[Matt3357]

I bought 500 once fired 223 cases the other day at a flea market. Gave $20 for em. About 5 cases were weird. They had a star crimp on the neck like they were blanks or something. I have never seen anything like it and was wondering if that was normal. Obviously I can't reload it but curiosity got the better of me. Oh also the brass was stamped WCC. What brand is that?

Thanks,
Matt

[Matt3357]

Well I got off my lazy butt and found out that WCC is Western Cartridge Company, an affiliate of Winchester, and they make their brass in East Alton, IL (like 15 mins from home) at Olin Brass I believe. From what little I could find it is good stuff, but is it military primed (Berdan?) is the question. Don't want to break a depriming pin right off the bat.

Thanks,
Matt

[rcmodel]

The star crimped brass is from GI Blanks.
They are not safe to reload.

No, it is not berdan. All WWC will be Boxer.
You can tell by looking inside them.
If there is one central hole, it is Boxer.
If there are two or more tiny off-center holes, they are Berdan.

The crimped primers punch out just like any other primers when you run them in the FL sizing die.

You will have to remove the crimp before you can re-prime them, either by reaming or swaging.

rc

[fatelk]

WCC brass is boxer primed, fully reloadable. You just have to remove the primer crimp after depriming. The star crimped ones would be blanks. I wouldn't try reloading those.

[Matt3357]

Sweet, good deal. I guess I'll have to invest in a crimp remover. Which do you guys recommend, a reamer or a swage?

Thanks,
Matt

[rcmodel]

You can get by using your chamfer/deburring tool.

But for 500 cases, I would suggest at least the RCBS Swage die set.
Be forewarned it requires a pretty hefty press to use it.

If you are rolling in money, get the Dillon Super-Swage and don't look back.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600

rc

[Matt3357]

At the same flea market I ran across a guy with a Lyman Turret Press. Walked away with it for $30, would that be strong enough? I know it weighs a ton. I already had a set up and have been reloading for a while with a Lee Turret press, but this is a major upgrade for little dough.

thanks,
Matt

[moosehunt]

Damn! Where do you find these flea markets?

[Matt3357]

Brazil, Indiana

Find lots of stuff there. No commercial junk, just like 20 acres of garage sales that all congregate in one place. Also picked up a redding powder throw for $10. The time before that I bought an almost brand new toolbox for my Sonoma for $100. Lots and lots of guns.

Now back to the question at hand. Is a Lyman Turret press strong enough to handle the swaging die?

Thanks,
Matt

[hokeyplyr48]

Not to hijack but would a Lee Classic Cast Turret be strong enough too?

[rcmodel]

Is a Lyman Turret press strong enough
Lee Classic Cast Turret be strong enough

It's hard for me to say as I have never owned either one.

But I would certainly think the Lee would be strong enough.
They advertised it to be a better press then anything on the market when it came out!
That includes the RCBS Rock-Chucker, and they are indestructible as far as I can tell.

Lyman has made several different turret presses over the years. Some of the early ones were not so strong. The later one they make now have been beefed up in several areas.

rc

[Matt3357]

it seems like its built like a tank, it is made of cast iron and looks to be plenty strong. Mine looks just like the turret II they make now, except its orange instead of gray. I will buy it and give it a try. Might set it up on the lee if its strong enough, and do my seating on the lyman.

Thanks,
Matt

[rcmodel]

Just a tip.

Primer pocket swaging goes a lot smoother & easier if you use some case lube on them.

rc

[Matt3357]

I swaged 500 223 cases this afternoon on my lyman turret press with no problems. I don't think you would have any problems on the lee turret since it is supported on all sides. If you follow the complicated instructions you will have no problems. RCBS has some pretty crappy instructions if you ask me, but I figured it out and can explain how to do it if you need. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone who answered my post. Saved me lots of time. Much appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

[R.W.Dale]

FYI I've recently discovered that the appropriate sized Phillips screwdriver makes an awesome crimp removal tool. Especally when chucked into a cordless drill

[Matt3357]

Yeah I would imagine that it wouldn't remove a lot of material and provide a decent chamfer to the edge. I could also see it taking forever to do large quantities and hard on the hand holding the shell. I think the swager was worth the money to get all 500 done in an hour or so.

Thanks,
Matt

[R.W.Dale]

It just depends on if you use a cordless drill.