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Posted: 10/1/2011 3:30:02 PM EDT
[#1]
read
eta: cliff's notes....thin webs and enlarged primer pockets. I load it for bolt guns, but stay away from it for gas guns. YMMV |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 3:38:10 PM EDT
[#2]
Now this just applies to the large FC lettered brass and not the small letter stuff?
Or does every piece have to be measured...? |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 3:50:37 PM EDT
[#3]
As near as I can determine, all the FC brass made in about the last 4 years has thick webs and should be safe to reload. Some people still complain that the heads are soft and suffer from expanded primer pockets after the first time fired.
If you buy brass of unknown vintage, it's simply a crap shoot. I would not rely on the size of the lettering, and I would not expend the effort to prep to load if the primers are crimped. |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 3:56:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
As near as I can determine, all the FC brass made in about the last 4 years has thick webs and should be safe to reload. Some people still complain that the heads are soft and suffer from expanded primer pockets after the first time fired. If you buy brass of unknown vintage, it's simply a crap shoot. I would not rely on the size of the lettering, and I would not expend the effort to prep to load if the primers are crimped. Send any questionable pieces to me....I know just what to do with it. 
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Posted: 10/1/2011 4:32:55 PM EDT
[#5]
The old brass was crap the newer brass seems ok. Either way it all is oddly short. If you ever come across a FC brass that is long I would throw it out for sure.
Also in the old brass the primers are ridiculously loose also. |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 4:36:07 PM EDT
[#6]
I have been so badly burned by FC brass I simply will not use or recommend it.
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Posted: 10/1/2011 4:36:16 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
As near as I can determine, all the FC brass made in about the last 4 years has thick webs and should be safe to reload. Some people still complain that the heads are soft and suffer from expanded primer pockets after the first time fired. If you buy brass of unknown vintage, it's simply a crap shoot. I would not rely on the size of the lettering, and I would not expend the effort to prep to load if the primers are crimped. Send any questionable pieces to me....I know just what to do with it. Not a problem; I sure as hell won't buy used Federal rifle brass for .223 Remington, and I would think twice about other rifle cartridges. I have a few hundred that I bought around '98 or '99 that I shot and they are set back for emergency use. I've never measured them. |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 5:14:45 PM EDT
[#8]
First primer pockets to go from my assorted lots is Federal. A few after second firing and others still hanging tight after 5th firing.
When through 5k assorted that will be the end of Federal. If'n it's not LC, Winchester or LaPua I don't want it in the house. |
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Posted: 10/1/2011 6:59:09 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
read eta: cliff's notes....thin webs and enlarged primer pockets. I load it for bolt guns, but stay away from it for gas guns. YMMV That was a long time ago. My experience since then has been that the 223 FC brass I acquire have the thin webs. This includes the FC with a date and a crimp. So few over .185 that I no longer measure them. Not worth the trouble for me. I no longer use FC rifle brass. The loose primer pockets in 30-30, 308, and 338 WM made me steer clear. I continue to use FC pistol brass, I find it to be as good as any. The rifle brass I leave for everyone who wants to use it. |
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Posted: 10/2/2011 3:00:25 AM EDT
[#10]
Don't have much experience with the FC .223 brass but I've been reloading the FC M1A .308 brass for a little while now with good results. I've been getting 5 reloads out of it before I toss it no matter what. YMMV
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Posted: 10/2/2011 3:04:48 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted: As near as I can determine, all the FC brass made in about the last 4 years has thick webs and should be safe to reload. Some people still complain that the heads are soft and suffer from expanded primer pockets after the first time fired. If you buy brass of unknown vintage, it's simply a crap shoot. I would not rely on the size of the lettering, and I would not expend the effort to prep to load if the primers are crimped. I agree with this but since the cases aren't year stamped all my FC brass goes straight to scrap bucket. Not like I get a lot of FC brass anymore anways, everyone and their cousin seems to reload or at least saves their brass |
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Posted: 10/2/2011 3:32:21 AM EDT
[#12]
I end up posting this in about every FC brass thread. I guess this one shouldn't be any different.
I have been having very good luck with the newer "FC 223" marked brass. I've heard that Federal took over the Lake City plant several years ago. Now all the brass looks the same once it is sectioned. 
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Posted: 10/2/2011 6:11:49 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Quoted:
As near as I can determine, all the FC brass made in about the last 4 years has thick webs and should be safe to reload. Some people still complain that the heads are soft and suffer from expanded primer pockets after the first time fired. If you buy brass of unknown vintage, it's simply a crap shoot. I would not rely on the size of the lettering, and I would not expend the effort to prep to load if the primers are crimped. I agree with this but since the cases aren't year stamped all my FC brass goes straight to scrap bucket. Not like I get a lot of FC brass anymore anways, everyone and their cousin seems to reload or at least saves their brass Yea, I toss it back or throw any that hitch hikes home with me into the scrap bucket. I have a 8 pound powder canister where I throw the LC brass. Maybe one day I'll decrimp what I have. All you folks that want to load FC no matter what need to find the photos of Keith_J's blow up. That might change your minds about whether it's worth the risk to use unmeasured brass. |
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Posted: 10/2/2011 7:39:32 AM EDT
[#14]
Federal has not been a problem for me in 223/5.56. Old internet photo > http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n420/joe1944usa/223web.jpg
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