Hi gang;
I've recently encountered a small mountain of newer Armscor .223 brass, (A USA) headstamp. It's way more than I'll ever use, so I've tried selling some if it, but not gaining much interest. With that, I've started a 'torture test', to try to find out what the story is with this stuff. If no one else wants it, maybe I do?? That's the thought process, for what it's worth!
So far, I've made it through five loadings (10 case sample), after sizing and trimming to 1.750. My test load is 26.2gr of Varget over hornady 55g FMJBT at 2.240. Not super hot, but a decent load.
Here's what I've learned (after 5 loadings):
The greatest stretch I've seen yet is around .006 after 5 firings. Most are less than .003, but one did measure .006.
Primer pockets are very tight, and have stayed that way. I've loaded CCI, Win and Rem primers, all still tight. (For the sake of full disclosure, CCI primers seem to seat a bit high, but not the Win or Rem)
No split necks, no indications of impending case head separation, all still gauge through a Wilson case gauge after resizing.
I plan to work the brass to failure...this weekends project. It got dark, so I only made 5 so far. I'll report back once I shoot it to death.
Question: Any one else loading/working with this brass? If so...any insight??
Thanks! Trails4u.