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thirdman
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| Joined: | 21 July 2008 |
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| Posts: | 10 |
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Posted: 23 July 2008 05:34 PM |
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Hi, I am trying to decipher the head stamp on some pistol brass. Is there some reference you can recommend to this new reloader that might give me at least the more common headstamp info?
Thanks
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Thirdman
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Oddbod
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| Joined: | 20 January 2008 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 50 |
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Posted: 23 July 2008 07:02 PM |
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This should get you started: http://cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes.htm
Post what's on the head & I'm sure someone will know the details.
Last edited on 23 July 2008 07:02 PM by Oddbod
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thirdman
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Posted: 23 July 2008 08:22 PM |
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| What a great reference...thanks Oddbod (especially given your local time).
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Thirdman
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thirdman
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Posted: 23 July 2008 11:54 PM |
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Well, here is a test for you pros...even after getting this great reference, I have a question: the head stamp on this brass reads as follows: W C C 6 6.
Thanks to the excellent reference provided by OddBod, I assume the stamp indicates Western Cartridge Corp. But I am puzzeled by the 6 6. Of course, I amreally trying to determine the caliber but still have no clue. (Yes, I am indeed a novice.)
Can anyone solve this riddle?
Thanks
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Thirdman
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Slingshot
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 19 May 2008 |
| Location: | Elgin, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
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Posted: 24 July 2008 12:35 AM |
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The 66 Refers to the year it was made. And yes WCC is Western Cartridge Company (Winchester) . It is made for NATO. Now around the late 70's early 80's the WCC cases had a + sign with a circle put on it.
You may run into FC ## RA ## LC ## those are Federal Cartridge , Remington Arms, and Lake City Arsenal.
Caliber wise you may have to take a micrometer to it and a referrence guide to figure it out or post a pic here and one of us can figure it out.
Slingshot
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thirdman
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Posted: 24 July 2008 02:49 PM |
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Thanks slingshot for a most informative reply .
I have never measured a case before. Can you advise a reference which would allow for conversion of case dimensions into a case caliber?
(I have only reloaded .38 caliber rounds for target shooting to date so very limited experience overall and no experience in converting case size into cartridge caliber.)
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Thirdman
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Slingshot
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 19 May 2008 |
| Location: | Elgin, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
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Posted: 25 July 2008 12:23 AM |
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Well, If you have any reloading manuals there should be a diagram of a case (depending on caliber) with some numbers on it. Examples below are a case length gauge, Dial Micrometer and a diagram of a case.
If you measure with a micrometer the length of the shell case from top of mouth to bottom that will give you the OAL (over all length) The rest is measured pretty much the same, meaning that you "Mic" or use micrometer to measure the shoulder, the circumfrence of the case, neck etc.
If you dont have a loading data manual I would pick one up. Lyman's Reloading manual is good and tells you the basics of reloading, Hornady's is good also. Or you can check out Youtube to find a learn reloading video. Just be careful of what you get out of it, most of the people are pretty knowledgeable but the best way to learn advanced reloading is from a living, breathing, human being 
  
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thirdman
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Posted: 25 July 2008 02:49 AM |
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Thanks Slingshot for taking the time to help this newbie learn the arcane art of reloading. I will indeed heed your advice and get a manual...tomorrow.
Thirdman
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Thirdman
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Slingshot
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 19 May 2008 |
| Location: | Elgin, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
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Posted: 25 July 2008 11:11 AM |
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Hey no problem at all, I enjoy passing on knowledge of this hobby that was taught to me by my dad. I will send you a bill later  heh J/K
Slingshot
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thirdman
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Posted: 25 July 2008 02:15 PM |
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Unfortunately, I would not be able to adequately compensate you for the time you have already spent on responding to various questions I have about this fascinating hobby. However, I hope that does not prevent you from assisting this neophyte again in the future. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me and the readers of this post & board.
Thirdman
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Thirdman
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Poacher
Administrator
| Joined: | 14 August 2005 |
| Location: | Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 805 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 27 July 2008 05:30 AM |
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Thirdman,
Just post a pic here. More than likely someone will be able to ID it in no time and probably give you some info on it and where to get more.
Take care Be safe Poacher.
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I carry my gun because that's the safest place for it.
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thirdman
HB Full Member
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Posted: 27 July 2008 08:40 PM |
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Poacher:
Thanks for posting and the advice. However, I admit I am rather embarassed about the whole matter but I think in the end, your suggestion is the most logical approach if I fail to identify the case by "checking reference sourses".
Oh yes, speaking of embarassment, it reminds me that I am so new to this site I do not know how to post photos.  Is there some section of the board that one can go to with "administration" questions such as that? (I ran a site search on photos and got no help.) Also, for example, is there a section that explains abbreviations I might see in posts that I do not recoginze?
I through these stupid questions to you knowing that with 800 posts you are likely to know a general answer to this general question.
Thanks in advance,
Thirdman
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Thirdman
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Poacher
Administrator
| Joined: | 14 August 2005 |
| Location: | Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 805 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 28 July 2008 04:37 AM |
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Thirdman,
Searching for info on a piece of brass is how most of us get further addicted to handloading and shooting. We find a piece, we start searching then find an article in the loading manual that intrigues us and then we have to find a rifle/pistol that chambers that round. I encourage you to look thru manuals but if it still fails to ID that mystery cartridge post a pic and we'll take a look at it.
As for posting Pics if you do a search in the "New members registration, activation area there are a fair number of questions that are answered there. Also doing a search for photobucket will help. I don't post pics so I don't have a ready answer to your question, however, I will find out and get back with you. (See that 800 post thing is overrated)
Lastly if you see an abbreviation that you don't know just shoot me a Pm (Private Msg) and I'll take a look at it and get back with you.
Take care Be safe Poacher.
____________________
I carry my gun because that's the safest place for it.
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Poacher
Administrator
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Posted: 28 July 2008 05:00 AM |
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Thirdman, I found the following post that will help you if you have a photobucket acct.
go to http://www.photobucket.com and set you up an account,it takes just a few minutes.Then you upload your pics there.It`ll give you a set of tags under your pic
right click on the tag that looks like this
[img]wwwphotobucket.comblahblahblah[/img*]
clICk COPY...
Then come here,when you are writing your post and want to put the pic in,
right click ,then click PASTE.
It will insert the link to your photobucket pic.
Make your post and the picture will show up here on the page,,
Hope this helps some for ya.
Take care Be safe Poacher.
Last edited on 28 July 2008 05:01 AM by Poacher
____________________
I carry my gun because that's the safest place for it.
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thirdman
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 21 July 2008 |
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Posted: 28 July 2008 01:07 PM |
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Wow, Poacher, thanks a million for a great photo insertion summary. You are so kind to share your knowledge and experience with this non-Geek! Of course I will try the approach you shared. If over the next few days you note a photo in a post of mine you will know your thoughful assistance was successful. Of course if you do not see a photo, it only means that I failed...not you.
Regards,
Thirdman
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Thirdman
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