When I go to the shooting range, I collect shells that I either don't have or have not seen before. I was just looking through them, and found one that I have no clue what it is. I will describe it and see if anyone could possibly figure out what it is.

The case is just slightly less in diameter than the .223 Remington, is .22 cal. and appears to be military. The letters and number on the head stamp are L C 53. The length is approx. 1 9/16". The neck is slightly longer than the .223's and the shoulder is not quite as steep.

Has anybody seen this cartridge before? I sure haven't, but would like to find out what it is just to fill my curiosity. Any help would be great, Thank you!

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The LC is where it was made and the 53 is year it was made .It sounds like a 223case but it could be converted to a wildcat .definitly military designation .

I do the same thing...i found one that says: 5.56x45 any idea what it is?

I know the Soviets had their own .223 equivalent, but I thought that was a 5.45 mm.

The L C might be for Lake City .

A L F, I am familiar with all but the .218 and .219. I know that it's none of the other 3 because it is way shorter than the .223. Also, the case is smaller in diameter than the .223.

I'm thinking .218 or maybe hornet. I believe that the .223 is 5.56, so 5.56x45 would be .223 I believe.

Nope, its not the hornet either. It is similar in case design to the .223 and .30-06, just smaller.

Chuck Brown
Can you take some exact measurments of the case and post them here or compare them to the specs. in a good loading manual? That may be the best way to identify it. Otherwise you will just continue to get "educated guesses".