Inconsistancy In Lake City Brass...

JeepHammer · March 31, 2015, 08:33 AM

I'm running a couple of thousand brass today,
Mostly Lake City once fired military brass that needs the primer crimp removed...

I'm Reaming the crimp off instead of swaging it.

I've really noticed some of the Lake City brass is REALLY SOFT,
While some of it is about 'Average', consistent with civilian brass from Hornady, Winchester, ect.

Same down force, same reamer, same motor speed, some of this Lake City brass cuts so fast I get the reamed taper deeper than I'd like.

Seems to be '02 to '10 on the head stamps.
Not all the Lake City from these years is super soft,
But about half is VERY soft.

'07 & '08 in particular seem to be very soft,
While '12 is very hard...

Anyone else notice this?

I'm having to watch head stamp dates, which I hate doing in high volume reload, just to avoid cutting them too deep...

Jimro · March 31, 2015, 09:44 AM

Different lots of brass, different crimping machines, I wouldn't expect a huge amount of uniformity in how easily a primer pocket is reamed.

I'd also question why you would be reaming commercial brass.

Jimro

March 31, 2015, 08:33 AM	#1
JeepHammer Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 1,768	Inconsistancy In Lake City Brass... I'm running a couple of thousand brass today, Mostly Lake City once fired military brass that needs the primer crimp removed... I'm Reaming the crimp off instead of swaging it. I've really noticed some of the Lake City brass is REALLY SOFT, While some of it is about 'Average', consistent with civilian brass from Hornady, Winchester, ect. Same down force, same reamer, same motor speed, some of this Lake City brass cuts so fast I get the reamed taper deeper than I'd like. Seems to be '02 to '10 on the head stamps. Not all the Lake City from these years is super soft, But about half is VERY soft. '07 & '08 in particular seem to be very soft, While '12 is very hard... Anyone else notice this? I'm having to watch head stamp dates, which I hate doing in high volume reload, just to avoid cutting them too deep... Last edited by JeepHammer; March 31, 2015 at 09:07 AM.

March 31, 2015, 09:44 AM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Different lots of brass, different crimping machines, I wouldn't expect a huge amount of uniformity in how easily a primer pocket is reamed. I'd also question why you would be reaming commercial brass. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.