Weird pattern on head stamp

[null]

Hi I'm collecting brass to start reloading in the fall and noticed an odd pattern on a few of the cases I have picked up from the range. Has anyone seen this kind of pattern and do you think it's safe to reload?


In case the photo is not clear enough to read it is LC 13 or 14 stamped 5.56.

 

[obsolete]

That is lake city us military brass with a crimped pocket. Great stuff. Buy a swaging tool and have fun.

 

[StaFrosty]

Just a military crimp, they load em balls to the wall I just ream it out, trim to length, check for stress cracks and reload em and shoot.

 

[null]

Thanks for the info, good group we have on here.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Stake crimping. Lake City is where you'll most likely see it.

Prep your primer pockets as you typically do. Load em up.

 

[outrider58]

Recommend you buy one of these if you plan on reloading military type brass(5.56 & 308)

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/319662/rcbs-bench-mounted-primer-pocket-swager?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[Pinecone]

I prefer the Dillon Super Swage 600

https://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600

You may also need a Lee Universal Decapping die to get the primers out. Or, stock up on decapping pins as you WILL break them.

If you only have a few cases, this works fine:

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1064643126/lyman-primer-pocket-reamer-tool?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I have done thousands of cases with a reamer, but if you have more than a few hundred, I would get a swager.

 

[outrider58]

I prefer the Dillon Super Swage 600

https://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600

You may also need a Lee Universal Decapping die to get the primers out. Or, stock up on decapping pins as you WILL break them.

If you only have a few cases, this works fine:

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1064643126/lyman-primer-pocket-reamer-tool?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I have done thousands of cases with a reamer, but if you have more than a few hundred, I would get a swager.

My standard RCBS sizer/decapper die handles those without issues. I've processed thousands of cases and haven't broken a pin yet but, always have extra pins on hand, just in case.

 

[Pinecone]

You have been lucky.

I have broken a number of pins with crimped primers.

 

[Traveler]

Superswage 600. Hate the price, love the device.