Trouble with FC 223 brass

[jonzer77]

I made a few rounds to try out some 77gr smks that I bought. I used Varget and made some rounds with 21, 22, and 23 grains loaded to 2.260. I used mixed brass that was trimmed to 1.750 but the fc brass was a little short but from what I have read short brass is ok to load.

This is what the case looked like after firing
FC Brass


Everything else

[GeoffLinder]

Don't see any issues there except for the brass originally had crimped in primers and you haven't swaged or reamed out the old crimp ring. Not doing this causes primers to not seat full and properly. Fix this and you are good to go.

Under length cases are not a problem. They will show stretch only after resizing. 2nd or 3rd firing they will definitely need trimming.

[Justintoxicated]

I have like 500 FC once fired cases that are too short, even after re-sizing. I just don't reload them.

[ireload]

So what type of trouble are you experiencing from the FC brass? As Geof stated that original crimp on primers still present.

I've loaded FC brass before that are short. In fact most or all of the .223 FC brass I've loaded are on the short side.

[GeoffLinder]

I have like 500 FC once fired cases that are too short, even after re-sizing. I just don't reload them.

They will grow long enuff to need trimming, it just may take several firings

[Munk]

If you're worried about the mild imprint of your bolt face in the case head, don't be. The brass is just a little softer than the others, but not so soft as to be an issue. You just might need to trim them more often because they'll probably flow a little easier.

[NotEnufGarage]

I always use LC 5.56mm brass for anything over 62 grain bullets...

Use the .223, chinese (CJ), FC, WCC and other 5.56mm brass for 55 and 62 grain plinking rounds.

As for the primer pockets, I clean up the crimp with a large (1/2") drill bit to shave the ridge off the pocket (after first firing only) and a primer pocket reamer to clean the crud out of it.

[jonzer77]

I always use LC 5.56mm brass for anything over 62 grain bullets...

Use the .223, chinese (CJ), FC, WCC and other 5.56mm brass for 55 and 62 grain plinking rounds.

As for the primer pockets, I clean up the crimp with a large (1/2") drill bit to shave the ridge off the pocket (after first firing only) and a primer pocket reamer to clean the crud out of it.

Thanks for the tip NotEnuf, much appreciated.

I posted this on thehighroad as well and found out what it was. I thought only 5.56 brass had crimped primer pockets but apparently the FC 223 brass does as well. I was able to remove the old primers and put in a new primer without a problem so I didn't think they were crimped. When I looked at my bolt there was a small circle and when I cleaned it it was black which meant gas blowback. Thankfully there wasn't any damage to my bolt but I now have the fc brass sorted separately.

Here is a link to the other thread with some good advice on the FC 223 brass.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=640349

[Justintoxicated]

I'm surprised you didn't run into problems priming without removing the crimps.? What were you priming with?

[jonzer77]

I'm surprised you didn't run into problems priming without removing the crimps.? What were you priming with?

Yeah same here. I was using the Lee hand prime tool.