I've been trying to build up a supply of 5.56 by taking advantage of a few sales that I have seen. I just bought 10 boxes from Midway that were advertised as overuns on an FBI contract - 62gr spire point, looks like a hollow point but with a very sharp nose. I have noticed that almost every round that I have looked at has 1 to 3-4 small dents in the case - no sharp creases or anything...just what you might expect a case would look like if tossed around in a bucket with other ammo banging into it. Obviously it wouldn't  be something I would want to shoot of a dent had been made in such a way that the bottom was "creased" from the impact that caused the dent but what about the rough handling dents? Would this type of dent be considered strictly cosmetic? I ask becuse I do not like the idea of a case rupture caused by a weakened are on the case caused by the rough handling.

How would one determine if such a case is safe to fire by the casual shooter who doesn't have years of experience and thousands of rounds through his firearms? Might there be a web page that addresses this subject, hopefully with a few go/no go pictures?

I know this is a pretty basic question but I believe there might be more to the question than meets the eye and I'd like to take advantage of some of the larger bulk packed sales where I just know I'd run into the same thing.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

http://http://dc436.4shared.com/img/xmFhrum2/dents.jpg" />

Pictures would help alot

If the shoulder is dented that would worry me, but if it just has small dents in the case body I would shoot it.
Again Pictures would help us here to see the severity of the dents

Edit: after seeing the pics, I would shoot it

I've shot way worse, shoot it.

+1

+100

Shoot them!

It is this: " Would this type of dent be considered strictly cosmetic............." and so shoot it.
In other words and if it helps, what I look for is:
If the dents are so severe that the cartridge would have trouble chambering- don't shoot it.
That includes especially the neck and bullet- dented or canted off to one side- don't.
If somehow (I've never seen this) the primer or the base is mangled- don't.

If the dents are minor like the ones you have and don't effect the over all "shape" of the cartridge–– Shoot them!

looks gtg
looks like regular military ammo to me

I would shoot it.

Shoot it and the dents will magically disappear.

Thanks to all who responded...I'm more comfortable about shooting it now