.223 brass question

Bucksnort1 · January 13, 2023, 04:35 PM

I found some .223 brass. Headstamp is PSD with what looks like the manufacture date of 22 (2022). It has no military/NATO markings; however, the primers are sealed.

I have not resized to see if the primer pocket has a crimp ring or other type of crimping.

Is this military brass?

GeauxTide · January 13, 2023, 05:09 PM

South Korean military.

Bucksnort1 · January 13, 2023, 10:20 PM

Is it crimped?

Metal god · January 14, 2023, 06:24 PM

Yep should be per NATO spec . If it has the NATO stamp , it’s crimped

jpx2rk · January 15, 2023, 04:20 PM

If you have a de-cap or de-priming only die then just decap a few and see if you can insert/seat a spent primer back in without doing anything additional to the case. Sealant usually indicates a crimp/military, but not 100% of the time.

Ifishsum · January 15, 2023, 05:08 PM

All PSD brass I've encountered had crimped primers. Military/NATO version of PMC. Good enough brass to be worth the extra effort to ream/swage IMO

DaleA · January 16, 2023, 06:36 AM

Here's something you might be interested in (or might not).
RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2 for $22.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832

Disclaimer: I have never used it, just saw it in an advertisement.

Marco Califo · January 16, 2023, 11:23 AM

Quote:

RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2

I have one and do not use it. It is not the best option. There are many better products, like this: Bosch
1/2 in. Titanium Countersink Drill Bit at Home Depot. Put it in a drill. It only takes 1/2 second to remove the crimp

Metal god · January 16, 2023, 01:47 PM

I agree with Marco , I have one of those and only used it for a short time . Needing to guide the case up into the die with that guide rod there is a very slow process compared to other methods . I went to cutting the crimp out by chucking a Lyman primer crimp remover bit into a drill . Worked just fine for many years and thousands of cases . I’ve since went to the Dillon super swager which is the best method IMO .

DaleA · January 16, 2023, 07:11 PM

Hmmm...my considered opinion would be to take the advice of those who have had some actual experience here (Metal god and Marco Califo) and do things their way.

ballardw · January 17, 2023, 11:21 AM

FWIW, I have used the RCBS Primer Pocket swager since about 1962. (Started at age 6 ).
Might be one of those places that you look at volume vs cost. Are doing 100 cases a year or 10,000? Any time or cost difference might to considered in that light.

Metal god · January 17, 2023, 12:58 PM

Yeah , I’d agree that cost ratio is not an unreasonable factor . The countersink bits are cheaper than that RCBS tool as well as the lyman primer crimp remover tool. That said the RCBS tool should in theory last longer but if you are only doing a couple hundred a year I don’t think it matters much which one you use . I do several hundred each session totaling a couple thousand a year so speed and convenience is a huge factor for me .

**Unclenick** · January 17, 2023, 05:23 PM

You can also use a small tip (on the right in this link) on a hand-operated deburring tool. One or two turns around the pocket and done. It takes even less effort (IMHO) than lifting an electric drill up; more control over cutting depth.

AwayToTheRange · January 31, 2023, 02:39 PM

IMHO, best option for swage and reaming that is consistent, fast, reliable and without fail is this fantastic modification to the Lee APP. https://youtu.be/Jjm1bXnSU8w

January 13, 2023, 04:35 PM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	.223 brass question I found some .223 brass. Headstamp is PSD with what looks like the manufacture date of 22 (2022). It has no military/NATO markings; however, the primers are sealed. I have not resized to see if the primer pocket has a crimp ring or other type of crimping. Is this military brass?

January 13, 2023, 05:09 PM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	South Korean military. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

January 14, 2023, 06:24 PM	#4
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	Yep should be per NATO spec . If it has the NATO stamp , it’s crimped __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

January 16, 2023, 01:47 PM	#9
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	I agree with Marco , I have one of those and only used it for a short time . Needing to guide the case up into the die with that guide rod there is a very slow process compared to other methods . I went to cutting the crimp out by chucking a Lyman primer crimp remover bit into a drill . Worked just fine for many years and thousands of cases . I’ve since went to the Dillon super swager which is the best method IMO . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

January 17, 2023, 11:21 AM	#11
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	FWIW, I have used the RCBS Primer Pocket swager since about 1962. (Started at age 6 ). Might be one of those places that you look at volume vs cost. Are doing 100 cases a year or 10,000? Any time or cost difference might to considered in that light. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

January 13, 2023, 10:20 PM	#3
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Is it crimped?

January 15, 2023, 04:20 PM	#5
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 387	If you have a de-cap or de-priming only die then just decap a few and see if you can insert/seat a spent primer back in without doing anything additional to the case. Sealant usually indicates a crimp/military, but not 100% of the time.

January 15, 2023, 05:08 PM	#6
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	All PSD brass I've encountered had crimped primers. Military/NATO version of PMC. Good enough brass to be worth the extra effort to ream/swage IMO

January 16, 2023, 06:36 AM	#7
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Here's something you might be interested in (or might not). RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2 for $22. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832 Disclaimer: I have never used it, just saw it in an advertisement.

January 16, 2023, 07:11 PM	#10
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Hmmm...my considered opinion would be to take the advice of those who have had some actual experience here (Metal god and Marco Califo) and do things their way.

January 17, 2023, 12:58 PM	#12
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	Yeah , I’d agree that cost ratio is not an unreasonable factor . The countersink bits are cheaper than that RCBS tool as well as the lyman primer crimp remover tool. That said the RCBS tool should in theory last longer but if you are only doing a couple hundred a year I don’t think it matters much which one you use . I do several hundred each session totaling a couple thousand a year so speed and convenience is a huge factor for me . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

January 17, 2023, 05:23 PM	#13
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You can also use a small tip (on the right in this link) on a hand-operated deburring tool. One or two turns around the pocket and done. It takes even less effort (IMHO) than lifting an electric drill up; more control over cutting depth. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 31, 2023, 02:39 PM	#14
AwayToTheRange Member Join Date: September 29, 2021 Posts: 19	IMHO, best option for swage and reaming that is consistent, fast, reliable and without fail is this fantastic modification to the Lee APP. https://youtu.be/Jjm1bXnSU8w