Missing Headstamp?

[Deltaten]

I recently received a bucketful of what appears to be range pick-up brass. Lots of .22-250, .243, and .38 spec.

Some of this is .308, but the headstamp is turned/machined off! From all appearances, this is a professional milling job, not some home basement dremel work. The machining is quite clean and precise.

This source used to shoot at a government range, (perhaps) Quantico or Langley, as he was an instructor "of sorts" at one time.

This may or may not have anything to do with the missing headstamp, but made me a bit curious. Just wondered if any of our "special" shooters used sanitized brass. Or am I reading something into this that doesn't exist?

I've heard that some reloaders would remove headstamp of re-calibered brass. This does not appear to have been re-sized, or even fired more than once. Rather a subjective opinion, but I do have some 20 odd years experience with metallic cartridge reloding, so I'm not some neophyte .

Curiously,
Paul

------------------
They call us the"Right", don't they?

[Aifwikir]

If it isn't reloaded brass, why would anyone change the headspace of their brass and risk possible failure? Just thought I'd get nit-picky! http://www.fnfal.com/forums/biggrin.gif I have NEVER seen anyone use 7.62X51/308 brass that didn't have somekind of headstamp.

Take care
Aif

------------------
I don't SUFFER from insanity,,,,
I ENJOY IT!!

[Deltaten]

Aif:

This wasn't done by removing the entire surface of the case head. This was accomplished by using a small cut-off tool and only turning a slight, square bottomed groove where the stamping used to be. It wouldn't effect headspace, although it may after repeated loading/firing sequences, due to only having 1/2 to 2/3 of the case head left at full thickness. This is why I don't believe it to be a reloader that has done this. Also same reason for one time use speculation.

I would imagine that our illustrious FBI/BATF labs could I.D. the brass thru metalurgical means, mass spectrograph, etc. If it's been reloaded once, characteristics found on factory formed brass would not be evident; size, tolerances, angles, etc. having been lost to the sizing die!

It evidently was fired in a bolt action rifle. No visible mag scrapes, extractor/ ejector marks, nor other "dings associated w/ semi/full auto rifles.

I'm gonna run some thru the vibe cleaner to see if I can see any smaller marks not clear thru the "ageing" currently on it.

Best,
Paul

------------------
They call us the"Right", don't they?