R-O-R-G 223 Brass - Any good?

[dcloco]

Received a small lot of this brass (once fired) - anybody else reload this brass?

 

[goon]

I think that is the headstamp for British Radway Green. It is military and will probably have crimped primer pocket.

 

[layusn1]

I have some that I have not shot but have heard they are good enough to reload.

 

[nitesite]

Royal Ordnance Radway Green Munitions Plant, British Army NATO 5.56mm ammunition.

Very good brass.

Perhaps a miniscule amount less case volume compared to .223 (non-NATO) brass because military brass is a bit thicker, according to some. Therefore, some data mentions a slightly lower powder charge to keep pressures in line. But it's only a couple of tenths as you work thru your load. I don't load MAX recipies so it doesn't make much difference to me, but if you want MAX be a little cautious.

The primer pockets are crimped, but after de-priming you can take a tool to cut away each pocket crimp just once and then forget about doing it ever again.

If you come across more RORG don't let it slip thru your grasp!

It's as good as Lake City or WCC or IMI brass.

 

[nitesite]

But if you have any doubt I'll trade you even up for once-fired Remington or Winchester brass. Seriously.

 

[dcloco]

Thanks gents.

Yes, crimped it was. Did I mention that a REALLLLLLLLLY like the new Dillon swager? Very quick, easy to setup, and makes nice primer pockets.

 

[crux]

Nothing but opinion here, and worth less than you paid for it.....

I've only reloaded around 200 but, I don't think its as Good as L.C., Win or RP. Weight variation in 100 cases can run 7gr around 91 to 98gr (RG92), though in a thread on AR15.com, babob found only 4gr variance in 100 RG93 cases. They tend to beat up the rims quickly and the case gauge won't work anymore. I wind up chamber checking most of them. I see this a lot more with nny, CJ, and other 2nd tier cases than with RP, Win, and LC. That said, yes they are reloadable, I just use them mostly for plinking ammo. Sorted for weight, they might do better.

 

[nitesite]

Hmmmm...

That's very interesting info. I weighed samples last month from the 200 or so cases I have and they weighed much closer to +/- 3 grains and the rims seem strong. The necks aren't stretching as much as some Winchester that I have.

Perhaps different years are more questionable.

And now that I re-read my first post I may want to retract my statement about them being as good as LC.

Thanks for your input! Good info.

 

[crux]

I hope its O.K. to link to other sites,

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=9&t=571761

babobs graph is at the bottom. His cases had less variation than mine did.

Have you tried to reload them more than once? On the second reload (3X) is when the Rim issues appeared. First reloading was 23gr DP68 with a 55fmj and CCI 400, not a hot load at all.

 

[dcloco]

I loaded 10 and fired once so far. But, I am using these in a bolt action rifle and neck sizing after being fired in this rifle.