What is your favorite brass, and why?

[Kracken McGraw]

Look down inside the bottom of the case with a borescope. It will tell you who the winner is between Lapua and Peterson.

 

[SSL]

My choices are pretty mundane by the standards of many, since I don't compete except against myself:

.17 Remington - Remington nickel plated (lasts forever) in one and Nosler in the other
.223 Remington - LC '89 (have a small truckload of it), Starline unplated and Remington nickel plated
.22/250 Remington - Remington
.243 Winchester - Nosler and Remington
7mm BR - Remington
.280 Remington - Remington
.30-06 Springfield - IMI (again...lasts forever) and Remington
.38 Special (my wife's) Remington and Federal
.44. Remington Magnum - IMI and Starline
.45 Colt - Starline unplated and Remington nickel plated
.45 ACP - IMI, Remington nickel plated and Federal

 

[6.5 forever]

Lapua. Consistency and longevity.

 

[markm87]

No matter how you pronounce it or spell it the hands-down winner is…. La-poo-ah

"La Poochie" is how we call it!!

 

[Savagenut71]

Peterson first. Lapua for what Peterson doesn't make.

 

[Clancy]

Lapua followed by Peterson. I’ve used a few hundred Alpha and don’t intend to use it again.

 

[6MMsteve]

Laputy & Peckerson,.... Alpha I never have used yet but I don't shoot enough really

 

[Ranger188]

Lapua doesn't make brass for every caliber, neither does Peterson.
But based on how it handles reloads and shoots,
1. Lapua
2. Peterson
3. ADG

 

[SKWERLZ]

Lapua
ADG
Peterson

 

[SeabeeKen]

I prefer Norma. Availability is often better than Lapua. Norma has told me that they make SOME brass for Lapua. For calibers not made by Norma I go to Starline or Peterson Never any issues

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

No competition centerfire for me, but I like accurate hunting rifles. I used Sig brass for my Lilja barreled 22-250. Very nice brass.

 

[lightman]

My choices are:
Lapua
Norma
Starline
In the past I was pretty happy with Winchester. Not anymore!

 

[nakneker]

First brand of brass I look for is always Lapua. If they don’t make the cartridge or I can’t find in stock then I look for others. ADG is another company I have a lot of, mostly because they make Saum brass, Alpha for my 22 GT. I use a lot of Starline in my pistols, I still have a lot of older Norma brass. In vintage cartridges I take what I can get, just loaded a 100 25-20 with old Winchester brass. But the answer to your question is Lapua.

 

[msalm]

My first choice is AVAILABLE….after that I lean towards Lapua

 

[tydaws]

Lapua is the standard. However, I have had good luck with Alpha.

 

[JLT]

6 Dasher - Fire formed Lapua 6 BR brass has been incredible. It refuses to wear out. I also use Alpha 6 Dasher brass, but it will be some time before I can assess its durability compared to Lapua.

7-6.5 PRC - Lapua and ADG. Interestingly, my lots have almost identical case capacities between them.

6XC - Peterson

6.5x47 Lapua - Lapua

.260 AI, .22-.250 AI & .243 AI- Lapua

.223 - Norma for more serious work, Lake City for everything else.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Lapua for me. I have 2, 6 Dashers,1, 6.5X47, 1, 7MM-08, 1, .243AI. Do you see the pattern here, the only rifle that I own that doesn't use Lapua Brass is my .300 RSAUM, that gets Norma Brass because Lapua doesn't make brass for the SAUM. ......... Lapua consistent, uniform, and durable!

 

[Lee Whitsel]

I am only loading for varmint grade accuracy, not competition. I only use virgin case and dedicate them to a specific rifle.

If you can tolerate the sometimes 5% manufacturing defects which render those cases unloadable, Winchester, has been the most consistent for me. Hornady and Federal also has been adequate with zero manufacturing defects.

The most inconsistent has been Remington and I cannot tell you why. But it often takes several firings and sizing to establish any consistent case head space. On one lot, the end of the necks at the opening were not flat. No big deal since I trimmed them but weird to say the least.

I have some Starline rifle cases but have yet to load them. If they are as good as its pistol cases, it should be a winner.

????? For critter shooting how close should you keep your brass weights to get good accurate loads. Grouping brass bags of 100 into weight groups????? What should be my goal??

 

[Big Mc]

I suppose this is something of a poll. I've been reading a bit while the weather is bad and it's brought up a few questions. Brass cases, for one.

Just curious how some of you choose what you do and why.

Thanks for looking.

At this time. what i can find. Tommy Mc

 

[K22]

????? For critter shooting how close should you keep your brass weights to get good accurate loads. Grouping brass bags of 100 into weight groups????? What should be my goal??

I have never weighed cases or bullets. The 2, 014 groundhogs and over 100 predators I've taken never seem to mind.

I always start with virgin cases of the same brand and lot and dedicate them to a specific rifle, typically 100 cases. Aside from normal case prep, I do nothing extraordinary.

If you are a varmint and predator hunter there are two things that I suggest that you consider for enhancing your success and they do not include weighing cases:

1. Find a varmint bullet that shoots really well out of your rifle. For varmint hunting, a 1/2 to 5/8 moa is my goal, but I can live with 3/4" since almost all my shot opportunities are under 300 yards. I use Nosler 50 and 55 BTs in my 12" twist 223's and 60Vmax in my 8" twists 223's.

2. Select a field shooting aid that you like such as a tripod, bipod, sticks, etc. and practice a lot using the aid. I use homemade cross sticks which work best for me due to my style of hunting and the rolling terrain where I hunt.

All of this of course assumes you have a mechanically quality rifle and scope.