Mystery Case - Sort of a Trick Question

[hdwhit]

I recently ordered a quantity of primed .223/5.56 cases that were supposed to have been pulled down as part of a de-mil operation. I was attracted by the price, but the

• Condition of the cases,
• Diversity of headstamps,
  
• Some (but not all) of the military brass had the primer crimps removed by a rather careless and inconsistent reaming operation,
  
• Diversity of primer manufacturers represented,
  
• Almost every primer had a multitude of small dimples (like several light firing pin strikes), and
• Several primers, although still live actually had holes in the bottom of the primer cup,

makes me believe they were actually from someone reloading on a commercial scale - someone whose process, care and quality would have made even the cavalier "me" of 40 years ago recoil in horror. This is something I will certainly not do again as I have invested more time dealing with these primed cases than I would have had I just bought range brass and prepared it myself.

But what I am posting about is to see if anyone can identify the case on the left in the photograph below that was amongst the cases I received.



It is shown next to a normal (LC74 headstamp) 5.56 case. As i indicated in the title, this is sort of a trick question and I'll reveal the headstamp of the case on the left after everyone has had a chance to guess.

The dimensions (in inches) of the case on the left are:

Diameter of the case at the rim: 0.378 (same as 223/5.56)
Length from case head to neck: 1.392
Diameter at the shoulder: 0.355
Outside diameter of the neck
-- at the base of the neck: 0.257
-- at the case mouth: 0.247
Overall length of the case: 1.696​

And thanks for playing on this episode of My Reloading Nighmare.

 

[edwardware]

Looks like a .222 Rem conversion from .223/5.56 brass. I've made several hundred for my CZ.

You can see the old neck/shoulder junction midway down the new neck.

Edit to add: as an aid to the rest of us, I think you should name the source so we can be forewarned.

 

[lightman]

My guess would also be a 222 conversion from a 5.56 case.

 

[FROGO207]

It does look like 222 sized brass without the neck trimmed to me. as well

 

[Demi-human]

You say the headstamp reveals the cartridge, so it is not a conversion then?

 

[Allen One1]

222 Remington

 

[Walkalong]

.222 - .223 - .222 Mag

Stole the pic from the internet.

 

[hdwhit]

I concur with it being a 222 from 223 conversion (parent case is a GFL 223) but was thrown by the fact that the area above the ring on the neck only had an inside diameter of 0.219 which seemed kind of tight for .224 diameter bullets.

I have not contacted the seller to let them know I was disappointed with the description and what I received and given them a chance to respond. So, until I contact them and they reply (or a suitable amount of time goes by that I can assume they're not going to reply), it's best to keep the seller's name to myself.

 

[GBExpat]

... Almost every primer had a multitude of small dimples (like several light firing pin strikes), and ...

FWIW, that is what you will see on ammo that has been stored loose during (a lot of) transport.

 

[edwardware]

I concur with it being a 222 from 223 conversion (parent case is a GFL 223) but was thrown by the fact that the area above the ring on the neck only had an inside diameter of 0.219 which seemed kind of tight for .224 diameter bullets.

In my experience, 223 to 222 conversions need neck turning. If that hasn't been done then they'll be a step at the location that used to be the neck/shoulder junction, and the whole neck will likely be thick. It looks like that piece has been FL sized but not expanded, or the step would be on the outside.

 

[rsrocket1]

So, until I contact them and they reply (or a suitable amount of time goes by that I can assume they're not going to reply), it's best to keep the seller's name to myself.

You should get a full refund of your money. Sounds like the lot was totally misrepresented and was probably just range pickup with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. A bad reaming job on a primer crimp could result in a loose primer fit and bolt face erosion on your gun. Secondly, I wouldn't trust the case lengths or headspace on the brass either.

If it was truly "demilled" military ammo, the cases would all be in spec for case length and headspace. If you are going to keep this junk, you should treat it as range scrap pickup and do a full process on all the brass including full length resizing, case trimming and primer pocket swaging (not reaming). If the primers go in too easily, be prepared to deprime and scrap the case or you may wind up with loose primers in the action of your gun.