243 Brass Options

[geneinnc]

I'm tweaking a NIB Remington VLS 243 winchester, 26" barrel, 1 in 9 1/8" twist.

I have used nothing but Federal Premium Brass in my reloads, but I don't think they sell it now. Back when ammo was reasonable, I would buy the cheapest Federal Premium Ammo I could find. I used it to break in the barrel, and ended up with once fired, fire formed brass. I'm finally culling that brass after 12 years of loading, so you can see why I like it so well.
I'm going to do some checking, but going that route again is just too expensive unless I'm totally wrong.

OK, here's where I need help. I don't like Remington, WW is better, along with Hornady.

From what I have been told at the various ranges, these are the best on the market.

Norma

Nosler

Lapua

Could I have some first hand input? The only thing I don't care for is the look of the Lapua. but I assume that's from the anulling process? If so, it will never come out of the tumbler any brighter?

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks

Gene

 

[Cheechako]

IMHO, those anneal colors on Lapua brass gives them a snazzy, custom look. I like it. The only problem is that it wears off after a firing and cleaning or two and then they look like Remchester.

Ray

 

[Forum Boss]

Lapua for match calibers.

If it's not made in the caliber you need, then Norma,e.g. 7 WSM, 6XC)

If you need something for big boomers that Lapua and Norma don't make, look for RWS--but it is very pricey.

After those choices, usually, but not always, Winchester is recommended. I'm told the Remington .221 and 17 Fireball brass is pretty decent.

- - -

Lapua is the only brass I've seen that is good enough to shoot sub .2-MOA groups, unturned, with nothing but neck-chamfering.,of course this requires superior bullets, BR action, quality barrel etc., and an accurate chambering such at the 6BR.)

Personally, I won't own a target-shooting rifle if Lapua doesn't make brass for it,either originally or via necking up/down).

- - -

Federal Premium brass may give you 3-4 reloads. Lapua brass, annealed every 7+ reloads, may give you 30 or 40 reloads. You do the math.

 

[Preacher]

The colors go away as soon as they come out of the Citranox solution in the Ultra Sonic.
I wish they would just stay that color, as I like em that way......

 

[CPorter]

I have a little of each manufacturer. Lapua and Norma may get you smaller groups with less prep. It is a bit more consistent as far as weight but the 100 cases of Norma and Lapua I bought haven't produced any smaller groups than my Remington and Federal brass. The Lapua had small rings I associate from using a dull drill bit around the flash hole. The Norma primer pockets were very shallow and the uniformer that didn't touch the bottoms of the Lapua pockets took out large amounts on the Norma. The necks were more uniform on both the Norma and Lapua and I only did a light clean up cut to check them all.

I anneal my brass about every 5 loads and I have Remington brass from '79 and Federal brass from the early 90's that has been loaded more than 30 times. I don't shoot hot loads very often so I don't get case web failures. I have had every brand split necks, even the Lapua had a few split on the first firing.

All that said I DON'T have a custom action BR gun. Mine is a tuned Remington.