Help identifying a headstamp

[mac60]

The brass in question is .38 S&W. The h/s reads; FMI ASSOC - no other markings. The brass also has large primer pockets. Anybody know who made these?

[osteodoc08]

I usually use this website to ID headstamps

http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes

But I did not see yours listed

[mac60]

I appreciate it doc - I've already looked there. The fact that the cases have LP primer pockets - together with the h/s has me curious.

[redneck1]

Cowboy action fast draw competition ammo , uses a large primer and a wax bullet . No powder .

No idea who made it , but I've seen the head stamp on the fast draw ammo before .

[mac60]

Thank you very much redneck1! So - I'm assuming it was never meant to be fired with a conventional bullet. Any comments on whether it would be safe or not to load and fire this brass with a conventional bullet?

[osteodoc08]

Why bother if there is any question? It’s just not worth it.

[mac60]

Doc, I just paid good money for them - had the seller told me exactly what I was buying I'd have looked elsewhere. Anyway, I sectioned a .38 spl. federal h/s case and 1 of the .38 s&w cases in question. The .38 s&w case is thicker in the web area than the .38 spl. case. A #46 (.081") drill bit was a tight slip fit in the flash hole of both cases. Every dimension in a cartridge drawing was a close match for those on a case I measured. I'm not seeing anything here to tell me that it wouldn't be safe to load them.

[redneck1]

You'll have to adjust your loads accordingly for the large primer and what might be a slightly reduced case capacity .

If you have a quantity of them it might just be easier to see if you can find a cowboy action shooter who might want them to load practice ammo .

[MT Gianni]

At one time if you bought 10 K brass you could have it imprinted whatever you wanted.

[osteodoc08]

Understood on the purchase. As with anything, work up your load. Let us know how it all works out.

[turtlezx]

that would be fun thinking about what to stamp them with (mt)

[Brokenbear]

Well this is really out in left field but seems like once upon a time there was such a thing as a very heavy duty munition powered nail/anchor gun but I have no idea caliber or any other info ..just a grey memory ...but it could explain the "industrial" type name on the case head????
Bear