9mm brass I.D. question.

[chubcobear]

I asked this on another forum, but I will also ask here. Who makes ".FC." marked brass. I was told it was not Federal USA ("FC"). Where is it made? I have brass marked both "FC" and ".FC." All is good brass for reloading but I am just curious.

 

[beatledog7]

I have always read that FC is Federal. The only thing I have on hand that's Federal is some 7mm RM Power Shok, and they are headstamped FC.

 

[snuffy]

It stands for Federal Cartridge.

When I see the big FC on the head of a rifle case, it gets chucked in the scrap brass bag. I won't even load it once, it's junk.

For handgun, I'll save it up until I have enough to load a bunch all at once. I load it for matches where you seldom have a chance to pick up your brass, sometimes they won't even let you. They can have it!

 

[beatledog7]

Snuffy,

I reload FC .40s all the time and haven't had issues beyond some relatively loose primer pockets. What signs should I be looking for? How does it differ from "Federal" headstamp brass.

 

[Scimmia]

The one with the dots on either side are made at a different plant, but it's still Federal. Rumor is that that plant makes rounds specifically for Wal-Mart.

 

[TonyT]

FC is Fedral ammo.

 

[higgite]

Federal says they're the same brass, made in different plants.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465250

 

[PO2Hammer]

Regular FC brass is my choice for accuracy loads in 9mm. It seems very consistent and the Federal Eagle 115 FMJ ammo I get it from seems to be the most accurate practice ammo.

I haven't gathered enough .FC. brass to try a batch.

 

[snuffy]

Snuffy,

I reload FC .40s all the time and haven't had issues beyond some relatively loose primer pockets. What signs should I be looking for? How does it differ from "Federal" headstamp brass.

That's the main reason I only load it once, the primer pockets get lose with normal pressure loads. The brass is so soft that +p loads will loosen the primer pocket enough to let it fall out. The brass is also thicker, so my oversize lead boolits will not work.

For the rifle brass, the primer pockets are often loose enough from the FACTORY firing to not hold a primer. JUNK!

 

[Hondo 60]

I reload Federal all the time.
In .223, I don't even have to trim the brass.
The once-fired brass comes in at 1.749-1.750
(and I know it's once-fired cuz I fired it)

 

[1SOW]

Who makes ".FC." marked brass.

"ATK" owns/makes FC, Speer, CCI, Blazer, Lawman and more 9mm brass. Also owns Alliant Powder, Blackhawk and much more.

http://www.atk.com/CorporateOverview/corpover_securitysporting.asp

 

[chubcobear]

Scimmia and Higgite, thanks for answer. I suspected it was same stuff, but some other makers in Mexico and Yugoslavia head stamp their brass "FC" also. I just wanted to be sure ".FC." was also USA made. I load a lot of it and it is good stuff for me in 9mm. 124 JRN, 4.0 bullseye, 1.13" OAL with that brass is great practice load for me. Thanks again.

 

[Nick93]

A shooting buddie reloaded his 9mm FC brass +15 times and the pockets are just fine ... the loads were 150gr at 950 fps from his hi power

i dont know about the rifle and other handgun FC cases but the 9mm have fairly thin walls ... because when I seat a 150gr bullet in the case it doest bulge like other brands like Winchester or Magtech ( the thickest brass i ever loaded) and they chamber just fine ...

When i started reloading the 9mm luger for accuracy i did a lot of test weighting and sorting by legth ... and the federal cases (from american eagle boxes) were the most uniform ...

i dont know about that .FC. but i guess its the same ...

Hope this helps ! Shoot Straight !

 

[chubcobear]

Nick,
With the knowledge I have now, I'm thinking they are pretty much the same case, made in different plants. I have also loaded in .FC. cases 147 grain Plated Berry RN over 3.8 gr bullseye with CCI primers. I made two boxes and shot them through a Kel Tec P-11. Surprised by soft recoil (for that gun and bullet weight) and accuracy of that load. .FC. cases have worked well for me so Far.