Lake City Brass in Canada? Other options? .223 and 6.5 CM

quikcolin

quikcolin

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I'm new to reloading, as many of you know. My reloading table is together, press mounted and every little reloading related item purchased and ready to go.

Now I need to physically reload. Which brings me to brass.

I have a ton of Hornady 223 brass from a few boxes of American Gunner 55g ammo... a few boxes of brass that were Hornady VMAX 55g ammo, and about 300 cartridges of Federal "Black Pack" (cheap ammo) in 223.

I've read mixed reviews about the Hornady brass *some say good, some say it's terrible*... and the general opinion of Federal brass is that it's pure crap. However, most guys say that "Lake City" brass is amazing, affordable and the "go to". But I can't find it anywhere in Canada?

I'm looking to reload both .223 for semi auto, and bolt. Also 6.5 Creedmoor in semi auto. Can anyone offer some BRASS guidance?

Thx!
 
Shoot your ammo. Reload the brass that you have. Throw it away when the primer pockets get too loose or the necks crack.

You don't need to overthink things. The only time the brass will matter is when you start reloading for precision rifle and want to squeeze out that last 1/4 MOA. Then get a good matched set of 200 (new or once fired) brass (same headstamp - LC, Norma, Lapua) neck size/body size and anneal it until you shoot our your barrel then start over.
 
American military Lake City and civilian contract ammunition made for the military is made of harder brass.

I would assume the Canadian military uses the same standards.

Making the cases harder was part of the 1968 Congressional hearings on the M16 jamming problem.

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The .223 and military M193 5.56 ammo has the same max chamber pressure of 55,000 psi, the military M885 5.56 ammo is rated at 58,700 psi.

As long as you keep you chamber pressure within normal .223 limits the only difference you will see between case brands is primer pocket life.

Below Federal cases are noted for having a thinner flash hole web and Lake City has a thicker flash hole web. The flash hole web adds strength to the base of the case and its primer pocket. And loose primer pockets can cause gas leakage and a scored bolt face.

Bottom line, do not use cases with loose primer pockets.

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I have Lake City around in the shop. IMHO if you are just doing cqb then mixed brass or any brass that passes inspection is good to go. If you are doing longer range, stuff then uniformity assists with accuracy.

I have people ask me about brass life for x,y and z brands. You can get longer life out of a softer case in a properly tuned rifle with reasonable loads, then out of NATO spec brass that is loaded to 5.56mm max pressure out of an overgassed gun.

Whenever I load for .223 I usually use Federal, as I have a ton of it and it still outperforms, me and my rifle
 
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