.223 brass question

[Bucksnort1]

I found some .223 brass. Headstamp is PSD with what looks like the manufacture date of 22 (2022). It has no military/NATO markings; however, the primers are sealed.

I have not resized to see if the primer pocket has a crimp ring or other type of crimping.

Is this military brass?

 

[GeauxTide]

South Korean military.

 

[Bucksnort1]

Is it crimped?

 

[Metal god]

Yep should be per NATO spec . If it has the NATO stamp , it’s crimped

 

[jpx2rk]

If you have a de-cap or de-priming only die then just decap a few and see if you can insert/seat a spent primer back in without doing anything additional to the case. Sealant usually indicates a crimp/military, but not 100% of the time.

 

[Ifishsum]

All PSD brass I've encountered had crimped primers. Military/NATO version of PMC. Good enough brass to be worth the extra effort to ream/swage IMO

 

[DaleA]

Here's something you might be interested in (or might not).
RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2 for $22.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832

Disclaimer: I have never used it, just saw it in an advertisement.

 

[Marco Califo]

RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2

I have one and do not use it. It is not the best option. There are many better products, like this: Bosch
1/2 in. Titanium Countersink Drill Bit at Home Depot. Put it in a drill. It only takes 1/2 second to remove the crimp

 

[Metal god]

I agree with Marco , I have one of those and only used it for a short time . Needing to guide the case up into the die with that guide rod there is a very slow process compared to other methods . I went to cutting the crimp out by chucking a Lyman primer crimp remover bit into a drill . Worked just fine for many years and thousands of cases . I’ve since went to the Dillon super swager which is the best method IMO .

 

[DaleA]

Hmmm...my considered opinion would be to take the advice of those who have had some actual experience here (Metal god and Marco Califo) and do things their way.

 

[ballardw]

FWIW, I have used the RCBS Primer Pocket swager since about 1962. (Started at age 6 ).
Might be one of those places that you look at volume vs cost. Are doing 100 cases a year or 10,000? Any time or cost difference might to considered in that light.

 

[Metal god]

Yeah , I’d agree that cost ratio is not an unreasonable factor . The countersink bits are cheaper than that RCBS tool as well as the lyman primer crimp remover tool. That said the RCBS tool should in theory last longer but if you are only doing a couple hundred a year I don’t think it matters much which one you use . I do several hundred each session totaling a couple thousand a year so speed and convenience is a huge factor for me .

 

[Unclenick]

You can also use a small tip (on the right in this link) on a hand-operated deburring tool. One or two turns around the pocket and done. It takes even less effort (IMHO) than lifting an electric drill up; more control over cutting depth.

 

[AwayToTheRange]

IMHO, best option for swage and reaming that is consistent, fast, reliable and without fail is this fantastic modification to the Lee APP. https://youtu.be/Jjm1bXnSU8w