Once-fired LC brass, often abbreviated as "LC brass," represents a popular and cost-effective choice for reloaders. Understanding its characteristics, sourcing, and processing is crucial for successful reloading. This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about once-fired LC brass, ensuring you get the most out of your reloading efforts.
What is Once-Fired LC Brass?
Once-fired LC brass refers to spent cartridge cases that have been fired only once. The "LC" designation typically indicates that the brass was manufactured by Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, known for producing high-quality military ammunition. This doesn't automatically mean all LC brass is superior, but it often suggests consistent manufacturing standards leading to more uniform brass. This uniformity translates to better reloading consistency and potentially longer case life. However, it's vital to remember that even LC brass can show variations. Environmental factors during firing, the specific firearm used, and even the ammo itself can all influence the brass's condition.
Advantages of Using Once-Fired LC Brass:
- Cost-effectiveness: Compared to new brass, once-fired LC brass offers significant cost savings, making it attractive for high-volume reloaders.
- Consistency (generally): The reputation of Lake City manufacturing often results in more consistent brass dimensions compared to commercial brass from various sources, reducing variability in your reloading process.
- Availability: Once-fired LC brass is readily available from numerous online retailers and gun shows, ensuring easy access for reloaders.
Disadvantages of Using Once-Fired LC Brass:
- Condition variability: Even though it's "once-fired," the condition of the brass can vary widely depending on how it was handled and fired. Some cases might show signs of damage like dents, scratches, or even primer pocket issues.
- Requires processing: Once-fired LC brass needs thorough cleaning, inspection, and potentially sizing before reloading. This adds time and effort to the reloading process.
- Potential for inconsistencies: While often more consistent than commercial brass, variations still exist within a batch of once-fired LC brass. Careful inspection and sorting are critical.
Sourcing Once-Fired LC Brass: Finding Quality Cases
Finding reliable sources of once-fired LC brass is crucial for success. Here are some tips:
- Online Retailers: Many online retailers specialize in selling once-fired brass, often categorized by caliber and condition. Read reviews carefully to assess the seller's reputation.
- Gun Shows: Gun shows provide opportunities to inspect the brass in person, allowing you to assess its condition before purchase. However, be prepared to haggle on price.
- Local Shooting Ranges: Some ranges collect and sell spent brass. This can be a good source, but the quality and condition may be less consistent than other methods.
- Friends and Fellow Reloaders: Building connections with other reloaders can lead to access to good quality brass at favorable prices.
Processing Once-Fired LC Brass: Preparing for Reloading
Before using once-fired LC brass, several steps are necessary to ensure safe and accurate reloading.
1. Inspection and Sorting:
Thoroughly inspect each case for:
- Dents: Significant dents can affect case integrity and should be discarded.
- Cracks: Cracks, especially near the case mouth or base, indicate potential failure and require discarding.
- Primer Pocket Issues: Check for crimped or damaged primer pockets. These can be difficult to repair and often warrant discarding the case.
- Case Mouth Damage: Excessive damage to the case mouth can affect bullet seating and needs appropriate attention.
2. Cleaning:
Once inspected, clean the brass using a tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner to remove residue and debris. This step is critical for optimal performance and case longevity.
3. Sizing:
Sizing returns the brass to its original dimensions, ensuring proper chambering. Full-length sizing is generally recommended for once-fired cases unless they exhibit minimal expansion.
4. Trimming:
Case trimming ensures consistent case length. Cases that are too long can cause issues with headspace.
5. Deburring:
Deburring smooths any rough edges on the case mouth and removes any flash, improving bullet seating and overall case integrity.
Case Studies: Comparing Once-Fired LC Brass to Other Brass Types
While generalized statements can be made, the performance of once-fired LC brass (or any brass type) depends heavily on its condition and the reloading practices employed. Direct comparison requires controlled testing with multiple batches, which is beyond the scope of this article. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that properly processed once-fired LC brass often provides performance comparable to—and sometimes exceeding—new commercial brass, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion: Optimizing Your Reloading with Once-Fired LC Brass
Once-fired LC brass presents a valuable opportunity for reloaders looking to reduce costs while maintaining reloading quality. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses, coupled with diligent processing, is key to maximizing its potential. By following the steps outlined above and prioritizing thorough inspection, you can confidently integrate once-fired LC brass into your reloading routine, ensuring consistent and reliable results. Remember, safety should always be paramount in reloading; inspect each case carefully to avoid potential issues.