Brass Supplier

[Buckskin]

Does anyone know of a good brass supplier for once-fired cases?  Looking for a good number of 223 cases. I found Brassmanbrass.com. And they seem reasonable.  $80 for 1000 cases which includes shipping.  Dumb question, they have crimped and uncrimped primer pockets.  What the heck does that mean???

Thanks.

[Badnews Bob]

On millitary ammo the primers are crimped into the case, If you look you can see a small ring around the edge of the primer pocket. Civilian ammo dosn't have this, If you buy milsurp you usally have to remove this crimp before you can install a new primer after you deprime. Not a big deal really, just a monor PITA.

Check with River Valley Ordanace.

[jhalcott]

 I just decrimped about 200 .223 cases in about an hour. I chucked the chamfer tool in the drill and clamped the drill in the vise. Just hold the case against the chamfer tool and hit the trigger for a second.BINGO, the crimp is gone!

[Buckskin]

So if possible Ishould get uncrimped to save a little time.  They have Lake City, Federal, Remington, PMC and Winchester. Only Remington comes non-crimped.  All the same price though... Generally I use Remington or Hornady cases anyway.

[Val]

It should also be noted that military brass typically are thicker brass than commercial loads. In some loads the same amount of powder load will not perform the same in a military vs. a commercial bass. The military brass having less capacity will be at a higher pressure. Depending on the type an caliber of gun being used this could result in dangerous over pressure. Particularly in older weapons that aren't designed for the same pressures as todays modern weapons. It's best not to interchange commercial and military beass.

[Buckskin]

Intended use would be for an AR-15.

[Dixie Dude]

Just seperate the military brass from the conventional brass.  Find a load that works for the military brass without over pressuring.  Find a seperate load for the conventional brass.  I pick up brass at the local shooting range.  Got about 500 rounds just picking them up. off the ground.  I just hang around when a lot of people are shooting and go behind them and ask if I can have their brass, pick it up when the range goes cold. 

[iiranger]

There are many, many dealers in brass. Right now the supply of military surplus is limited. They are using it over seas... Shotgunnews.com has suppliers of reloading components. If you are talking 1,000 quantity, they might be a good place to visit. gibrass.com, patsreloading.com, Hi-tecammo.com, cheyennebrass.com, often have once fired surplus. River Valley has a good rep. I remember when it was Dexter Automotive... Wideners, in times of peace, has once fired and new military. IMI (Israeli Military Industries). They did have a south American brand... short supply now.  Google it and no telling what will turn up.

As said, the military "crimps" primers to keep them from coming out and jamming actions especially in full auto fire. Guns tend to warm up full auto. Military Match cases usually are not crimped. Otherwise... The Japanese used a "stake" crimp, 3 points around the circle. You can remove it with a pocket knife. The first I did, an '06 I got carried away and it would no longer hold a primer... dropped right out... One quick turn. Enough. Case Mouth chamfer tools work o.k. I have used a LEE until my fingers got sore. RCBS and others make a crimper that swages the brass back and puts a nice rounded edge on the hole. I think I like the CH best. It works above the press, easier to see. I would lube the punch with case lube every few. One method, much recommended long ago with lots of surplus '06 around, there are counter sinks for flat headed screws... you chuck one of them in a drill and just touch the hold to the sink and it cuts that nice tapered edge while cutting away the crimp... I don't recall the tool numbers... luck, happy trails.

[Buckskin]

Thanks for the help guys.  I just shot an AR-15 that I'm looking at and realized that they are very fun to shoot and also eat ammo like nothing else I have.  Going to be an expensive addition if I go for it.