Match brass

[Calfed]

I've got an opportunity to buy some unfired LC-62 match brass. I've got a few questions:

Is the age going to be a problem? I've heard of something called "age hardening" of brass. I know nothing about it or whether it even exists. The brass, however, is almost 50 years old.

Is LC match brass really any better than current commercial brass or regular HXP or LC military brass?

Thanks

Information

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[Parashooter]

Is the age going to be a problem? I've heard of something called "age hardening" of brass. I know nothing about it or whether it even exists. The brass, however, is almost 50 years old.

Is LC match brass really any better than current commercial brass or regular HXP or LC military brass?

1. By the 1960's (actually by the 1920's) US manufacturers had learned to apply an effective neck/shoulder anneal, largely eliminating the corrosion stress cracking ("season checking") often found in older cartridges.

2. LC match cases differ from regular LC production of the same era only in the headstamp and lack of primer crimp. Overall quality is no better or worse. (See the topic at https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20951 for what seems a more accurate answer.)

[JBS]

I still shoot LC from the 60’s. Match brass can have more than one description. It could be head stamped “match” or it can be match prepped or both. When I match prep brass if it is new to me I small base size the first time and then after that I neck size only, even for auto loading arms. I clean it till spotless. I cut the primer pocket inside and out. I de-bur the flash hole inside and out. I drill all flash holes to the correct size for the caliber. I trim to length and cut the neck square. I bevel the neck inside and out. I some times turn the neck if needed. I then sort the cases by weight in plus or minus half grain increments. Depending on the caliber I anneal the case necks every third reloading to eliminate “Work Hardening” Have never had a problem with age hardening unless the case was exposed to mercury primers or black powder.

Most LC brass is of good quality and of a good alloy. It is regarded highly because it is Mil spec and holds up well if taken care of, especially when abused in an auto loading arm.

[Edward Horton]

Or buy new cases that are 48 years younger





Prvi Partizan brass is excellent and much thicker in the base web area than American commercial ammunition. $12.50 a box of 20


Prvi .308 150grn Soft Point 20rd box

[Patrick Chadwick]

Edward, thanks for the endurance test info. Those cases all lasted very well with full-length sizing. It would interest me to know how long a case can last with neck-sizing only. My experience suggests very, very long indeed.

I have a large number of RWS/Geco 30-06 cases that, after first firing, have only ever been neck sized and fired in the same rifle (M1917) with the same orientation. Initially, I was going to dutifully mark ease case each time it was fired. I have now lost count and given up marking, as those cases look as if they might outlast my active shooting life.

The rifle was arsenal-mint (i.e. dinged from being shunted around, but internally as-new) and has a head clearance of about 0.006" on fully-formed new cases. I reckon the working of the body of the case after first-firing is within elastic limits, but presumably one day the neck will fail. Does anyone have an idea when that might be? 30-40-50 neck sizings x 500 cases? I shall probably never find out.

Patrick

[gunner]

Hi Steve,

i use to sorts of cases, the very good and loglife PRVI ( .30-06, .303 etc.) and the more expensive but extremly good Lapua cases. ( .308W, 6.5 Swede)
The RWS/Geco cases that Patrick stated are also a good choice.

@ Patrick,

i use some of my cases since 8 years without any problems.

Regards

Gunner

[JBS]

Edward, thanks for the endurance test info. Those cases all lasted very well with full-length sizing. It would interest me to know how long a case can last with neck-sizing only. My experience suggests very, very long indeed.

I have a large number of RWS/Geco 30-06 cases that, after first firing, have only ever been neck sized and fired in the same rifle (M1917) with the same orientation. Initially, I was going to dutifully mark ease case each time it was fired. I have now lost count and given up marking, as those cases look as if they might outlast my active shooting life.

The rifle was arsenal-mint (i.e. dinged from being shunted around, but internally as-new) and has a head clearance of about 0.006" on fully-formed new cases. I reckon the working of the body of the case after first-firing is within elastic limits, but presumably one day the neck will fail. Does anyone have an idea when that might be? 30-40-50 neck sizings x 500 cases? I shall probably never find out.
Patrick

During my later years of competition I found that 5.56 cases that were neck sized only would vertical neck split on the fourth or fifth reloading even when fired in very tight custom chambers and necks. I started annealing case necks with a neck ring burner at reload #3. After that I only lost case to “lost in the stinking grass” , “stolen by the fellow next to me”, and “primer pocket wear” after about 18 loads. This info is just for the 5.56 and .223 I have not found this same problems with other cartridges.

[duggaboy]

We all know that match is stamped onto brass for a good reason, that is to be able to ID this brass from other stuff we shoot. I have shot/loaded all types of brass, and the best is certainly Lapua for any caliber. I also have lots of exerience shooting and loading match/LR typed LC and other maker type GI brass. I really like the match brass and would have to say I like the price/availability also. take your pick, but prep your brass carefully and it will shoot better for you.

[Parashooter]

We all know that match is stamped onto brass for a good reason, that is to be able to ID this brass from other stuff we shoot.

. . . and I suppose "NM" brass was marked so we can reload it for use only at the National Matches?

[Calif-Steve]

MATCH ammo was issued to Teams and used at practice and various matches. NM was issued at the national matches. Both are very good and will run right for you. If, I remember right NM .30-'06 was essentially hand loaded at Lake City. They had a special loading machine and loaded 1000(?) cases at a time. Actually didn't take that long to load up 1,000,000 rounds for a NM Lot.