Reloading Milspec Brass

[308win]

What is the maximum load for milspec brass vs load manual for commercial brass and how much velocity are you giving up for 308. Is all Lake City milspec or does milspec LC have an identifying headstamp?

 

[Black Snowman]

Depends on the brass I think. The I heard the Israli military brass I'm using was the next best thing to Lake City which is why I bought it. So far it seems fine. Only problem I've encountered is the rim seems slightly weak and can get dented or bent by the extractor more easily than say Winchester. But I got 500 rounds of surplus ammo for $144 delivered so I've got plenty of brass to go thorugh.

I'm loading a 45.5 gr of Varget pushing a Speer 168gr Moly HPBT. It's a slightly compressed load and barely below maximum. Seems to work like a charm. I chronoed it at 2750 average out of my CZ550 Varmit Laminate.

I've heard others say 10% down or starting loads only for most mil-spec brass.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Milspec Brass

All military or "GI" brass no matter the caliber produced for the military was produced to "Military Specifications" or "MILSPEC" whether it is the standard GI or the match brass that had more strigent "MILSPECS".

John Paul

 

[HankL]

308win, Any case that you have that is headstamped LC + a two digit date code is milspec.
Max loads depend on quite a few things including the case just because a manual says the max load for 308 win using x powder, y bullet etc. is 48.5 grains doesn't mean that it will be a max load in your rifle.
Milspec cases are in general, thicker than commercial cases. This gives the milspec case less internal volume than it's commercial counterpart. Less powder in the milspec case will yield the same pressure as more powder in the commercial case so you will not give up any velocity using the LC cases that you have.
If you have a Hogdons reloading manual around they have a load for 308 and one for 308 match. The match loads were worked up using GI brass. You can make a good comparison there.
HTH