A friend gave me some brass and dies for .223 Rem to load for him. The head stamp is "F C .223 REM", is this the heavier, smaller capacity military case? I loaded five with 28 grains of Win 760 and V-Max 55grain flat base before I remembered. The powder filled to the top of the shoulder and the bullets seemed long, so I assume its compressed. Should I pull them or continue? Oh! they're for a semi-auto.

Thanks

FC = Federal Cartridge
Doubt if it is military. Looks like you are at max by SPEER data (no. 12) with 52 grainers + compressed. Other manuals seem to prefer 748.

760, in my opinion, is too slow for the 223. As mentioned 748 is the better powder choice.

One question would be if the primer pockets were crimped. If so, they are probably to mil spec. I have not found much difference, if any, in millitary and not anyway.

MIl ammo is not marked FC.

Nor .223 REM

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
MIl ammo is not marked FC.

Thanks Guys,

I was just using 760 because I wouldn't miss it. Since there seems to be no objection to compressed loads, I'll give them a shot. The compression stalled me.

Actually it was Sierra 1978 for 55 grain semi-point and spritzer. Think the max was 29 grains 760, but after the first 28 was a little high, I drop-tubed them. I don't know how they got 29 grains of 760 in and not mark as a compressed load unless 760 changed that much since 1978.

Thanks again, Minkman

Military 5.56 brass does Not have less case capacity than Civilian 223 brass. In fact most Military brass has More case capacity than 223 brass.