308 Winchester Brass With No Headstamp

[PCCUSNRET]

Picked up a handful of 308 brass at the range today that had no head stamp markings. Any idea who makes this brsss? I would post a photo but there's nothing to show.

 

[ants]

No idea. There are geniuses on this Forum who know. I don't.

But we know your history on THR and you're a good guy. I hope you get some real information! Good luck brother!

 

[Fire_Moose]

Edit: just read you other thread...

Can't help sorry.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Any ideas? There was at least a box of 20. First time finding brass like this in over 20 years reloading.

 

[guns3738]

maybe someone turned them down them self out of brass stock. that would be my only guess. But if they did that i don't know why they would leave it.

 

[mr wack]

Or maybe someone decided they needed a thinner rim so turned a couple of 1,000's off the base, extractor problem or something,, ?.
Heck I dunno,,,,

 

[243winxb]

Ask here - http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes Click on Contact.

 

[Blue68f100]

Some of those appear to have a have stamp but very light, bottom right. My guess they are just worn off from use.

 

[newfalguy101]

I wonder if perhaps they are manufacturer rejects that an employee snagged???

I honestly don't have any idea at what point in the manufacture process the head stamp is applied.

Cool find though!!

 

[jmorris]

They much have fallen from a black helicopter on a super secret mission.

Are the berdan or boxer primed?

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Are the berdan or boxer primed?

They are boxer primed.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Some of those appear to have a have stamp but very light, bottom right. My guess they are just worn off from use.

Some show an ejection mark but there is no sign of any headstamp. The brass appears to only have one ejection mark and I'd bet they hAve only been fired once. I used a loup to see if I could see any sign of a headstamp and there is nothing there.

 

[mdi]

I can't think of a good reason not to have a headstamp. I think one could order cartridge cases with any headstamp at one time. Perhaps someone wanted a blank headstamp? Or an OOPS! during the manufacturing process?

Or mebbe a black ops, very deep undercover, clandestine, "your government will disavow any connection" type group?

 

[ants]

I did a search on "brass no headstamp" and found 10 years of threads on various forums, some with pictures.

They report buying or finding brass without headstamp for 38 Special, 30-06, 308, 45acp, 7.62x39 and others.

 

[rodregier]

I've seen references to "sterile" equipment in books on special operations.
No origin labelling for consumables, clothing, etc.
Weapons from global marketplace and so not associated with a particular country.

Maybe this is brass from "sterile" ammunition?

 

[ants]

Posts on other forums got brass with no headstamp when they bought bulk brass.
Also found them once-fired on Gunbroker. One guy got 338 Marlin Express with no headstamp.

You won't be able to convince me that secret special super secret black operators use 338 Marlin Express ammunition.

It's just brass drawn on contract in bulk quantities without headstamp. It's out there. Do a search.

 

[kcofohio]

Not all brass makers may use these steps, but I thought it interesting.

The headstamp bunter punch has a protrusion on the end to make the primer pocket, and has raised lettering around the face to form the headstamp writing. This is, of course, all a mirror image of the finished case head. Small cases, such as 5.56×45, can be headed with a single strike. Larger cases, like 7.62×51 and 50 BMG, need to be struck once to form a dent for the primer pocket, then a second strike to finish the pocket, flatten the head, and imprint the writing. This second strike works the brass to harden it so it will support the pressure of firing.”

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2007/06/how-cartridge-brass-is-made/

 

[Hummer70]

The black ops folks like to have "sanitary" ammo so it can't be traced to where it came from. When I was working these were not uncommon.

As a matter of fact Lake City made 7.62X39 ammo that was sanitary. I have some cases some where.

In Frankford Arsenal's last days they made a number of rounds with no headstamps.

The first 338 Lapua Magnum cases I saw at Aberdeen Proving Ground circa 1982 were sanitary.