Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

[SIG700]

After a quick wash after sizing, I noticed something I've never noticed before. Notice every other casing has a tarnish to the brass.

Looking at the bottom, they are all Lake City 2011 manufacture, however the shiny casings have circular depressions between LC, 11, and the Nato symbol.

(Yes, I know the primer pockets are dirty still, and the picture is small, I don't know how to enlarge the picture)

These depressions do not appear on the tarnished casings. These were a sample I pulled out of the 300+ casings I'm prepping, and every single casing I checked was consistent with these 6

Does anyone know why there is a difference between the two types of casings, that have the same (except depressions) head stamps. I'm assuming those circular depressions have meaning, however I don't know what. Maybe one of you guys know.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

If there is no circular NATO stamp on the LC 11 without the dimples, they are ammo loaded by Federal for law enforcement ammo using LC overrun cases. I have some of those.

Regardless, I don't think you're going to find any structural difference in the cases. You can weigh them, but they should be the same.

 

[SIG700]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

There are Nato Stamps on both casings. I'll try to get a better/bigger picture of head stamps.

 

[SIG700]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

Casing on left is "shiny" casing on right is "tarnished"
The circular depressions I was referring to appear on the left casing, a good example is directly to the left of the Nato symbol.

And again, I know my primer pockets are still REALLY dirty

They both weigh the same (ballpark), and I'm not really concerned about structural integrity, just more of a curiosity inquiry.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

I've noticed the dimpled brass also. The brass came from two different machines. The "ones" in the "elevens" are different, stamp depth is different.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

Also seems that there are three dimples in the cases on the left. Circular dimples would orient at about 12,4,8 o'clock if you put the most prominent dimple up at 12 o'clock.

If it was me, I would figure they were simply from different lots, but if the brass weighs the same, load it up, and don't worry about it.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Same Headstamp... Different Brass?

Yeah, agree. A head stamp is no guarantee that the cases were made at the same time or have the same specs. (at least that's my understanding?) Nor, do I think that the same manufacturer necessarily means they are the same capacity. They <span style="text-decoration: underline">could be</span> but I would segregate them into different lots as if they were from different sources. The only way to be confident is if they are in a carton with a lot number, after that you don't really know what you have...insofar as nominally identical cases. Opinion. BB