LC 5.56mm Brass...Primer and Crimp??

golfnutrlv · December 16, 2010, 01:46 AM

Hi everyone, So I have some Lake City 5.56mm brass. Want to reload it and put it away for "serious" situations.

My questions are:
Is the primer crimped?? Does not look like it is. It is the Lake City Brass from the Federal American Eagle XM193 bulk packs. (See pic below)

Second, can I use a standard small rifle primer? Is the primer pocket any different in size? I can use CCI Military primers if necessary.

Thanks,

kraigwy · December 16, 2010, 01:53 AM

They do have a crimp that needs to be removed prior to reloading. Small rifle primers will work. You don't need fancy Military Primers.

Depending on what you plan on doing, and what type of accuracy you desire, you should try as many types of(SR) primes as possible to determine which is the most accrate in your rifle with your load.

The biggest problem with loading 223 is making sure you get the shoulder set back to specs. One should use a case HS gage to set up the sizing die.

medalguy · December 16, 2010, 02:48 AM

See the small indented ring around the primer pocket? That's the crimp. It does need to be removed but do it once and it never needs to be done again.

I have had good luck with Remington small rifle BR primers. They are just a little bit harder than standard primers and no more expensive. I also use Wolf since they are a bit cheaper.

rdmallory · December 16, 2010, 09:09 AM

From my experience 90% of lake city brass will prime fine with out removing the crimp. I bought a hand tool for removing the crimp and put it in battery drill. Works on the 10% that need it removed. I like Wolf or PMC primers they seam a little harder then the US ones, and cheaper too.

demigod · December 16, 2010, 09:53 AM

Indeed much of the XM193 brass will seat a primer without the crimp removed. I'd remove it anyway since mashing primer cups is a waste.

golfnutrlv · December 17, 2010, 12:01 PM

Thanks everyone, looks like a primer pocket swager may be in my future. Thanks for the primer advice, I usually run Winchester, work great for me in all loads I create.

Thanks

demigod · December 20, 2010, 12:17 PM

You can buy a Hornady Pocket reamer for very cheap. I often use it by hand, but you can chuck it in a drill if you have over a hundred pieces of brass to do.

You can buy the tool in pieces or the whole kit for like $30 at midwayusa. I got rid of my Super Swager a long time ago and am much happier with the Hornady tool.

December 16, 2010, 01:46 AM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	LC 5.56mm Brass...Primer and Crimp?? Hi everyone, So I have some Lake City 5.56mm brass. Want to reload it and put it away for "serious" situations. My questions are: Is the primer crimped?? Does not look like it is. It is the Lake City Brass from the Federal American Eagle XM193 bulk packs. (See pic below) Second, can I use a standard small rifle primer? Is the primer pocket any different in size? I can use CCI Military primers if necessary. Thanks,

December 16, 2010, 01:53 AM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	They do have a crimp that needs to be removed prior to reloading. Small rifle primers will work. You don't need fancy Military Primers. Depending on what you plan on doing, and what type of accuracy you desire, you should try as many types of(SR) primes as possible to determine which is the most accrate in your rifle with your load. The biggest problem with loading 223 is making sure you get the shoulder set back to specs. One should use a case HS gage to set up the sizing die.

December 16, 2010, 02:48 AM	#3
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	See the small indented ring around the primer pocket? That's the crimp. It does need to be removed but do it once and it never needs to be done again. I have had good luck with Remington small rifle BR primers. They are just a little bit harder than standard primers and no more expensive. I also use Wolf since they are a bit cheaper.

December 16, 2010, 09:09 AM	#4
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	From my experience 90% of lake city brass will prime fine with out removing the crimp. I bought a hand tool for removing the crimp and put it in battery drill. Works on the 10% that need it removed. I like Wolf or PMC primers they seam a little harder then the US ones, and cheaper too.

December 16, 2010, 09:53 AM	#5
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	Indeed much of the XM193 brass will seat a primer without the crimp removed. I'd remove it anyway since mashing primer cups is a waste.

December 17, 2010, 12:01 PM	#6
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks everyone, looks like a primer pocket swager may be in my future. Thanks for the primer advice, I usually run Winchester, work great for me in all loads I create. Thanks

December 20, 2010, 12:17 PM	#7
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	You can buy a Hornady Pocket reamer for very cheap. I often use it by hand, but you can chuck it in a drill if you have over a hundred pieces of brass to do. You can buy the tool in pieces or the whole kit for like $30 at midwayusa. I got rid of my Super Swager a long time ago and am much happier with the Hornady tool.