The many heads of Federal 223 brass

[mstreddy]

I was sorting some of my 223 brass yesterday. Yes, I know, why???
I knew that FC brass came in a couple of flavors, but actually I found at least 5 variations in the head stamps.

Here is what I've found.

and another angle

Better view of right side of image

From top left
1 - FC 223 Rem and a 2 digit year crimped
2 - FC 223 Rem larger font sometimes crimped sometimes not - these have a propensity towards neck splits.
3 - FC 223 (circle) Rem small font crimped
4 - FC 223 Rem small font crimped
5 - FC (circle) 223 (circle) Rem (circle) large font crimped
Bottom row
1 - FC 2 Digit Year and number at 3 o'clock crimped
2 - FC 2 Digit Year Crimped
3 - FC 2 Digit Year and number at 3 and 9 o'clock crimped
4 - FC 2 Digit Year Crimped
5 - FC 2 Digit Year and number at 3 and 9 o'clock crimped
items 2 and 4 on bottom row are known from military source. 3 and 5 seem to be, but I can't remember where I picked them up.

Now, why go through these? Because as I mentioned above some of the FC brass has been known to be prone to neck splits. I need to separate them to keep an eye on them and maybe just use them for 300 Blackout cases. The other reason is, have to swage the crimped ones.

 

[atblis]

Some are pretty thin around the web.

 

[Sunray]

As I recall, Federal Cartridge Co. has been owned by everybody and his brother. Currently owned by ATK Sporting Group. And not always made in the same plant. Federal has an Austrian and a German plant.
Anything with .223 Rem on it will be commercial sporting ammo.
Crimped primers indicate military use. Mind you, Federal is not the only manufacturer to use 'FC'. Departmento de la Industrial Militar, Mexico City, Mexico and Prvi Partizan also use it. Both non-NATO countries. Hence, no NATO stamp.

 

[mstreddy]

FC 223 Rem with crimped primers is also found in Federal's American Eagle branded commercial ammo.

 

[moxie]

You'll find similar headstamp variations on .223 cases made by other manufacturers as well. Part of the fun. And 9mm, .45acp, etc., etc.

 

[genebofunk]

There's at least one more that I've seen and that is the one with NT stamped as well for non toxic.

 

[243winxb]

How to measure 223/5.56 web thickness

With Photos http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=276154

Post #2 Some are pretty thin around the web

True. Some older ones. I dont think its a major problem, unless loading to hot maximum 5.56 load data ??

 

[mstreddy]

Gene, I've seen the non toxic in 9mm, 40 and 45, but not in 223 -- yet.
I didn't know about the thinner web area -- interesting.

And yeah, there's a wide variety of head stamps out there, but as I was sorting I kept finding "Different" FC brass head stamps. Lake City variation that I've normally run across is either Nato cross stamped or not. WCC is pretty consistent. RP, Winchester, PMC, PSD, PPU, and Fiocchi are pretty standard as well.

 

[spitballer]

May be oversized flash holes in some of them thar cases, too. Years ago I got some cases with oversize flash holes an I believe they were federals. Had crimped primers, as I recall.