How do you recognize military brass???

[45acp]

This may sound like a dumb question... but, here goes. How do you identify military brass with a crimped primer pocket? Is there a particular headstamping or is it visually obvious? Sorry for the ignorance but, this is what the forum is about. thanks

[Ricciardelli]

The crimped primer and the headstamp tell it all...

[45acp]

what does a crimped primer look like??? what headstamp idicates military brass?

[Ricciardelli]

Just about every reloading manual on the market has pictures. And, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...

[jcoyoung]

NATO (read Military) brass can be identified by the NATO cross (looks like a plus with a circle) on the headstamp. There may be more to it, so anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Some military brass will be Berdan primed (two small flash holes) instead of Boxer primed (reloadable, one flash hole). American ammo is typically Boxer primed.

Jason

------------------
"Ray guns don't vaporize Zorbonians, Zorbonians vaporize Zorbonians" The Far Side

[Grayfox]

U.S. Military brass usually will not bear the cartridge designation such as .308, 7.62, .45 acp etc. Instead it will be marked with the manufacturers ID and last two digits of the year. I have .45acp brass marked WCC 95 which means Winchester (maybe Western, I can't remember)Cartridge Company made in 1995. I also have some .308 Win marked LC 83 which translates to Lake City Arsenal made in 1983.
Somebody here might have the list of maufacterer codes, a little help please?

------------------
Strength is the outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness. H.G. Wells The Time Machine

[Banzai]

Grayfox, you hit the cartridge right on the headstamp!!

Tom


------------------
Remember, no matter where you go, there you are!

[PumpBlast]

You'll know which ones are military when you try to prime the brass without reaming the primer pockets!! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had to deal with a stuck primer!

[sharpsrifle]

Sometimes, instead of a ring stamped around the primer pocket, you'll see 3 or 4 prick marks. I've only seen it on foreign ammo (mostly chinese made .223 and 7.62x39mm).

------------------
Regards, Sharps.