284 Norma Brass

[Jet]

I've searched the forum and found some info but not enough.

I'm about to start working up a load on a new 284 barrel with Norma brass. 1st time with this cartridge and brass. For those of you that have used the Norma brass, does it behave like the Norma Dasher brass? Meaning, is it soft and needs a few firings on it before you can do any real load development with it?

Shared experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Rich

 

[dskogman]

I use it and don’t think it’s paticularly soft just don’t over pressure it like any 284. I have 12 firings on some practice brass. I wouldn’t shoot it in a match out of the box but I don’t do that with Lapua brass either. You can get close with virgin brass but I’d shoot it at least once before final testing.

 

[Rope2horns]

Regardless if it is Lapua or Norma I always shoot a low node on the first firing...the rebated rim doesn't seem to take pressure very well...no sense in killing it the first time out.

 

[1K6BRA]

I have been using Norma 284 brass for three years. One batch of brass I have 12 firings on and have had no problems. The primer pockets are still tight. Been running at two different nodes with this batch of brass, 54.0 H4831 and the other 55.2 of H4831. The first couple of firings the brass does seem to stretch a bit but after that it seems fine with no abnormal stretching. But I do think I am going to retire this lot of brass. My New Year’s resolution....start out with new brass!

 

[Jet]

Much Thanks. Will fire 100 or so at a low node to get the barrel up to speed then do load development.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[1shot]

I've prepped several lots of 284 Norma brass and they do seem softer that Lapua, but not overly so. A fellow shooter at my club, had very bad luck with the Norma brass. His primer pockets were scrap after 3 reloads pushing a 180 class bullet 2,820 +-.
Good luck with you build,

Lloyd

 

[Gunracer]

I started with Norma brass for my Shehane. After hydro forming and skimming the necks (many hours of work) the primers were falling out after the second firing. 56g H4831sc with a 180 ELDM. I complained but got no satisfactory answers. Used Lapua since then with no premature wear.