Jeffenwulf
New member
Hey all, looking for information both on good brass to reload as well as a question about what's happening to my brass upon extraction.
I already load for other calibers, but 5.56 NATO seems to be a bit different that what I'm used to. I recently picked up a Sig 556 and will probably get her a friend later this year. It's probably going to be an AR variant or HK. I won't start reloading this for a while until I get a better feel for what I need. However, I figure I should probably buy ammunition with brass that I'm going to reload later.
Since the 556 has a 1 in 7 twist, I'll probably end up loading heavier bullets. What I've purchased new so far are Federal XM193 and American Eagle XM193C. As far as I can tell they're the same thing in different boxes, manufactured in Anoka MN. I understand that since these are 5.56 I'll need to remove the primer crimp before reloading.
I've found already with this Federal stuff that the extractor seems to be slightly damaging the base of the brass. In addition there's a slight indent in the brass just above the rim of the case which also seems to have been caused during extraction. I've searched this forum and seen that Federal brass is not recommended. Looking at the headstamp though I see from top clockwise L-C-8-0. As far as I can tell that's Lake City and supposed to be very good. I also see that the Anoka Federal plant is supposed to be headstamped FC, but it's clearly L at 12 o'clock and C at 3 o'clock.
Since I'm more confused than ever, I'd appreciate your input. I have plenty of time before I do anything since I'm just getting started in this caliber. I can post up pictures if necessary. If I end up having to run only new stuff through the Sig and it damages the brass, I probably won't be shooting it much.
** Edit - Since my camera is autofocus, I can't get it to focus well enough to show the damaged brass.
I already load for other calibers, but 5.56 NATO seems to be a bit different that what I'm used to. I recently picked up a Sig 556 and will probably get her a friend later this year. It's probably going to be an AR variant or HK. I won't start reloading this for a while until I get a better feel for what I need. However, I figure I should probably buy ammunition with brass that I'm going to reload later.
Since the 556 has a 1 in 7 twist, I'll probably end up loading heavier bullets. What I've purchased new so far are Federal XM193 and American Eagle XM193C. As far as I can tell they're the same thing in different boxes, manufactured in Anoka MN. I understand that since these are 5.56 I'll need to remove the primer crimp before reloading.
I've found already with this Federal stuff that the extractor seems to be slightly damaging the base of the brass. In addition there's a slight indent in the brass just above the rim of the case which also seems to have been caused during extraction. I've searched this forum and seen that Federal brass is not recommended. Looking at the headstamp though I see from top clockwise L-C-8-0. As far as I can tell that's Lake City and supposed to be very good. I also see that the Anoka Federal plant is supposed to be headstamped FC, but it's clearly L at 12 o'clock and C at 3 o'clock.
Since I'm more confused than ever, I'd appreciate your input. I have plenty of time before I do anything since I'm just getting started in this caliber. I can post up pictures if necessary. If I end up having to run only new stuff through the Sig and it damages the brass, I probably won't be shooting it much.
** Edit - Since my camera is autofocus, I can't get it to focus well enough to show the damaged brass.