Alpha Munitions brass | First Impressions

[spclark]

I've been using Lapua's Palma brass since the year it appeared, both in its original configuration for Palma competitions as well as for forming 6XC and a wildcat 7mm called 284INCH. Excellent results in all three.

Another forum member posted about an issue he had with small-primered 308WIN brass from Peterson Cartridge Company, inadvertently found its flash holes too small for the decapping pin he'd been using, asked whether the resulting enlargement may have ruined it for future use.

Another thread here (suggesting Lapua was discontinuing Palma brass production, a rumor which has been quelched) made mention of a US-based company making small-primer 308WIN brass I'd not yet learned of, Alpha Munitions out in Ogden, Utah.

So I ordered 200 Alpha cases for review & testing; they arrived Friday, made a very good initial impression: I just finished weighing 50 cases selected at random, surprised and pleased to see all 50 within exactly one grain (171.98 - 172.98) with fully 80% within 0.40 grain.

From that other thread I've copied:

"A random 50 new Lapua Palma (lot #P00858802/0691115) from 172.18 to 173.78.

Peterson’s Palma 50 (new, raw, lot #W1TL0018, QC #123016A) ranged from 177.82 grains to 180.96 new, right out of the box."

If weather forecast holds up this week I'd like to run ten rounds of each, loaded as close as I can to the same, thru brand thru my Palma rifle over a chronograph, see what happens. Then I can measure case water volume for each brand too, gain more insight.

 

[ShootDots]

I am a BIG fan of tight, tight, tight tolerances with consistency from lot to lot. I have plenty of brass at the moment, however, once I do have a need, Alpha will get a call from me. I have really not heard anything bad about either Alpha OR Peterson..

 

[smokinghole]

Of the two, whoever gets SAUM brass out will be who I buy creedmoor brass from too. If Alpha comes out with 6 Dasher as also rumored, I would use that in my 6.5BRX AR upper. One can only hope we get domestic producers that expand beyond "stocked on every sporting goods shelf" type cartridge brass.

 

[mikecr]

It needs to be a tougher alloy of brass

 

[spclark]

41° and drizzle yesterday afternoon made me think three times about getting this done, but likely as it was my last chance for center-fire practice this season I went ahead.

A post earlier today by Dan Chisolm bears reading on this topic too, so I've linked it here.


Left to right are screen grabs from my SMT for four different loads shot at 600 yards using my Palma rifle.

Left to right:

Many-times fired Lapua Palma far left, then new Peterson's small-primered 308WIN, then new Lapua Palma, then Alpha Munitions small-primered 308WIN with its 0.080" flash hole.

All new brass was run onto a sizing mandrel, then carefully chamfered inside & out, then flash holes de-burred (using an appropriate size tool for the larger one) then loaded identically to my standard Palma load profile with a Berger 155.5 Fullbore bullet.

(There was a moderate cross-breeze but the drizzle & mist made sight picture as bad as anything I've ever shot a match in; I didn't call the two flyers in the Peterson plot but I'm not blaming their brass.)

Chrono numbers:

Standard Match Load: 2954/2937 fps, avg. 2947 SD 5;
Peterson's brass: 2999/2977 fps, avg. 2978 SD 6;
New Lapua Palma: 2960/2938 fps, avg. 2949 SD 6;
Alpha Munition's Brass: 2967/2954 fps, avg. 2961 SD 4.

Of the three brass types Peterson's is slightly heavier which may account for the higher velocities owing to smaller case internal volume.

When priming the new brass I noted Alpha Munition's pockets appear to be tighter than the other two brands (required more force on my Sinclair tool's handle before primer anvils bottomed out) while Peterson's are very slightly shallower.

Now that I have 'em, next season I'll be integrating these new brands into my match ammunition collection the better to evaluate long-term longevity against what I've experienced with Lapua's Palma brass, currently my preference.

 

[Geno C]

Thanks for the information on a possible alternative for brass. I've been looking for a good informative post if these guys and this is enough for me to give them a go ahead

 

[smokinghole]

I'm just hoping come Shot Show, Alpha or Peterson announce SAUM cases. I will be looking to Peterson and Alpha for my creedmoor needs. Likely Peterson since they are a PA business and extend a veteran discount. It's tough to beat $72/100 for nice brass like that.

