FC brass with LC/NATO head stamp

[tooter]

How is the physical consistency and long term load durability of this brass? Acquired a bunch of 308 range pick-up cases and just want to get some insight before prepping for bolt action load development. Are they truly LC-NATO high quality cases?

Thanks, tooter

 

[sbhooper]

I was told that LC brass can be a crap shoot, as it is put out by whoever gets that particular contract. They are not their own entity. They are probably OK, though.

 

[Cold Bore]

How is the physical consistency and long term load durability of this brass? Acquired a bunch of 308 range pick-up cases and just want to get some insight before prepping for bolt action load development. Are they truly LC-NATO high quality cases?

I have a bunch that began life as M852 Military Match ammo.

It's been through a few rounds of reloading, with no signs of wanting to quit, and assembles into loads that shot Master/High Master Class scores at 600 MR prone matches when I held up my end of the equation.

If you are talking about doing brass prep, you probably have what you need to check it. Put a sampling through some measurements, load up a few, and see what it tells you.

I'm betting you'll be happy with the results.

 

[waldo1979]

Usually when you have problems with Lake City brass is because it's once fired through a machine gun. I use Lake City LR brass originally obtained through CMP as XM118LR. Mind you that it takes a lot of work to get these to shoot the way you'd want them to. Flash hole debur, primer pocket and neck turn, etc.

I use Lake City over Lapua because of cost. A bench rest match only takes ~50-60 rounds (less if you're better than I am). Eventually you start culling brass and need 2-3 times that amount (60x3 = 180). Four boxes of Lapua brass would cost (4x$60 = $240). You can get 1,000 piece of LC LR brass for that.

If you're picking brass up off the range make sure you sort by head stamp. That makes a huge difference.

 

[Cold Bore]

Usually when you have problems with Lake City brass is because it's once fired through a machine gun.

In general, yes.

But match ammo doesn't come linked, so is not fed through machine guns.

 

[mic2377]

I have had good luck with LC 308 brass. The consistency is not quite there as with Lapua, but the durability/metallurgy is excellent. I have several batches going on 6+ loadings of being fired through a 308 AR, with no sign of loose pockets or case head separation. The case rims have also held up excellent - quite the testament given the violent loading cycle of an AR.

FWIW my 308 AR shoots well (1-1.25" 100 yd average, with many 0.75" groups) for a semi-auto but is not up to the accuracy standards of other bench bolt guns here, so I am not quite putting it up to the scrutiny of a proper bench gun.