Are All 'LC' .223/5.56 Brass Equal?

[Thumb]

I was wondering if all LC brass are the same or not. I know some are 5.56 and some .223 but are they the same? I go shooting with a couple friends of mine who shoot AR's and know that what they are shooting are new factory ammo, I'm the only one that reloads. The reason I'm asking is because I noticed that some of the LC brass has to be swagged while others do not have to be and I realize why that is. Just wanting to know other than some being 5.56 and some .223 is if one type is better than the other?

 

[cmillard]

lake city is a military contractor so it can take the pressure. lc is all I shoot in my .223

 

[243winxb]

You should read http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

If using mixed/range brass, i would Fl size, trim, and sort by weight.

The reaming/ swage of the primer pocket is just extra work.

They are the same to me.

 

[Thumb]

The brass I pick up are my friends brass so I know what they are and I do FL size, and all the other stuff also. I just want to know if the 5.56/NATO brass is better then the .223 brass or if they are the same other than the obvious like being annealed.

 

[Thumb]

OK, reading that article I guess there is a difference in throat and capacity between the two.

 

[243winxb]

No brass is the same. Its not formed on the same machine.

LC has scamp markings on the case head, so they know what machine produced it.

The military makes ammo to be fired 1 time. Its also tested so it holds up well in storage , over time.

Best brass i found , is Black Hill Match.

Scamp marks.

 

[ebb]

Thumb Please explain the statement about some LC brass being crimped and some is not and why some is crimped and some not. I was of the impression that all LC brass was crimped. Thank you

 

[JRS]

You can purchase new/virgin LC unprimed brass (no crimp).

 

[bulwaagh]

I seem to have differences in LC brass from year to year. When I use a load I put in my LC13 brass, it doesn't act the same as my other LC brass. That's probably a "duuh" moment, but I'd suggest sorting by year as well.

 

[ronemus]

The Lake City plant is run under contract for the DOD; the contractor must meet certain criteria established by the DOD. For many years the plant was run by Winchester, but switched to Federal several years ago IIRC; however, the same performance criteria are in effect. Theoretically, all LC brass should be the same regardless of the year of production, but the contractor is able to change the manufacturing processes as long as the performance criteria are met. I have noticed that LC brass is essentially the same for several years, but changes occasionally, presumably when process changes were implemented.

The LC contractor is obligated to meed the needs of DOD before all else, but is permitted to produce commercial products using excess capacity. All military ammunition uses crimps and staked primers, but commercial products may use either or none. Similarly, military brass will be headstamped 5.56 but commercial products may be 5.56 or .223. Some of the products sold to civilians may be lots that failed to meet the QA/QC standards that are mandated by the DOD.

 

[yotehater]

Even on same year LC the bunting stamps indicate different lots. Ive got several lots of differently stamped LC13 so I sort by bunting stamps.

 

[Webster]

I was wondering if all LC brass are the same or not. I know some are 5.56 and some .223 but are they the same? I go shooting with a couple friends of mine who shoot AR's and know that what they are shooting are new factory ammo, I'm the only one that reloads. The reason I'm asking is because I noticed that some of the LC brass has to be swagged while others do not have to be and I realize why that is. Just wanting to know other than some being 5.56 and some .223 is if one type is better than the other?

Not sure but the 5.56 may be the same brass but sized a little smaller to guarantee function in semi-auto and full auto gas operated weapons. .223 is usually bolt action guns.

 

[JRS]

LC Nato brass has a thicker web.

 

[msinc]

.........All military ammunition uses crimps and staked primers, but commercial products may use either or none.......

Nope, sorry, not true. Lake City 7.62X51 LR brass absolutely, positively DOES NOT have a crimped primer and it is produced for the military.

In response to the OP's question, I have tested/used everything from 1957 7.62 in my 308's and from 91 up to today's 5.56 in my 223's and either I cant shoot good enough to tell a difference, my guns wont or there really isn't enough to worry about. It all seems to need annealed, but other than that I cant find a difference. All that said, I still sort by year.

 

[divingin]

The Lake City plant is run under contract for the DOD; For many years the plant was run by Winchester, but switched to Federal several years ago IIRC;

Government owned, contractor operated. Started by Remington in 1941, who ran it until 1985. Switchover to Olin Corp (Winchester) in 1985, then ATK Techsystems (now Orbital ATK; parent company of Federal Cartridge) in 2001.

 

[Thumb]

Thanks for all your input guys. Looks like I may have some sorting ahead of me, lots of it!