 brass.
MarshallDodge
Member
If you are only getting one more firing out of FC brass, you are loading them pretty hot.
I can typically get 4 or 5 firings with a standard 223 load.
The nice part is the FC brass is trimmed short and because the brass is soft, it doesn't require annealing. All you have to do is get rid of the crimp.
W.E.G.
Member
SAAMI spec top pressure for 5.56 is same as most magnum centerfire cartridges.
I ususally run my 5.56 handloads a little bit below the max, because I've seeen countless failures where people were pushing it for pressures. I like to leave a little headroom.
NATO spec ammo has to meet certain velocity standards. NATO spec ammo that meets velocity standards is running real close to max SAAMI pressure.
If you really want to push to full 5.56 SAAMI pressure, consider using NEW brass, and better-yet - use new, crimped-primer brass.
By the time you are shooting brass that has already been fired once, you are at a disadvantage toward reliability.
I ususally run my 5.56 handloads a little bit below the max, because I've seeen countless failures where people were pushing it for pressures. I like to leave a little headroom.
NATO spec ammo has to meet certain velocity standards. NATO spec ammo that meets velocity standards is running real close to max SAAMI pressure.
If you really want to push to full 5.56 SAAMI pressure, consider using NEW brass, and better-yet - use new, crimped-primer brass.
By the time you are shooting brass that has already been fired once, you are at a disadvantage toward reliability.
I think my record is 3.
The cause of the loose pockets is the thickness of the web. Softer brass would require a greater percentage of copper which is more expensive than zinc. If they are cheating on web thickness, I doubt that they are doing that.
I had to verify this:
LC:
FC:
MarshallDodge
Member
For the most part 24.5 Varget w/ 68/69 HPBT's. When I took those pictures I was contemplating prepping a batch of 90-some once-fired crimped FC brass that I had acquired. It was beautiful looking brass, and it broke my heart to dump them in the scrap bucket.
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Buzznrose
Member
Dang…what a bunch or depressing information. .223 Brass doesn’t seem to last very long. Then a lot of work just to get it where it needs to be.
Makes me wonder if I should just buy Black Hills ammo and call it good.
Makes me wonder if I should just buy Black Hills ammo and call it good.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
Well the reason 223 brass don't last long, is like already mentioned. The pressure of it people are loading to, 5.56 pressures vs 223 pressures, and the rifle it's being used in. In bolt actions with good brass prep, not overworking the brass, and not running excessive pressures I'd expect good brass LC, PMC, RP range pickups to last 5 or 6 firings. Lapua, Norma, and maybe Starline, I'd expect to last 8-10 if not more.
If these are shot in a standard off the shelf AR-15 then the brass life will go down some. They are just hard on brass. They are made to function reliably brass care or keeping brass pristine wasn't even a consideration.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
When I used FC brass I don't anymore because it's trash, I loaded any 55gr or 53gr bullet with 24.5 H335 and a Tula Small Rifle Primer. When I can use that same load for any other brass I've picked up and it last 3 or 4 firings if not more and FC only lasts one more (2 total because it was range pickup) it's not a load or pressure problem, it's a brass problem. I'm not doing all the prep work just to get 1 more firing from it. I sort it out, and trade it off when I get a bunch of it.
Anchorite
Member
I‘m right there with ya….but I will say that based on my personal observations the overall quality of 223 brass (in particular) has been all over the board for at least the last decade. I really think that once we committed to the GWT and sent troops overseas for the first Gulf War and every conflict thereafter, we’ve seen brass quality decline. Just a hunch, but the MIC might have something to do with that.
AJC1
Member
There are a bunch of other loadings that use this brass, so there isn't exactly escape from dealing with all the prep. 20 practicle, 25-45 sharps, 6x45. 300 bo, 300 hammer and I'm sure others. It's a very commonly used case and having a big pile helps.
