.223 brass identification, and opinions sought...

[Ed333]

I am new to .223, have acquired a rifle I want to try precision reloading for, and it came with a lot of once fired brass. I have sorted the brass by headstamp, and am not sure what I have. In terms of quantity, it starts with:
1- G.F.L. (Fiocchi?)
2- F. C. (maybe F. G.)
3- W.C.C.
4- Hornady
5- R-P (Remington Peters I assume)
6- something totally unreadable to my eyes...

Looking to find out (a) what I have, and (b) opinions as to relative quality of the different brands, if there is any I should just toss out, etc. btw, I have ordered 100 new Lapua cases, and maybe I am engaged in false economy by even messing with this other brass. My assumption has been that sticking to one brand on a given day is going to assist in the load development process, by removing one variable, but I do not know how much brass selection has to do with ultimate accuracy.

 

[DeadEyeDick45]

This aught to help you.
http://www.igman.com/ammunition/codes/

 

[CharlieNC]

There is probably a significant capacity difference between many of the brands, so the optimum powder charge will also differ. There is a comparative chart on the 223 load page here. Lapua is good, and I also like Lake City which you can buy as once fired or processed ready to load.

 

[bigedp51]

I am new to .223, have acquired a rifle I want to try precision reloading for, and it came with a lot of once fired brass. I have sorted the brass by headstamp, and am not sure what I have. In terms of quantity, it starts with:
1- G.F.L. (Giulio Fiocchi, Lecco, Italy)
2- F. C. (Federal Cartridge Corp) with two other possibilities.
3- W.C.C. (Western/Winchester Cartridge Company
4- Hornady
5- R-P (Remington Peters I assume)
6- something totally unreadable to my eyes...

Looking to find out (a) what I have, and (b) opinions as to relative quality of the different brands, if there is any I should just toss out, etc. btw, I have ordered 100 new Lapua cases, and maybe I am engaged in false economy by even messing with this other brass. My assumption has been that sticking to one brand on a given day is going to assist in the load development process, by removing one variable, but I do not know how much brass selection has to do with ultimate accuracy.

Buy once fired Lake City cases to save money or buy Lapua brass and toss all the other brass above in a coffee can in case you get a AR15 and need blasting ammo.

With the mixed brass you have above you will not have the uniformity you would with Lapua or Lake City military cases.

 

[M-61]

http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes#I

 

[Ed333]

I will order some more lapua, thanks to all....looks like a lot of this was bargain purchase stuff...the F.C. being Prvi Partizan

 

[LCazador]

Your post started with ' I want to precision load for'. With that I'd say throw out all that brass and go with your thought of buying Lapua and starting off with that. Quality brass is always one of the best ways to start precision reloading! The three B's always ring true for precision, bullets, brass, and barrels!!

 

[CatShooter]

I will order some more lapua, thanks to all....looks like a lot of this was bargain purchase stuff...the F.C. being Prvi Partizan

"F C" is Federal Cartridge.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

tl:dr

223/5.56 brass is SO plentiful and SO cheap....there's no reason to use any of the once fired stuff in a bolt gun. just use the lapua you bought...and you'll be fine.

you have to watch for crimped primer pockets, watch the rims for damage from auto loaders, and have to prep them completely, and clean them.....might as well save the time and effort and buy lapua