FC brass, .223

zxcvbob · April 9, 2012, 12:06 PM

I've just started reloading .223, and I have lots of Federal factory ammo -- it's all military M855 and M193 ammo with LC headstamps. Supposed to be good stuff.

I also have a few hundred range-pick-ups that I've cleaned, sized, and trimmed, and about half of that is stamped "FC 223 REM" Is it true that the FC brass is weak and has reduced volume? (a bad combination) So maybe I should use it just for light loads? Is it safe to use if I watch for that case head separation bright ring?

I've also reloaded some of those Wolf steel cases (gray poly-coated, not lacquer) They work surprisingly well, but not sure how many shots I get before they work-harden and crack.

flashhole · April 9, 2012, 12:14 PM

Nothing wrong with the FC brass. Some claim it to be a bit softer than other manufacturers and experience loose primer pockets as one of the early failure modes. If the military brass has a crimped primer you will need to deal with it before seating a primer. The RCBS tool does a great job as well as others on the market like Forster or Dillon. Load it up and shoot it just as you would any other brass.

I would not load the steel cases. They have the potential to scratch your die.

zxcvbob · April 9, 2012, 12:29 PM

I haven't loaded any FC cases yet, but I primed a few last night. The primers were staked and I had to swage the pockets first to get the primers in. I didn't expect that in nonmilitary brass. (I have a Dillon Super Swager, so it's not a big deal)

Maybe I should measure the water capacity of a few cases to make sure. It would be a good exercise, just to learn how.

I'm using Varget powder and lead-core 55 grain and 62 grain FMJBT bullets. Not loading anything very hot yet.

Marquezj16 · April 9, 2012, 02:14 PM

I have loaded my FC .223 Rem cases. The next batch is going on it's fifth reload. I've had no problems with them. I load them the same as my LC stamped cases.

I forget but someone here told me about how bad the FC cases are. When I asked if the problems were documented with the .223 cases, I did not get a response. Any case will only last so long before they are no longer suitable for reloading. When they fail, time to dispose of them.

m&p45acp10+1 · April 9, 2012, 05:03 PM

I have loaded up thousands of them. They work just like any other brand of brass. As you have already seen they tend to have crimped primer pockets. PMC has a lot of them too.

Inspector3711 · April 9, 2012, 05:17 PM

Reportedly there was a problem with a batch of their brass being thin years ago. The problem has long since gone away but the legend lives on so to speak. I reload FC cases all the time.

NWPilgrim · April 11, 2012, 04:47 AM

My FC cases are significantly heavier than most other headstamps, including LC. I think the FC cases were averaging well over 100 gr and the LC and most other headstamps were around 95 gr.

I have had no issues with the FC cases at all. None of mine had primer crimps, though they were all from the Federal Eagle brand.

browninghunter86 · May 1, 2012, 03:11 PM

I just sold 1000 FC range brass and 1000 LC 11 brass I found and tumbled clean from range and wishing I had kept them

bfoosh006 · May 1, 2012, 10:00 PM

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...&f=42&t=355939

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/276154_.html&page=1

Like the links say, check your brass. The newer AE, LC brass is GTG.
I myself have a ton of the "bad" brass, ( bought it for $3.19 / 20 rd box on sale ) it is already sorted out and will be used for light loads / low pressure only. Crushing it then Recycling it after its usefulness is gone.

April 9, 2012, 12:06 PM	#1
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	FC brass, .223 I've just started reloading .223, and I have lots of Federal factory ammo -- it's all military M855 and M193 ammo with LC headstamps. Supposed to be good stuff. I also have a few hundred range-pick-ups that I've cleaned, sized, and trimmed, and about half of that is stamped "FC 223 REM" Is it true that the FC brass is weak and has reduced volume? (a bad combination) So maybe I should use it just for light loads? Is it safe to use if I watch for that case head separation bright ring? I've also reloaded some of those Wolf steel cases (gray poly-coated, not lacquer) They work surprisingly well, but not sure how many shots I get before they work-harden and crack. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

April 9, 2012, 12:14 PM	#2
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Nothing wrong with the FC brass. Some claim it to be a bit softer than other manufacturers and experience loose primer pockets as one of the early failure modes. If the military brass has a crimped primer you will need to deal with it before seating a primer. The RCBS tool does a great job as well as others on the market like Forster or Dillon. Load it up and shoot it just as you would any other brass. I would not load the steel cases. They have the potential to scratch your die. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

April 9, 2012, 12:29 PM	#3
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I haven't loaded any FC cases yet, but I primed a few last night. The primers were staked and I had to swage the pockets first to get the primers in. I didn't expect that in nonmilitary brass. (I have a Dillon Super Swager, so it's not a big deal) Maybe I should measure the water capacity of a few cases to make sure. It would be a good exercise, just to learn how. I'm using Varget powder and lead-core 55 grain and 62 grain FMJBT bullets. Not loading anything very hot yet. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

April 9, 2012, 05:03 PM	#5
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,945	I have loaded up thousands of them. They work just like any other brand of brass. As you have already seen they tend to have crimped primer pockets. PMC has a lot of them too. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

April 11, 2012, 04:47 AM	#7
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,357	My FC cases are significantly heavier than most other headstamps, including LC. I think the FC cases were averaging well over 100 gr and the LC and most other headstamps were around 95 gr. I have had no issues with the FC cases at all. None of mine had primer crimps, though they were all from the Federal Eagle brand. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

April 9, 2012, 02:14 PM	#4
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	I have loaded my FC .223 Rem cases. The next batch is going on it's fifth reload. I've had no problems with them. I load them the same as my LC stamped cases. I forget but someone here told me about how bad the FC cases are. When I asked if the problems were documented with the .223 cases, I did not get a response. Any case will only last so long before they are no longer suitable for reloading. When they fail, time to dispose of them.

April 9, 2012, 05:17 PM	#6
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Reportedly there was a problem with a batch of their brass being thin years ago. The problem has long since gone away but the legend lives on so to speak. I reload FC cases all the time.

May 1, 2012, 03:11 PM	#8
browninghunter86 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2011 Posts: 524	I just sold 1000 FC range brass and 1000 LC 11 brass I found and tumbled clean from range and wishing I had kept them

May 1, 2012, 10:00 PM	#9
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,100	http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...&f=42&t=355939 http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/276154_.html&page=1 Like the links say, check your brass. The newer AE, LC brass is GTG. I myself have a ton of the "bad" brass, ( bought it for $3.19 / 20 rd box on sale ) it is already sorted out and will be used for light loads / low pressure only. Crushing it then Recycling it after its usefulness is gone.