223 or 22-250

For cost effectiveness and ease of reloading nothing beats the 223.  I shoot service rifle competition and go thru about 4000 rounds a year.  You can get brass from River Valley Ordinance Works delivered for &#3669/1000 that is cleaned sized trimmed and reprimed with a Win SR primer.  Drop powder,seat bullet, DONE!  If you are not set up for reloading you could just but buy a lee setup for about &#3660 and your all set.  That brass is Lake City Aresenal and is great stuff, we get 1/2 min accuracy with it at Ranges I won't say,out of good target rifles.   KevinNY

Do you know if there is there any difference between Lake City and Federal brass?

Most highpower shooters avoid Federal 223 brass altogether.  They load the 69gr Gold Medal load HOT, some guys lose primers in tight chambered guns.  The feeling is their brass is soft.  LC brass is tough stuff and A LOT cheaper.    KevinNY

Most highpower shooters avoid Federal 223 brass altogether.  They load the 69gr Gold Medal load HOT, some guys lose primers in tight chambered guns.  The feeling is their brass is soft.  LC brass is tough stuff and A LOT cheaper.    KevinNY

Is Federal just managing/operating the LC arsenal under contract or do they use their own components for current production?

Federal does not run the Lake City Aresenal.  That contract belongs to Alliant Tech Systems,the same co that owns Alliant powder and Thiokol propulsion systems.  They get their brass on contract from Winchester.