LC Match 99 headstamp

xfrk · March 07, 2010, 19:10

I've come across some Lake City rounds at a gunshow this weekend that I'd like some other opinions on. They have the 99 at 2 o'clock, LC at 10 o'clock and MATCH across the bottom of the base. These are FMJ, no hollow point. They look good, but standing one up next to a nato LC 7.62 round, I noticed they are a few millimeters taller. They don't say nato or 7.62 anywhere and weren't packed in boxes, just mixed in with a bunch of other LC in a cardboard box. Cases are identical to 7.62 x 51 with no knurling on the case, primer sealant is intact and bullets are seated to the cannelure. It looks like the bullet is just bigger. Are these safe to run through my fal? Sorry, no camera=no pics.

Retired Bum · March 07, 2010, 19:38

With out a photo it is difficult to give you a positive ID, but what you probably have is Lake City 7.62mm M118 Match rounds. The M118 load uses a match grade 173 gr FMJ-BT bullet that was originally developed for the 30/06 M72 Match load produced by Frankford Arsenal and also Lake City.

The M118 was develped for use in the National Match grade M14 rifle. It was considered to be very high quality ammo in its day. During the Vietnam War the M118 load was used by US Army snipers in the M21 sniper rifle which is basically a NM M14 equipped with a telescopic sight. The USMC used this round in their M40 sniper rifle was a militarized Remington M700 BDL Varmit Special equipped with a Redfield 3x9 scope.

I don't know if M118 Match is still being produced these days. Perhaps some others reading this thread might know. I have a few boxes of LC 77 M118 tucked away. I ought to take it to a gunshow and trade it for something I can use as I no longer own a decent .308 caliber rifle. My standard grade SA M1A doesn't count as a decent .308 I'm ashamed to admit. But I like it away....

And so it goes.

The Retired One

Tuscan Raider · March 07, 2010, 22:45

Longer length equals heavier round.
Or is that shoe size?

I confused myself.

March 07, 2010, 19:10	#1
xfrk Registered FALaholic #: 21589 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 48	LC Match 99 headstamp I've come across some Lake City rounds at a gunshow this weekend that I'd like some other opinions on. They have the 99 at 2 o'clock, LC at 10 o'clock and MATCH across the bottom of the base. These are FMJ, no hollow point. They look good, but standing one up next to a nato LC 7.62 round, I noticed they are a few millimeters taller. They don't say nato or 7.62 anywhere and weren't packed in boxes, just mixed in with a bunch of other LC in a cardboard box. Cases are identical to 7.62 x 51 with no knurling on the case, primer sealant is intact and bullets are seated to the cannelure. It looks like the bullet is just bigger. Are these safe to run through my fal? Sorry, no camera=no pics. __________________ rk

March 07, 2010, 22:45	#3
Tuscan Raider Registered FALaholic #: 19668 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,944	Longer length equals heavier round. Or is that shoe size? I confused myself. __________________ "An eye for an eye makes us all blind." Ghandi "We, here in America, hold in our hands the hopes of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust the golden hopes of men." Theodore Roosevelt Address at Carnegie Hall March 30, 1912

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March 07, 2010, 19:38	#2
Retired Bum Registered FALaholic #: 21904 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,188	With out a photo it is difficult to give you a positive ID, but what you probably have is Lake City 7.62mm M118 Match rounds. The M118 load uses a match grade 173 gr FMJ-BT bullet that was originally developed for the 30/06 M72 Match load produced by Frankford Arsenal and also Lake City. The M118 was develped for use in the National Match grade M14 rifle. It was considered to be very high quality ammo in its day. During the Vietnam War the M118 load was used by US Army snipers in the M21 sniper rifle which is basically a NM M14 equipped with a telescopic sight. The USMC used this round in their M40 sniper rifle was a militarized Remington M700 BDL Varmit Special equipped with a Redfield 3x9 scope. I don't know if M118 Match is still being produced these days. Perhaps some others reading this thread might know. I have a few boxes of LC 77 M118 tucked away. I ought to take it to a gunshow and trade it for something I can use as I no longer own a decent .308 caliber rifle. My standard grade SA M1A doesn't count as a decent .308 I'm ashamed to admit. But I like it away.... And so it goes. The Retired One