 

[Jdne5b]

Thanks for posting. Have you checked neck thickness variance between the 3?

 

[spclark]

Thanks for posting. Have you checked neck thickness variance between the 3?

Cursory manner only; Lapua’s 0.014”, Peterson’s I never checked, Alpha’s 0.013”. Wanted to get cases once-fired before any serious attempt at measuring necks or case head diameters vs. new, unfired. Maybe this weekend....

 

[Toejoe12]

I too have had a similar experience thus far with Alpha Munitions brass. I ordered 100 pieces of their 308 SP brass (they don't call it Palma) as well as 100 pieces of Peterson. Weighed all 100 of each to gauge tolerances.
Peterson had a 3.8 gn spread where Alpha had a 1.0 gn spread. My Alpha brass is same lot # as the OP. Best weight dispersment I've had with Lapua Palma is 1.7 gn. +1 for Alpha.

I randomly spot checked the concentricity on 20 cases for each brand (base, shoulder, to neck on a 21st Century concentricity gauge) Culled 2 pieces of Peterson, 1 piece of Lapua, 0 Alpha. FYI.....I have no problem "fire forming" brass in mid-range matches and do so frequently. I use the culled pieces for practice days, barrel break ins and even load development once fire formed. +2 for Alpha

Loaded 5 pieces each of Alpha and Peterson with my 200-20X match load (around 2700fps so not a light load) Backed the Peterson load down by 2% as their brass is 2 to 3% heavier. Didn't have time with travel and work to check water capacity as I normally do. Alpha and Lapua lots were very close in weight anyway. Shot these during unlimited sighters in 1st match of a 3 X 500 F class match this past weekend. Purpose was to gauge PPocket hold up under hot load condition. Result: Alpha, no change, ppockets still extremely tight. Peterson, noticeably looser. (Fairness to Peterson I need to evaluate further as the weight difference in brass most likely had a impact and my 2% calculation was not enough to back off the load. I want give a thumbs up or down here until further testing can be completed, but I'm already leaning a certain way

Placed an order for 400 more Alpha pieces Monday. I have complete confidence in their product and will use it in matches for 2018. Necks on my Alpha lot were .0135. I turn all my necks to .013 and the ones I've turned so far have cleaned up nicely.

 

[Toejoe12]

Update: Just received my second order on Alpha brass via UPS this afternoon. Had a handwritten note thanking me for "another" order (received a handwritten note in first order thanking me for my business and asking for any feedback) This second note went further to tell me this is a separate lot as they were out of the first lot I ordered. Note said weights would be within 2 gns weight of the first lot but internal capacity was the same. They were right about the weight, however it was only 1 gn difference in weight from the previous lot. ES in this lot also with in 1 gn (173.0 to 173.94 1st 100 all I've weighed so far)

This is a company that cares about the competitive shooter and the product they put out!!! Wow you don't see that type unsolicited customer service any more. American made, quality made, "top shelf" customer service. I'm sold!!.....Buy with confidence!

 

[Ringostar]

I started a thread this past summer, asking about Alpha brass. Also as a newer American company. Should we start working on them for 284 and short mag brass. The thread mostly was ignored. I would like to see them thrive as a business. I would really like to build a short mag if there were good brass available without Norma's price and softness.

 

[muzzlebrake]

Alpha 308 brass works for me. Best this Savage has ever shot. Once fired and loaded with 175 SMK, GMM primers, 42.8 gr IMR 4064. Little to none brass growth. I like it! Way better than anything I could ever get with Laupa or R-P, or Hornady match brass. Primer pockets are still as tight as factory new and brass seems to clean up much easier with just corn cob.

 

[Bill Norris]

Nice shooting no doubt. I have just recently purchased 100 pcs. of Alpha brass for my 260AI. From first glance and weighing it I think it will be great. (178.7 - 179.6 ) .9 of a grain difference in this 100 pcs.

Alpha 308 brass works for me. Best this Savage has ever shot. Once fired and loaded with 175 SMK, GMM primers, 42.8 gr IMR 4064. Little to none brass growth. I like it! Way better than anything I could ever get with Laupa or R-P, or Hornady match brass. Primer pockets are still as tight as factory new and brass seems to clean up much easier with just corn cob.