5.56longhorn
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Best place to buy 5.56 brass??
Best place to buy 5.56 brass??
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W.E.G.
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The unfired LC cases at Natchez, etc. are absolutely the way to go.
If you don't load mega-maximum loads in them, you should get several reliable firings out of them, even if you shoot them in a gas gun.
If you don't load mega-maximum loads in them, you should get several reliable firings out of them, even if you shoot them in a gas gun.
CMV
Member
Craigslist - I bought 1k of 1x fired Lake City real cheap.
I thought I wouldn't buy new brass because typically for a few $ more I could just buy loaded commercial ammo instead.
But that deal on LC at Natchez is really good.
Even if you do get that, I'd start with some 1x fired cases - even a smaller batch at least. I think new brass first time is going to spoil you
Plus might as well learn how to set up everything, inspect, & use everything now. You don't want to get ready to load the 2nd time & then realize you need something to clean pockets, don't have any case lube, don't have a case gage, etc. because you didn't need any of that the first go around.
Just my 2¢
I thought I wouldn't buy new brass because typically for a few $ more I could just buy loaded commercial ammo instead.
But that deal on LC at Natchez is really good.
Even if you do get that, I'd start with some 1x fired cases - even a smaller batch at least. I think new brass first time is going to spoil you
Plus might as well learn how to set up everything, inspect, & use everything now. You don't want to get ready to load the 2nd time & then realize you need something to clean pockets, don't have any case lube, don't have a case gage, etc. because you didn't need any of that the first go around.Just my 2¢
FROGO207
Member
I have had good luck here in the buy/sell reloading components section. Also on gunbroker.com. The only way to get a great deal is to buy in bulk IMHO--1K or more at a time for any reasonable savings. If you only want a couple hundred then the new at Natchez is the way to go as the primer pockets are not crimped and that removing that crimp is not needed and saves a good amount of time. Some vendors sell once fired 5.56 resized with the crimps removed.
J_McLeod
Member
That is a great deal at Natchez. 120 for 1k new cases.
Would new 5.56mm brass need to be trimmed?
Would new 5.56mm brass need to be trimmed?
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beatledog7
Member
You won't know until you full-length size it and measure it. Yes, you must do that.
J_McLeod
Member
Why do you have to do that to new brass? That makes it only slightly better than used brass.
MtnCreek
Member
I full length size new brass. It's been pretty common for me to find out of spec necks on new brass. I check brass length on a few and call the rest good (never needed to trim new brass).
FROGO207
Member
You may trust the manufacturer of the particular brass but I do not trust them that every piece of brass is resized correctly until I have done it. This also sizes the neck for my purposes and removed any out of round necks. I have found .05 variations for length of factory new brass in WIN and RP as well as poor edges at the neck opening that would catch a bullet when inserting. You should at least chamfer the inside of the neck with ALL new to you brass, unless it is to be expanded first, before trying to reload it for the first time or after length sizing it.
beatledog7
Member
New brass is sometimes not even round. Size it.
LeonCarr
Member
Quote:
Would new 5.56mm brass need to be trimmed?
"You won't know until you full-length size it and measure it. Yes, you must do that. "
Not neccessarly, have never full length sized brand new rifle brass. Would only consider doing it if something was off on the shoulder measurement.
Most new rifle cases i just neck size, chamfer inside and outside case mouth if needed, then check for consistent oal. This brass may not even need that, but would tumble em and check primer holes. The ones measured were very consistent in length. Am guessing they were surplused due to head stamp. Have not loaded any yet.
Would new 5.56mm brass need to be trimmed?
"You won't know until you full-length size it and measure it. Yes, you must do that. "
Not neccessarly, have never full length sized brand new rifle brass. Would only consider doing it if something was off on the shoulder measurement.
Most new rifle cases i just neck size, chamfer inside and outside case mouth if needed, then check for consistent oal. This brass may not even need that, but would tumble em and check primer holes. The ones measured were very consistent in length. Am guessing they were surplused due to head stamp. Have not loaded any yet.
5.56longhorn
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Thanks guys!!
CollinLeon
member
Depends upon how much you need... You can get a pretty good price on it if you buy it surplus from the military... You just need to look out for the auctions on govliquidation.com... Here's one:
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4964366&convertTo=USD
Best way to search would be for the term "5.56"...
Usually, the brass has not be mutilated, but sometimes you'll find a facility that has DEMILed (i.e. mangled / mutilated) it and as such, it would only be worth anything as scrap brass...
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4964366&convertTo=USD
Best way to search would be for the term "5.56"...
Usually, the brass has not be mutilated, but sometimes you'll find a facility that has DEMILed (i.e. mangled / mutilated) it and as such, it would only be worth anything as scrap brass...
MtnCreek
Member
Most gov auctions require you set up an account and make a deposit prior to bidding. So if you have $10 thousand laying around, a dump truck and enough spare time to drill holes in a few thousand 20mm cases (while on site), go for it. Otherwise you could purchase mil-surp from the people that scrap for a living and be out around $55/k plus shipping.
CollinLeon
member
If you don't bid on any of the ones with 20mm cases, you at least don't need to DEMIL it...
Doesn't the 20mm rounds us an electrical charge for it's "primer" instead of a mechanical action? Or maybe that was the 30mm... I seem to remember that was the case for one of the rounds...
I did see one of the auctions where they also had 75mm and 40mm rounds, but they were not requiring you to DEMIL it.
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4966596&convertTo=USD
The 75mm round appears to be a M337 with is a blank from for a howitzer.
http://www.army-technology.com/features/feature106869/
dnmccoy
Member
The classifieds here are a good place too...I wouldnt pay more than $55/1000 shipped
CollinLeon
member
Also over at castboolits.gunloads.com is pretty good... If I came across a single 55g barrel filled with a mix of 5.56, 7.62, and .50BMG at the government auction site, I would bid on it. I would then just sell off the .50BMG stuff to those who really have a need for it. I don't have a .50BMG rifle nor do I see a need for one in my future.
J_McLeod
Member
I'd bid on anything brass if it was local. I wonder what shipping is for 5,000 lbs?
CollinLeon
member
Personally, I limit myself to a distance an amount of brass that I can either put in the bed of my pickup or haul in a rented trailer. Plus, it would have to be close enough that I wouldn't mind driving there... I figure that means anything in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and *maybe* Arkansas... There are plenty of companies out there that do the shipping though... I've priced them for a Harley that I bought on police auction east of Atlanta, GA and decided to just drive my pickup there and put it in the bed of the pickup instead.
bubbacrabb
Member
I've sold a lot of 556 brass on here. Don't think ill be selling much anymore, but I wouldn't pay over 40 dollars for 1k. A frb is 12 bucks which 2k will fit in. Just walking around places I know people shoot at I can usually find 250 pieces a day. Of course its once fired and not new, but 556 is pretty abundant for free out there. It's also not that easy to sell so offer what u want and see if they will budge.
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