Flag Case Shell Casings

[Ron Dudelston]

Y’all probably know that I’ve built a ton of flag cases over the years but every once in a while I get a special request.  Well, I got one yesterday so I have a question.  I’m going to build a case for a lady in Iowa for her husband’s burial flag. She wants me to incorporate a space in the base to display the 12 casings from the salute.  Here’s the problem.  I really don’t know what size to drill the holes for a decent fit.  She sent a picture of the bottom of the casings and they are LC10 casings which are usually .556 rounds.  They are 2 1/2” long which also bring an interesting dynamic into the mix.  Anyone have any suggestion?

[Cal]

Hope you get some good suggestions Ron.  Looking forward to them.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

You may not like this (I know I don't), but here's what for my F-I-L's case when I built his. The little add on for the cases was done by request. I took the cases (which are military headstamp) and drilled out the primer holes, then threaded them and screwed them to a piece that sits inside the compartment. That way you can see the entire case and they never fall down. I apologize for the dusty shelf, but this is in my (sort of) man cave. BTW, a little story about the brass engraving at the top. The trophy shop that made it charged by the square inch of brass used. It took the woman about 15 minutes to calculate that, being a triangle she was really confused about the exact math.

[HandyDan]

Have her send the shells to you.  One suggestion is drill the front of the box and insert the shells to simulate rivets.  The shells could be cut with her permission if used this way so the holes could be shallow.

[DAB]

LC10 stands for Lake City Arsenal, made in 2010.  those look like .308 rounds, not .223 rounds.  measure the mouth of the case to be sure.

[forty_caliber]

19 minutes ago, DAB said:

LC10 stands for Lake City Arsenal, made in 2010.  those look like .308 rounds, not .223 rounds.  measure the mouth of the case to be sure.

Yep .308

 

 

.40

[DAB]

they might be a little longer than standard ammo, as they use blanks, and when fired, the crimped mouth expands and the empty case is a little longer than what is shown for a live round case.

[Ron Dudelston]

5 hours ago, DAB said:

LC10 stands for Lake City Arsenal, made in 2010.  those look like .308 rounds, not .223 rounds.  measure the mouth of the case to be sure.

I don’t have the cartridges or I would.  I spoke with the VFW that did the honor guard an he said that they use M30s.

[DAB]

not familiar with that designation.

 

the rifle they use doesn't matter, it's what cartridge they used that's the question.  you have 2 of us that think it's a .308 round, blank of course, so the expanded neck/mouth will be longer than a live round.  the drawing above shows the base diameter, looks like .473", or about 31/64 (.484).

 

hot glue?

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Come up with a plan Ron?

[Ron Dudelston]

Well, started building the case today.  This is a dry fit without the cartridges.  Cartridges measure .456 

[HandyDan]

Looks good.  Are you planning to knock out the primers and install short dowel pieces to locate them/

[Ron Dudelston]

3 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Looks good.  Are you planning to knock out the primers and install short dowel pieces to locate them/

Actually, I’m going to drill the primers out and lock them down with a brass screw.

[Ron Dudelston]

Completed. I’m not 100% satisfied with the fit of the lower rear panels though.

[forty_caliber]

That looks great Ron.  I'd be proud to my father's flag in that case. 

 

.40

[Ron Dudelston]

5 minutes ago, forty_caliber said:

That looks great Ron.  I'd be proud to my father's flag in that case. 

 

.40

Thanks. I’m not keen on maple but hey, different strokes for different folks.

[Gunny]

AWESOME!!

[HandyDan]

Love it.  Very nice.

[Gene Howe]

Beeeyootiful, Ron. Personally, I really like it in maple. 

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I think that is really on of the better flag cases I've seen, nicely done. To me, the maple looks like it was an excellent choice as well.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Fred W. Hargis Jr