5.56 Brass question

[Burnt Drag]

I've gotten several second hand answers to this question, What are the steps to processing military 5.56 cases. I've seen them processed, and
un processed on Gun Poker, and I'm just curious to hear the truth from someone who has actually done it.

Thanks in advance
Jim

 

[TennJeep1618]

The steps I take are as follows:

- Tumble
- Size/Deprime
- Swage primer pockets to remove crimp
- Trim
- Chamfer, Deburr, Clean primer pockets, brush the inside of the case to remove any brass shavings
- Prime
- Charge with powder
- Seat bullet
- Crimp

 

[JohnAL]

The steps I take are as follows:

- Tumble
- Size/Deprime
- Swage primer pockets to remove crimp
- Trim
- Chamfer, Deburr, Clean primer pockets, brush the inside of the case to remove any brass shavings
- Prime
- Charge with powder
- Seat bullet
- Crimp

That pretty well covers it but you don't have to tumble. Cases can be cleaned by other methods. I have been reloading 40+ years and have never owned a tumbler or any other case cleaning machine.
Trimming is not always necessary.
You can remove the primer crimp with a chamfer tool or large drill bit.
It's not always necessary to crimp.
$0.02

Trimming, chamfering, and swaging are a PITA. If you can afford the processed cases then go for it.

 

[SouthBound]

"If you can afford the processed cases then go for it."

Totally agree with that! Unless its a real good deal or you just have a lot of time you want to piddle around with the brass, get it processed. I bought 1K for $40.00 one time so that was worth the extra effort and gave me something to do for a few nights.

 

[bigbulls]

The only extra step in military brass is swaging/chamfering the primer pocket.

 

[Burnt Drag]

Guys, thanks for the timely and concise responses. I'm a bit like John, I've got a tumbler, but I want my cases clean... not necessarily shiney.

 

[TennJeep1618]

As I told those who came to my reloading class: I like shiny things.

 

[JohnAL]

I'm waiting on a comment from Rick about not tumbling. :couch2:

 

[TennJeep1618]

I'm waiting on a comment from Rick about not tumbling. :couch2:

It will be something along these lines: uke:

 

[shootnstarz]

I'm waiting on a comment from Rick about not tumbling. :couch2:

What can I say John, I tumble mine twice to make up for you not tumbling yours.

I like shiny, shiny coins, shiny trucks, shiny brass....................................

RH

 

[JohnAL]

:thumb:

 

[Burnt Drag]

Well, that auction in Anniston was enlightening. The average selling price was around 3.30 per pound. The smallest lot was 1180 pounds. Myself and a couple of other people were going to split a "lot" ... Research is showing these going for between 7.9 cents per case to 10 cents a case around the web. Math on one of the lots showed that the cases sold for around 4.8 cents per case. Because many of the suppliers were out of stock on the stuff, it seems as if it's moving.

 

[oneshot]

dillion 1050 super that's all I'm going to say. Just my 2 cents jj

 

[Gulf Coast O]

dillion 1050 super that's all I'm going to say. Just my 2 cents jj

Amen to that one, the military crimp on the Lake City stuff is a challenge to some but at least you know it has been once fired if the crimp is still there. You will also find the crimp in some of the other military brass such as WCC (western cartridge company) 9mm.

Personally I would rather have the military stuff rather than civilian brass but opinions in the reloading field are a dime a dozen.