Head stamps on 9mm Brass

RugerSteve · March 25, 2015, 04:17 PM

I have cleaned another batch of brass and was separating brands. Most of them are "R-P". What brand is that? Also have "F C, which I assume is Federal? Also have Winchester, and a lot of misc, like Speer, Tulamo, Hornidy, Blazer, etc.

F. Guffey · March 25, 2015, 04:30 PM

Remington Peters then there is Federal Fartridge/Case, at one time there was TW, TW was operated by Federal, The T stood for Twin as in Twin Cities. When Federal started operating the Twin City arsenal they only loaded shot gun (before they started operating the TW arsenal).

F. Guffey

RugerSteve · March 26, 2015, 12:16 AM

I have run across a few FC stamps with NT next to it. Does this mean NATO?

chris in va · March 26, 2015, 12:46 AM

I believe NT stands for 'non toxic', meaning the primers use something else other than lead styphnate.

They are notorious for being difficult to reload.

higgite · March 26, 2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

I have run across a few FC stamps with NT next to it. Does this mean NATO?

NT means non-toxic.

This is the headstamp symbol that identifies NATO spec ammo.

As in:

livingintx · March 26, 2015, 08:00 AM

A handy list of headstamp codes from the International Ammunition Association, Inc.

Headstamp Codes

F. Guffey · March 26, 2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

.

This is the head stamp symbol that identifies NATO spec ammo.

That is also the symbol reloaders assume SAAMI uses in their drawings of case dimensions. SAAMI uses the symbol for chamber dimensions because the chamber has head space.

F. Guffey

F. Guffey · March 26, 2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

I have run across a few FC stamps with NT next to it. Does this mean NATO?

After the NT case is fired it means the primer pocket could be small primer size and the flash hole could be larger in diameter.

F. Guffey

RugerSteve · March 26, 2015, 05:50 PM

So do I need to sort out the NATO designated cases, or will they prime ok? I know I have seen several out of the 1000 that I went through last night

**Mike Irwin** · March 27, 2015, 07:01 AM

You may run into crimped primers in NATO spec ammo.

You'd need to remove the crimp before you reprime.

FrankenMauser · March 27, 2015, 12:58 PM

If you take another look at the Federal (FC) brass, you'll probably find multiple headstamps.

Federal uses these, and more, to indicate different manufacture methods and production plants:
FC
FC●
●FC
●FC●
FC●●
Federal●
●Federal
●Federal●
Federal

The dots indicate extruded cases, rather than drawn. The number and location of the dots indicate the production facility.

Other than military brass, they're the only domestic company that I know of, that uses markings in that way.

Occasionally, you'll find the "dot" (●) markings on Speer, Blazer, or CCI brass, as well. ...They're all part of the ATK family, along with Federal.

RugerSteve · March 27, 2015, 03:55 PM

Someone told me that the NATO spent primers are usually hard to get out. Some of the ones that I deprimed, came out easy.

jag2 · March 27, 2015, 10:21 PM

I picked up a lot of Tulammo brass at the range, knew it was once fired. Sadly, it only held up for a couple of reloads, started to bulge near the base. Not saying don't use it, just don't expect it too last too long.

skizzums · March 27, 2015, 11:45 PM

The are not very hard to get OUT, its getting the new primer IN which suck. You will have to remove the crimp. If you do not know how to do that, just ask, we all have different methods, many of then are fast and easy and you likely already have the equipment you need. You can tell by looking if it has a crimped primer after deprime, it wil look like it has a thin brass shaving on the outside of the primer cup

March 25, 2015, 04:17 PM	#1
RugerSteve Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 45	Head stamps on 9mm Brass I have cleaned another batch of brass and was separating brands. Most of them are "R-P". What brand is that? Also have "F C, which I assume is Federal? Also have Winchester, and a lot of misc, like Speer, Tulamo, Hornidy, Blazer, etc.

March 27, 2015, 07:01 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	You may run into crimped primers in NATO spec ammo. You'd need to remove the crimp before you reprime. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 27, 2015, 12:58 PM	#11
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If you take another look at the Federal (FC) brass, you'll probably find multiple headstamps. Federal uses these, and more, to indicate different manufacture methods and production plants: FC FC● ●FC ●FC● FC●● Federal● ●Federal ●Federal● Federal The dots indicate extruded cases, rather than drawn. The number and location of the dots indicate the production facility. Other than military brass, they're the only domestic company that I know of, that uses markings in that way. Occasionally, you'll find the "dot" (●) markings on Speer, Blazer, or CCI brass, as well. ...They're all part of the ATK family, along with Federal. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

March 27, 2015, 11:45 PM	#14
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	The are not very hard to get OUT, its getting the new primer IN which suck. You will have to remove the crimp. If you do not know how to do that, just ask, we all have different methods, many of then are fast and easy and you likely already have the equipment you need. You can tell by looking if it has a crimped primer after deprime, it wil look like it has a thin brass shaving on the outside of the primer cup __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

March 25, 2015, 04:30 PM	#2
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Remington Peters then there is Federal Fartridge/Case, at one time there was TW, TW was operated by Federal, The T stood for Twin as in Twin Cities. When Federal started operating the Twin City arsenal they only loaded shot gun (before they started operating the TW arsenal). F. Guffey

March 26, 2015, 12:16 AM	#3
RugerSteve Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 45	I have run across a few FC stamps with NT next to it. Does this mean NATO?

March 26, 2015, 12:46 AM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I believe NT stands for 'non toxic', meaning the primers use something else other than lead styphnate. They are notorious for being difficult to reload.

March 26, 2015, 08:00 AM	#6
livingintx Member Join Date: January 21, 2015 Posts: 33	A handy list of headstamp codes from the International Ammunition Association, Inc. Headstamp Codes

March 26, 2015, 05:50 PM	#9
RugerSteve Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 45	So do I need to sort out the NATO designated cases, or will they prime ok? I know I have seen several out of the 1000 that I went through last night

March 27, 2015, 03:55 PM	#12
RugerSteve Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 45	Someone told me that the NATO spent primers are usually hard to get out. Some of the ones that I deprimed, came out easy.

March 27, 2015, 10:21 PM	#13
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	I picked up a lot of Tulammo brass at the range, knew it was once fired. Sadly, it only held up for a couple of reloads, started to bulge near the base. Not saying don't use it, just don't expect it too last too long.