I just got a shipment of  1000 once-fired 5.56/.223 brass and most of it was LC 09 with the Nato cross.
I have a question about the headstamps on Lake City 09 brass.
  Some have LC 09 with the Nato symbol and others have that plus one to four  1/32" diameter dots punched in the case head.
  What is the significance of these punched dots?
 Does it signify the cartridge case batch?
 Does it signify the type of load - armor piercing,tracer,etc.?

 Hope someone can explain it to me.

Thanks!

The dots are for the octal numbering system used at Lake City as part of the small Caliber Ammunition Modernization Program (SCAMP).  A numerical value is assigned to different positions around the case headstamp and the values are added together to give a number that indicates the station on which that particular cartridge case was produced.

I can't believe people notice this type of stuff.  It's an interesting bit of trivia, but good God!!!

Go shooting already, and quit studying your brass!

I had the same question yesterday and I only asked it because someone else mentioned it in another post and piqued my curiosity.  I think it is an interesting concept and it expains why the dots move around the case head depending on where it was made.

Ya learn something new every day.

Thank you,Molon !!

Da nada.