Very fast said:
Hello: Does anyone know if using 5.56 brass will allow for more velocity because it's stronger than .223 brass?
Thanks.
Great article.
Lake City and commercial contract 5.56 ammunition is made harder in the base to better withstand being fired in larger diameter military chambers.
And because many people do not understand that NATO/European/CIP pressure taking standards are different they think the 5.56 cartridge is loaded to higher pressures. I have the military milspec requirements for commercial contract 5.56 ammunition and they are 52,000 CUP or 55,000 PSI. This is the same exact pressure as CIP NATO standards taken at the case mouth at 60,000 psi.
What makes Lake City 5.56 brass superior to commercial .223 brass is its hardness and base web design. Below in the center of the photo is a Federal .223 case and on the left and right are Lake City 5.56 cases.
The photo below is my scrap brass bucket and it is full of "ONCE" fired Federal .223/5.56 cases fired in a AR15 rifle with over sized primer pockets unfit for reloading. This brass was softer than Lake City and fired in a chamber .002 larger in diameter and lasted just one firing.
So to answer your question Lake City brass is very high quality and has more internal case capacity than most other cases, "BUT" it is still designed for 52,000 CUP or 55,000 PSI. I have two AR15 rifles and a bolt action Savage .223 and I do not load my ammo hot, I load my brass well below max to save wear and tear on my brass and rifles.
Your brass will tell you when it has reached its pressure limits because the brass will begin to stretch and flow, "AFTER" you have over loaded it and pushed the brass PAST it limits and it becomes junk.
Below overloaded .223/5.56 brass fired in a AR15 rifle
Below a workup load showing pressure increasing left to right.
Now you will need to decide what kind of case life you want from your brass. I take care of my Lake City brass and do not abuse it and it lasts a very long time.
I also drive a four cylinder Ford Escape and enjoy very good gas mileage, and got over hot rodding a long time ago.
Lake city brass is built Ford Truck Tough.
P.S. Forgive CatShooter he has a Rockwell hardness tester and "FORGOT" to post the hardness figures for the brands of cases........AGAIN!