So I finally got a chance to take a look at the .223 i ordered from FM and notice that there's a slightly bulged lip where the case ends on the bullet end.  I haven't opened up all of the boxes but it looks like at least 200 rounds are like this. I'm wondering if this is safe to shoot or if this is normal?

 

I put some of the reman rounds next to some LC 5.56 I have and the LC rounds are rounded out where the casing meets the bullet (feels stream-lined to the touch), which is exactly the opposite of what the reman stuff looks like...  The lip protrudes enough that if I run my finger nail down toward the bullet, it catches, which makes me wonder if this is even safe to chamber in my AR.

 

Can anyone chime in?  I don't want to call up the company if this isn't something to worry about.

 

Sorry I don't have any pictures at the moment... my cell camera sucks up close.

 

 

 

 

I just took delivery of some of their .223 remans and didn't see anything like that when I looked them over. A pic may be the only way to determine if it's something to worry about.

Pics, but my advice is don't shoot it. It could effectively act as a wedge to the bullet and spike pressure from your description.

Hard to say without pics. But I think that some of my 55gr reloads were like that a bit, depending on if i crimped or something. It really depends on how much though.

The round on the left is from FM (reman 55gr) and the right is from Lake City 5.56 (they aren't sitting on a level surface):

 

Notice the lip on the FM round?  I've never seen this before... I almost got the impression that the case was being resized?  I have no clue.

 

I left my digital calipers at work so I don't have any measurements

Looks like the brass may not have been chamfered during the remanufacturing process.

 

Another reason to DIY (and not skip steps along the way)

The body parts you save (esp those that don't grow back) may be your own.

lol.  point taken, but the price with free shipping was too good for me to pass up, and with their reputation I just went ahead with it.

That looks like their trimmer was dull as a brick and it just sort of burnished the neck to the right length. IMO that will grab the neck with extra force which could spike pressure. It could also be yanked off by the cannelure when fired and get jammed in the throat. Do that a few times and it could be bad juju.

 

I'm seeing increasing incidents of stuff that isn't right from them.

Thanks for the input guys - very much appreciated. 

I'd shoot them!

I'm going to check mine, see if anything's up and post pics shortly. I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys, but that doesn't look bad to me. BUT, as I said, I'm not knowledgeable  should I be worried if I see anything like that? Should I contact freedom munitions?

I wouldn't shoot them, please send them to me and I will dispose of them correctly :-)

 

Just kidding. Shoot them and don't worry.

I'd shoot them!

Even though there have been multiple reports of over press sure loads from them lately that pop primers and flatten head stamps?

Even though there have been multiple reports of over press sure loads from them lately that pop primers and flatten head stamps?

 

I don't know about the internet buzz! But if the case length is good and they chamber OK, a little burr around the case mouth won't hurt.

I'd give him $.10 a round and shoot them if they are factory remanufactured.

case lengths are all different from what i can see too. 

case lengths are all different from what i can see too. 

 

BS !   Measure!!!

Actually i measured them and they seemed good, but if youre worried about it, ill buy them lol

Actually i measured them and they seemed good, but if youre worried about it, ill buy them lol

 

If this company is having QC problems and their loadings may be bad, that's one thing, but if the cases are dimensionally correct and you're not afraid of their loadings...hell I'd shoot them and if I saw problems I'd stop and trash or return them.

im guessing they're fine.  i was more concerned because the rounds would be going thru a brand new upper.  i've gone thru many different brands of .223 and never saw this kind of lip before so it got me a bit worried.

 

once I get my calipers back tomorrow, i can make sure the case lengths are within spec between 1.74-1.76

I shot about 200 rounds through my m&p 15 with no prop lens at all. I will shoot the other 300 rounds I have and not worry.

 

hmm I guess more than one batch of the reman .223 has this lip on it.  thanks for replying to the thread. 

I think mine have a cleaner edge. .not sure though.

Got around to measuring case length and they're all mostly around 1.762-1.765" which is a little longer than the LC 5.56 measuring around 1.752".

 

Good to go I guess

I think mine have a cleaner edge. .not sure though.

Yea yours look more cleaned up around the edge than mine. I have to say... FM reman brass is CLEAN