Brass memories

[Megawatt maker]

My brass is showing my age. For a very long time, back before I got into ARs, before my Mini 14 era even, some little bug inside my head told me to gather up and save 556/223 brass...going way back. Even when I got heavy into reloading, I never even considered reloading 556/223...the stuff was just too cheap...and at the time, it was the age of "broad side of barn" accuracy for Mini 14s anyway...it was just more fun to spray lead with them...

My time in the Army was 1989-1995. It funny, a metic crap ton of my 556 brass just happens to be Lake City 91, and 92...funny how these things work out. The luxury of being in supply I suppose...plus an old school Sargent showing me the ropes (himself a big time reloader)...

But anyway...how I came into these 20mm ammo cans full of 556 brass is a forgotten mystery...but fast foward 30+ years...Its kinda handy having them around. Along the years...I've picked up some really weird brass too...headstamp CY 92, CY 93...which turns out is Norinco brass...which is actually not bad stuff.

I've also found in my sorting a bunch of LC 78, LC 85, LC 86, LC 88....

One thing I have noticed...the LC brass from the 80s and Early 90s is far superior to the stuff from 2000+. Its 2 grains heavier, the headstamps are nice and clear (the 2000s stuff kinda looks smeared)..and I've discovered that a good part of the 2000s stuff necks crack when resizing, but the older stuff doesn't.

Anyway...all this is just an observation that makes me feel old....sigh.......

 

[Cemetery21]

76P/76Y supply sgt. here. Never got home with brass. But I did have quite a bit of LC71 back then that was very good brass.
Now I've been using LC '11 and '13 brass and quite a bit of various WCC that is consistent and lasts well.

 

[lightman]

Cool post! Thank You for Your Service! And yeah, LC is good brass.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’m wondering if the post 9-11 calls to battle led to more rushed production, and the subsequent decrease in your observed brass quality, compared to the comparatively peaceful 80’s-90’s era.

(I’m Just speculating, I really have no idea.)

Stay safe.

 

[Megawatt maker]

76P/76Y supply sgt. here. Never got home with brass. But I did have quite a bit of LC71 back then that was very good brass.
Now I've been using LC '11 and '13 brass and quite a bit of various WCC that is consistent and lasts well.

It wasn't stolen...at least officially. The Sargent gave me some paperwork and two ammo cans full of brass..told me if anyone questioned it...show them the paperwork and it would be fine. Nobody ever even asked about it, or even glanced at it on my way off base and home. I don't have the paperwork anymore (30 years ago), and I don't remember the details (nor did I really pay close attention back then), but my old Sargent was a crafty devil..so I suspect it was a shady deal of some kind...but now I'm glad I have it...brass is getting harder to get now too.

76Y myself. Thank you for your service!

 

[Megawatt maker]

Here's an example of the differences.

LC 91...LC92...LC 19

 

[bullseye308]

Man, I just traded off some old brass I have been holding on to for years hoping to get to use it again. Some was Western 30-30 and some was Sears 30-30 and 38, and a bunch of S&W 357. I know I have had it going on 25 years, and it wasn't new when I got it.

 

[kcofohio]

Here's an example of the differences.

LC 91...LC92...LC 19
View attachment 1045763

I would be curious of if there is much difference in water capacity between the span of years.

 

[Megawatt maker]

I would be curious of if there is much difference in water capacity between the span of years.

I don't know, I've never done that. I do know the 2000s lots are a lot lighter in weight. The older LC is almost all 2 grains heavier...even RP, FC, PMC brass I have is even heavier...

So, I'd suspect it to have more capacity, since its lighter...also explains why I'm getting some (not tons...about 1 in 25 or so) cracked necks while resizing. It could be that its thinner, or maybe different alloys compared to earlier LC....I don't know..

 

[Blue68f100]

Most all brass made before the 80's are heavier than todays current production. Back then most brass was toward the max in wall thickness and spec. Now it's what ever it takes to make spec with less brass. New brass is at trim length, where older brass was at spec or longer.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I've got a pretty good supply of nato brass from the 60's 70s and a ton of 82 and it is very good stuff.

the only brass I've ever tossed the whole lot of was LC 07.