308 match brass

Dave45-70

I have some 308 match brass from 1984 and there is a knurled ring near the base ,can anybody tell me the reason? Thanks Dave

Hawk Carse

That identifies it as M852 Match, originially loaded with a 168 gr Sierra MatchKing.

bobski

many ideas, but never really defined in stone, but from what i remember from my match days, an old timer from the navy rifle team who just happened to work at nws crane, in., said it was suppose to help keep the case from twisting in battery when the bullet left, to ensure accuracy. again, never saw this in writing. but in theory, i can see it being true.

iwannausername

I read somewhere that it was for easy ID as match for range clean up, just in case, etc.

Hawk Carse

I think it was strictly for identification, largely before the JAG authorized shooting foreigners with it.

bobski

why would they need knurling to i.d it? all you had to do was look at the tip of the bullet and see it was a hollow point. 173 and 147 was ball solid tip.

BHAVIN

Sierra bullets has been around a long time. They have a section in their catalog devoted to reloading for gas operated guns. They state that in .308 The M852 National Match brass was loaded with 168g Sierra MatchKing bullets and was originally intended for Match Use Only. As issued the boxes were clearly labeled "Not for Combat Use." To reinforce this point, the cases bear a rolled-in cannelure around the body ahead of the extractor groove so that there would be no mistakes. The cannelure was dropped on later lots and is absent on M118 and M118LR ammunition. Sierra recommends these later batches WITHOUT the cannelure as being preferable to the cannelured brass. They state they have heard of case head seperation issues with the cannelure although they have not had this issue themselves.

bobski

never had knurled match brass seperate in all my years of competing. and again...its kinda silly to think someone would have to knurl a bullet so theyd know its was a hollow point. it wouldtake just as much effort to see a hollow point as it would the knurling.

Dave45-70

Once again you guys are a wealth of information, I learn something from this forum every day. Thanks again Dave

Irish 8802

In 5.56 a knurled ring indicates a blank case..

bobski

i'll bet the knurl was so the evil enemy could pick it up if found spent on the battlefield and bring em to the UN and show them that we were using inhumane rounds to kill them with. wanna bet?