.223 Brass

Nick_C_S · December 4, 2015, 12:05 PM

Okay, I kind of made the transition to long gun ownership - I purchased two AR-15 lowers. Up 'till now, I've only owned handguns. Figured it was past time to have a couple AR's. I'll build them in due time; and "I know a guy," as it were, who will help me.

My question is about brass. I will eventually load my own. But first, I'm going to start with factory ammo and use the spent brass.

So the question is: What factory ammo should I buy that'll give me good quality brass for reloading? (Or conversely, which brass should I avoid?)

In the handgun world, Winchester White Box has always been my go-to without fail or disappointment. But the handgun world of reloading and the rifle world of reloading are very different animals, I realize.

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

rg1 · December 4, 2015, 12:21 PM

Remington .223 brass is a good reloadable brass. Nothing wrong with Winchester. Best military reloadable brass is Lake City. In the past Federal .223 brass has not been recommended but now Federal owns Lake City. If you can buy Lake City LC ammo that uses LC cases that's what I'd buy but you have to be careful to not buy LC ammo that uses Federal brass. Maybe someone who knows about which Lake City ammo that uses LC cases can give advice as to which to buy. I only have purchased Remington factory and can highly recommend their brass but most of the brass I reload for AR's has been buying 1000 round lots of once fired LC cases. Only issue with LC cases is they have crimped primer pockets which has to be removed and best removed by swaging.

cwall64 · December 4, 2015, 01:35 PM

When I got my first AR I grabbed a 500 round case of the American Eagle 55 FMJs (AE223) and at the same time order a couple of thousand Lake City once fired brass. The American Eagle was decent on accuracy and was the right price. I started reloading the Federal/American Eagle brass (while I processed the LC) and I have 3 or 4 reloads on it so far and it is still going.

Jimro · December 4, 2015, 04:48 PM

If you are going to reload, do yourself a favor and start off by buying a lot of a thousand or so milsurp 5.56 brass from a dealer?

I like gibrass.com but I've also purchased from Wideners.

It's a lot cheaper to buy components in bulk than even economy commercial loads.

Jimro

**Unclenick** · December 4, 2015, 05:50 PM

If you buy the Federal brown box with military style headstamp (FC and two digit date code, but nothing naming the chambering) AFAIK and AFAICT, it is made to mil spec from 70:30 cartridge brass. Standard Federal commercial brass is softer and made from 80:20 low brass. The latter has some accuracy advantage the first time it is fired. The former is tougher and better suited to handle semi-auto extraction.

You can also buy new military brass by General Dynamics at Midway, currently on sale. But for 20% more, you can get new Lake City at Natchez.

December 4, 2015, 12:05 PM	#1
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	.223 Brass Okay, I kind of made the transition to long gun ownership - I purchased two AR-15 lowers. Up 'till now, I've only owned handguns. Figured it was past time to have a couple AR's. I'll build them in due time; and "I know a guy," as it were, who will help me. My question is about brass. I will eventually load my own. But first, I'm going to start with factory ammo and use the spent brass. So the question is: What factory ammo should I buy that'll give me good quality brass for reloading? (Or conversely, which brass should I avoid?) In the handgun world, Winchester White Box has always been my go-to without fail or disappointment. But the handgun world of reloading and the rifle world of reloading are very different animals, I realize. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

December 4, 2015, 01:35 PM	#3
cwall64 Member Join Date: March 18, 2015 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 63	When I got my first AR I grabbed a 500 round case of the American Eagle 55 FMJs (AE223) and at the same time order a couple of thousand Lake City once fired brass. The American Eagle was decent on accuracy and was the right price. I started reloading the Federal/American Eagle brass (while I processed the LC) and I have 3 or 4 reloads on it so far and it is still going. __________________ NRA Endowment Member

December 4, 2015, 04:48 PM	#4
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	If you are going to reload, do yourself a favor and start off by buying a lot of a thousand or so milsurp 5.56 brass from a dealer? I like gibrass.com but I've also purchased from Wideners. It's a lot cheaper to buy components in bulk than even economy commercial loads. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 4, 2015, 05:50 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If you buy the Federal brown box with military style headstamp (FC and two digit date code, but nothing naming the chambering) AFAIK and AFAICT, it is made to mil spec from 70:30 cartridge brass. Standard Federal commercial brass is softer and made from 80:20 low brass. The latter has some accuracy advantage the first time it is fired. The former is tougher and better suited to handle semi-auto extraction. You can also buy new military brass by General Dynamics at Midway, currently on sale. But for 20% more, you can get new Lake City at Natchez. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 4, 2015, 12:21 PM	#2
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Remington .223 brass is a good reloadable brass. Nothing wrong with Winchester. Best military reloadable brass is Lake City. In the past Federal .223 brass has not been recommended but now Federal owns Lake City. If you can buy Lake City LC ammo that uses LC cases that's what I'd buy but you have to be careful to not buy LC ammo that uses Federal brass. Maybe someone who knows about which Lake City ammo that uses LC cases can give advice as to which to buy. I only have purchased Remington factory and can highly recommend their brass but most of the brass I reload for AR's has been buying 1000 round lots of once fired LC cases. Only issue with LC cases is they have crimped primer pockets which has to be removed and best removed by swaging.