New Brass Hornady 243

[CJ6]

On a whim I picked up 2 bags of 243 Win. Hornady brass a few months back. I started going through them today and I was surprised the amount of work I need to do to them. Unsized lengths are between 2.034 and 2.049, 67 had oblong necks, There's a ridge around the outside of the rim raised between .0015-.0042 (looks like the cartridge headstamp die hit too deep leaving the raised ring ). I haven't checked headspace yet. Kinda disappointed at a $1.00 a piece $49.99 per 50 a bag. I haven't purchased anything but Lapua for years, I don't think I'll buy anything BUT Lapua in the future either.

 

[ebb]

Now you know why we pick up brass at the range! if you know you are going to get junk, you might as well get it for free, then the work don't seem as bad.

 

[bozo699]

Now you know why we pick up brass at the range! if you know you are going to get junk, you might as well get it for free, then the work don't seem as bad.

I just buy Lapua so I don’t have to worry about it.
Wayne

 

[243winxb]

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...rence-of-head-stamp-on-factory-brass.4039617/
I have seen same on 6.5 Creedmoor by Hornady. Photos at link. My brass necks failed after 4 loadings, using bushing die.

 

[K22]

Discouraging to hear of the poor quality. I have experienced poor quality also in both Remington and especially Winchester where 5 or more cases per 100 were defective to the point they were unusable. In one lot of Remington, the ends of the neck were not parallel to the body of the case! Trimming fixed that but it just demonstrates how you have to check everything these days.

I had previously on different occasions purchased a few bags of Hornaday 223 Rem brass, different lot numbers. Two of the bags were of good quality meaning no visual defects. Loaded fine and performed fine, got 15 - 18 reloads without annealing before necks began to split.

One bag the cases were oversized meaning they would not fit a standard SAMMI case gauge. I had to F/L size them with shoulder bump (can't remember the amount) to get them to SAMMI specs. After that they sized and performed well. Again, show to the extent you have to check everything. Never had to bump virgin case before in 50+ years of reloading. Brave new world!

I probably have enough 223-virgin brass to last me the rest of my life, but I certainly would seriously consider buying Lapua if I needed any more. In fact, I just may buy a box just to see if they improve the performance of a couple of my best precision rifles.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I tried some .243 Honrady brass a few years ago....never again.

 

[Savagenut71]

Use the Peterson and don't look back. Won't have those issues.

 

[CJ6]

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...rence-of-head-stamp-on-factory-brass.4039617/
I have seen same on 6.5 Creedmoor by Hornady. Photos at link. My brass necks failed after 4 loadings, using bushing die.

View attachment 1529751

That is exactly what they look like.

 

[CJ6]

I just buy Lapua so I don’t have to worry about it.
Wayne

At the time Lapua wasn't available otherwise I would have.
BTW....Anyone want to trade 243 Lapua for 6.5 Lapua Creedmoor SRP (sealed box)? I'll put a trade in the classifieds.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Scheel’s did have some 243 Peterson a few weeks ago online.

 

[243winxb]

The necks were the worst part. Different thickness, with the case mouth being the thinnest.
After sizing with the bushing, the mouth looked like an M die was used to open it. The lower part of the neck, closer to the neck/shoulder junction held the bullets.
Had to use a smaller bushing.

The weird sizing marks are from different thickness in the neck.

Contacted Hornady about the problem brass that came as loaded ammo. Hornady would NOT replace the bad brass.

CRACKED NECKS-

 

[boltfluter]

Hornady makes some very good bullets, brass not so much. More Lapua please.
Paul

 

[Hudge76]

I quit buying Hornady brass a little over a year ago. The cheapest brass I buy now is Starline or Sig. I’ve been really impressed with Sig brass for the price, but finding it is the issue. Yes Lapua and ADG are great brass I shoot them as well, but I ain’t spending big bucks on brass for semi-autos. My bolt guns, different story.

 

[MrK.]

I weighed some Hornady 6.5 Grendel brass the other day. They varied from 119.4gn to 110.2gn for 30 cases. Seems like a huge variation for such a small case.

 

[J_idaho]

Back when you couldn’t find a single component I found some hornady brass on the shelf it was so over priced I did a Quick google search and found many posts just like this one. Hard to believe there using same brass in there own ammo.

 

[Pheasanthunter]

The necks were the worst part. Different thickness, with the case mouth being the thinnest.
After sizing with the bushing, the mouth looked like an M die was used to open it. The lower part of the neck, closer to the neck/shoulder junction held the bullets.
Had to use a smaller bushing.

The weird sizing marks are from different thickness in the neck.

Contacted Hornady about the problem brass that came as loaded ammo. Hornady would NOT replace the bad brass.

CRACKED NECKS-View attachment 1529913

I’ve used and still use a lot of Hornady brass never seen anything like that but always a first I guess. Looks like maybe something else is going on possibly

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The last Hornady brass I purchased was pre Wuhan flu, 204R and 22-250. No issues at all, mandrel the necks and load, which is what I would do for any new brass.