.223/5.56 AR brass questions

Anton Chigurh

Anton Chigurh

Member
I'm thinking of stocking up on some brass for my ARs. Midway has LC 5.56 and also LC 223 (stamped American Eagle) for about $.20 each.

Processed LC once fired is $.16 at Texas Brass Works.

What's the difference, if any, between LC 5.56 and LC 223 with AE headstamp?

I'm inclined to pay a little more for the new LC, unless the processed stuff is likely to be more uniform. Suggestions here?
 
I have had really accurate loads using mixed LC brass in my 223. I bought 1000 pc for about $90, and prepped it and it shoots bugholes at 100 yds. I am using the 52gr bergers. Benchmark powder.
 
If the Lake City from Midway is new virgin brass (they acquire it at times) it will be your best buy..Once fired may be recoveries from a military or police range, having been run through a fully auto weapon...

I picked up 500 rounds (virgin) several years ago for use in my .223 bolt action and am still on the first 100 rounds with just neck sizing....Overall, brass prep is very minimal and the primer pockets stay tight quite a bit longer than the Federal that I've used in the past..
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760No difference that I've seen. Other than the 5.56 has the annealing color on it still.

5.56 has thicker case walls which means slightly higher pressures.

most of us dont teeter close enough to the line to have it matter though.
 
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Originally Posted By: 07yzrysderOriginally Posted By: pahntr760No difference that I've seen. Other than the 5.56 has the annealing color on it still.

5.56 has thicker case walls which means slightly higher pressures.

most of us dont teeter close enough to the line to have it matter though.

the thicker 5.56 brass is an old wives tale. it was shown a few years ago with actual measurements to be incorrect, by a now banned member.
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleIf the Lake City from Midway is new virgin brass (they acquire it at times) it will be your best buy..Once fired may be recoveries from a military or police range, having been run through a fully auto weapon...

I picked up 500 rounds (virgin) several years ago for use in my .223 bolt action and am still on the first 100 rounds with just neck sizing....Overall, brass prep is very minimal and the primer pockets stay tight quite a bit longer than the Federal that I've used in the past..

Thanks OT, the LC from Midway is described as new brass, which is why I'm considering paying $.20 for it vs range pickup or cheap unprocessed LC. I'd like to get a big lot together and keep track of how many times it's been fired vs using stuff of unknown origin.

I still wondering how much difference there would be, if any, between this LC 5.56:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/841007/federal-lake-city-reloading-brass-556x45mm-nato


And this LC 223 brass though:


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/288378/federal-lake-city-reloading-brass-223-remington

I know FC 223 brass isn't considered real good stuff, so I wonder if the American Eagle headstamp stuff is just plain FC or really is the same as the LC. Not that it matters a lot, I will most likely just buy the LC 5.56 anyway, I'm just curious.

Edit:

Originally Posted By: pahntr760No difference that I've seen. Other than the 5.56 has the annealing color on it still.

I guess you answered my question though, you compared the two and see no difference. So maybe the AE stuff is made on the same line as the LC 5.56..
 
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I bought some LC new brass. Had 5 case separations in 100. Doing some research, I found that the LC sold on the civilian market is government rejects (or so I've read). I would agree. If the processed LC has had the crimp removed and resized, I would buy it in a minute. Heck, even if it wasn't resized I would buy it, as long as the crimp is removed by cutting or swaging.
 


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