I have a bunch of '08 and '09 LC once fired brass that I am planning on using. I will have to swedge the primer pockets as part of the process. I have a recipe to replicate the M118LR ammo (43.1 gr. of RE15, using 175 gk, etc.). My question: I read that actual M118 primers are not crimped, is this true? I was told that the brass that I have came from this ammo. Maybe it was M118 special ball. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.
- Thread starter Shakeber
- Start date
Re: M118LR ammo question
The brass is most likely just M80 ball brass. If I'm not mistaken Lake City stopped making M118 Special Ball in the early 90's. This brass was a standard LC crimped 7.62 case loaded with a 173 gr FMJ "Match" bullet.
I would be careful about the brass as if it's M80 ball it most likely was fired out of a M240 MG and could have a stretched and have internal flaws resulting in early case failure.
The brass is most likely just M80 ball brass. If I'm not mistaken Lake City stopped making M118 Special Ball in the early 90's. This brass was a standard LC crimped 7.62 case loaded with a 173 gr FMJ "Match" bullet.
I would be careful about the brass as if it's M80 ball it most likely was fired out of a M240 MG and could have a stretched and have internal flaws resulting in early case failure.
Re: M118LR ammo question
There are a lot better options out there than LC brass. Pretty much anything (Rem, Win, Fed etc.) Probably safer as well, especially if it's once fired brass you're playing with.
-SBS
There are a lot better options out there than LC brass. Pretty much anything (Rem, Win, Fed etc.) Probably safer as well, especially if it's once fired brass you're playing with.
-SBS
Re: M118LR ammo question
I'm not familiar with M118LR but, I'm very familiar with M118 match.
The LC match brass and normal LC brass are the exact same dimensions. The match brass does not have a crimp and, it is annealed at LC.... the other LC is not annealed and is crimped. I don't know about LR.
I'm not familiar with M118LR but, I'm very familiar with M118 match.
The LC match brass and normal LC brass are the exact same dimensions. The match brass does not have a crimp and, it is annealed at LC.... the other LC is not annealed and is crimped. I don't know about LR.
Re: M118LR ammo question
I've never seen LR not marked. Since you know it was not machine gun fired it should be ok for your load. The LC brasses, Match, LR and just marked LC are made on the same equipment but marked to be able to tell what they are. Match said Match and had a marked line on the body. LR is 175 SMK and stamped LR.
I think the last batch of "MATCH" headstamp was 1993. After that the "LR" came out with 175's and was used for both. I'm not sure of the first year.
I've never seen LR not marked. Since you know it was not machine gun fired it should be ok for your load. The LC brasses, Match, LR and just marked LC are made on the same equipment but marked to be able to tell what they are. Match said Match and had a marked line on the body. LR is 175 SMK and stamped LR.
I think the last batch of "MATCH" headstamp was 1993. After that the "LR" came out with 175's and was used for both. I'm not sure of the first year.
Re: M118LR ammo question
Here's some pic's of unfired 07 LC LR Ammo, the primers are not crimped but sealed along with the bullet in the case mouth. The sealer for the bullet is dark and sticky if you pull a bullet but pretty much burns off when fired.
Here's some pic's of unfired 07 LC LR Ammo, the primers are not crimped but sealed along with the bullet in the case mouth. The sealer for the bullet is dark and sticky if you pull a bullet but pretty much burns off when fired.
Re: M118LR ammo question
looks like the LR stuff is annealed too so, I'd suspect that the LR brass is identical to the M118 or M852 match brass.
looks like the LR stuff is annealed too so, I'd suspect that the LR brass is identical to the M118 or M852 match brass.
Re: M118LR ammo question
Yep, it's annealed, can't say for sure but I think it's the same as the match brass also. I just weighed a LC LR case mfg. in 04 against a 168 LC Match case mfg. 88 both resized and trimmed. They were within .2 gr. of each other and case powder capacity was within .2 gr also with RL 15 powder. Hope this helps.
Yep, it's annealed, can't say for sure but I think it's the same as the match brass also. I just weighed a LC LR case mfg. in 04 against a 168 LC Match case mfg. 88 both resized and trimmed. They were within .2 gr. of each other and case powder capacity was within .2 gr also with RL 15 powder. Hope this helps.
Re: M118LR ammo question
Terry
Terry
