Anyone had any problems with Lake City 2011 7.62x51mm NATO brass?
I've found half a dozen or more cases from a recent reloading run displaying cracks or splits across the body of the case, just below the shoulder and/or 3/8” or so above the extractor groove.
These cases were purchased over the internet several months ago, and I'm just getting around to loading them.
I spotted the hairline cracks after full-length sizing the cases on what was to have been my 1st loading of them. Haven't fired any yet, thanks God. And, needless to say, I won't fire any, or load anymore, until I find out what's going on.
Thus far, I've seen the problem only on cases headstamped “LC 11.” The case heads also, obviously, bear the NATO circled-cross.
"LC 10” and “LC 09” NATO-marked cases, purchased from the same source, haven't shown any problems.
Also, a bunch of cases stamped “LC LR 11” show no cracks or other problems. It's my understanding these “LC LR” cases, which, by the way, lack the NATO mark, are the current equivalent of military “match” or sniper ammo. The “LR” in the headstamp may mean “Long Range,” or so I've read.
Anyway, I'd be interested to learn if anyone else has encountered cracks or splits below the shoulder or above the base on “LC 11” NATO-stamped 7.62x51mm brass. If there's a wide-spread problem with that particular brass, the sooner it's identified the safer we'll be.
Lemme know,
-- Cary Gunn --