223 Brass

[justeric]

It sounds like 223 is probably worth reloading.

Where do you get your 223 brass? Is it advisable to pick others brass off the ground?

Is there an abundance of good brass on the ground after 3 gun matches?


Thanks,
Eric

 

[DoubleTap007]

I'm considering getting into re-loading, and what I have been doing is collecting my own brass after shooting and just keeping it until I make a decision.

 

[Pinecone]

1) Collect your own.

2) Buy once fired brass from online.

3) Pick up range brass, but you will get a mixed bag. And at matches, either the shooters pick up their own. If someone doesn't want theirs, the squad shares it. Some matches are "lost brass" in that you are not allowed to pick up your brass. The range officers pick it up between squads and get to keep it.

 

[justeric]

I'm considering getting into re-loading, and what I have been doing is collecting my own brass after shooting and just keeping it until I make a decision.

I would try to save as much of my brass as possible but when your doing 3 gun shoots, I don't think your given an opportunity to pick up your brass after you shoot. I suspect the course is littered with good brass for the small number of re-loaders ready to make it theirs. On the other hand, maybe there is a mad dash for the brass when it hits the ground. Brings back visions of when Mom would cook bbq pork chops and there was enough for everyone to get 2 and one person to get 3. I still eat fast as a result of that early conditioning.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

Never paid a red cent for .223 brass. Many feel its not worth reloading, and just leave it on the ground. But thats great for me, I pick up & process every last one of them. I end up paying 20 cents a round reloading my own, since Im not paying for the cases.

After awhile you start acquiring LOTS of free cases. I process my cases, sort them by headstamp, and bag them by headstamp. That way when I need to load, I just prime charge & seat.

The pic below is just my reserve cases - not what I already have loaded. Some of those 1 gallon bags are so stuffed I can barely shut them

If your worried about losing your cases, invest in a brass catcher, if you shooting an AR. They are cheap enough and work well.

 

[Pinecone]

When I shot USPSA, the others in your squad would pick up the brass (if not a lost brass event) and give it to you, if you wanted it. If you did not want it, they would split it amoung those who did.

As I mentioned, in lost brass events, the range officers pick it up and split it.

 

[byf43]

Many years ago, when I was 2nd VP at SCSC, permission was secured for the Sheriff's Dept. "EST" Team to use our range.

Since I was in charge of the range, I took the day off, to watch/witness what happened.

I took along some of my 'stuff', and a 5 gallon bucket.

The Sgt. asked what I wanted done with the brass that they expend.

"Just put it right here, in this bucket. I'll take care of it, from there."


When we secured the range, that 5 gallon bucket was 3/4 full of .223, 9mm and .308 brass.
(Mostly .223 and 9mm!)



(I know. I'm a rotten bastige!!!) Ha!

 

[gregaarms]

I have a bunch of .223 range brass with a head stamp of G.F.L. They were picked up from a LE range. I figured out that it's Fiocchi brass (Giulio Fiocchi, Lecco, Italy.)

Has anyone reloaded this brass before? Is it any good?

 

[Traveler]

I hear it is decent.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846395

 

[gregaarms]

I hear it is decent.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846395

Thanks for your input Traveler.

That makes me feel a little better. I'm just going to use it for plinking ammo. I have a bunch of 9mm and 45acp with the same G.F.L. head stamp as well. All the 45acp is small primer though.

 

[Speed3]

What is the going price for once fire Lake city brass now?

 

[shaddydan]

I have a bunch of .223 range brass with a head stamp of G.F.L. They were picked up from a LE range. I figured out that it's Fiocchi brass (Giulio Fiocchi, Lecco, Italy.)

Has anyone reloaded this brass before? Is it any good?

Some of the GFL I have processed have the primer holes waaay off center. Otherwise seems decent enough.

 

[gregaarms]

What is the going price for once fire Lake city brass now?

I've seen it average about $.10 per round lately.

Some of the GFL I have processed have the primer holes waaay off center. Otherwise seems decent enough.

In the process of de-priming this stuff and you are exactly right! The primer holes are all over the place. On some they are soo far off I cant deprime it in fear of breaking my de-capper. The 9mm G.F.L. brass I is the worst out of all 3 calibers I have so far.

 

[Melnic]

Many years ago, when I was 2nd VP at SCSC, permission was secured for the Sheriff's Dept. "EST" Team to use our range.



"Just put it right here, in this bucket. I'll take care of it, from there."


When we secured the range, that 5 gallon bucket was 3/4 full of .223, 9mm and .308 brass.
(Mostly .223 and 9mm!)



(I know. I'm a rotten bastige!!!) Ha!

You performed a service you helped the Sheriff's Dept stay "green". This would be like you going over and emptying their blue recycling paper bin and then using it to make new paper. yup, same thing. You should get a "Major Award" for this.

 

[Ovid]

I just keep my own, I shoot enough that I'm building up quite the collection.

 

[Clippers69]

The GFI .223 brass that I found being used by Federal Agencies is loaded with frangible bullets. This is a reduced pressure round. Some of the flash holes are off-center, but the ones that I get do not need trimming. I trimmed a few hundred at first, but I got almost nothing in brass shavings. They clean up well and when cleaned in stainless steel media, they are like brand new. I have reloaded thousands of them and they shoot just as good as LC or any other factory ammo.

 

[Fishinblues]

Some of the GFL I have processed have the primer holes waaay off center. Otherwise seems decent enough.

Buy extra decapping stems. I went through way to many Dillon and Lee stems from the off center flash holes on the GFL 223 brass. All GFL Brass goes into the trash now. It is just not worth reloading on a progressive press.

 

[jimbobborg]

All of my .223 brass is range pickup. I dig through the buckets at the back of the NRA Range sometimes. Same with most of my pistol brass. The only brass I have purchased is for my oddball cartridges.

 

[gregaarms]

Thanks for the info on the G.F.L. brass...

I got another one for you guys. Has anyone had any experience reloading .223 brass with the head stamp PSD?

cartridgecollectors.org says its:

Poongsan Metal Manufacturing Company Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea (probably at the Dongrae Ammunition Plant)

Hopefully this stuff is better than the G.F.L. junk I acquired.

 

[Teflon]

After awhile you start acquiring LOTS of free cases. I process my cases, sort them by headstamp, and bag them by headstamp. That way when I need to load, I just prime charge & seat.

Have you noticed a big difference in accuracy based on case headstamp? To be honest, I've never paid much attention to headstamp. I worked up a bullet/primer/powder load combination but never worried about the case.