I just picked up about 50 or so Federal factory loaded once fired empty cases shot out of an AR. I watched the guy shoot them.
Every case has a ring(indention) circling the primer pocket. I bought 300 once fired Winchester and some of them have the same circular rings but most of them looked OK.

This ring looks like the side of the primer is stuck in the primer pocket after I have removed the primer. Is it some kind of pressure sign? I have never seen it in another caliber.

I'm new to the .223. If I had a camera I would send a picture. Thanks for any information. Merg

It is a crimped primer pocket. Very common on 223 ammo, both surplus and regular commercial. To reload it deprime and then remove the crimp by either swaging (RCBS makes a tool for this) or you can use a deburing tool and cut it out with that.

Sounds like military ammo with crimped primers. The ring will have to compromised (reamed or swaged) before re-priming if these cases are crimped.

Thanks guys. Now I am not totally ignorant and know how to make use of these, altho it sounds like a bit of work. Merg

If these cases seam to be too much trouble to reload, there are several on this board who will pay a fair price for military surplus once fired cases.
Move on to the classified section and offer them for sale. Use the money to buy some commercial cases.

muck

Federal brass is normally good, but is known to be crap to reload in a .223.

Muck, check your PMs.