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Best .243 brass

I run 2 types of brass in my .243's, Lapua Palma small primer converted to .308, and Winchester .243 brass. I run the Lapua in a higher pressure, heavy bullet load, and it holds up well to the pressure giving me about 15 firing cycles before showing significant signs of thinning at the case head. The Winchester is used in a milder heavy bullet load and I safely get 10 cycles on this brass before it is done. I am happy with both types of brass. If you run normal pressures the Lapua brass will likely give you a good deal more firing cycles than many of the cheaper brands. Depending on how much shooting you do it could prove to be the cheaper option due to its longer life.
 
Peterson is priced about the same as Lapua. Both are, as you say, great stuff. Either one will last a long time and will more than likely be more economical over the product life than 'cheaper' brands. I have .243 Lapua brass, fire formed to .243 AI, that has seen 9 cycles and it is as good as new. My loads run warm and if the primer pockets have expanded since new, I can't feel it. The same loads sacked Winchester brass (older lot) in 6 cycles. I'm confident the Lapua brass (100 pieces) will last as long as the barrel and then some. I do anneal after every firing, so primer pockets tend to be the failure point. FWIW . . . .
 
I've used Remington, Winchester, Federal, and most recently Hornady. All have performed well for me.

I dedicate a group of cases (the same lot / brand), usually about 50 to 60 to specific rifle. After the initial case prep and firing I carefully full size bumping the shoulder back .001 to .002". I normally get 15 to 16 reloads before retiring the cases.

The problem I've encountered with Winchester is that so many of the new cases have serious defects sometimes as high as 5 to 7% rendering them unusable. I don't like paying for junk.
 
I've used Remington, Winchester, Federal, and most recently Hornady. All have performed well for me.

I dedicate a group of cases (the same lot / brand), usually about 50 to 60 to specific rifle. After the initial case prep and firing I carefully full size bumping the shoulder back .001 to .002". I normally get 15 to 16 reloads before retiring the cases.

The problem I've encountered with Winchester is that so many of the new cases have serious defects sometimes as high as 5 to 7% rendering them unusable. I don't like paying for junk.
 
I didn't know there was such a thing but I just bought some "Dogtown" brass from Midway USA. in 243 win.
They claim this brass is made by Norma with Dogtown name put on it. So far it's been very good. I got 100
cases for 35.00 on sale...check it out.;)
 
hillbillydruggist said:
anything cheaper than Lapua, i am sure it’s great stuff, just too expensive for me.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Most times cheap isnt the best way to go. The number of cycles can make more expensive brass cheaper in the long run. I know a guy that has 50 reloading on 300 WSM Norma brass. I bet you dont get anywhere close to that with Remington or Winchester brass. He told me he thought it was still good but he threw it away after 5 years of competition. I actually replace my 300 WSM brass after 10 to 15 firings because I believe it loses accuracy after that many. Matt
 
I've run a batch of PPU and a batch of Straline. Both have been very good. Good accuracy, low SD/ES with both. The PPU shows pressure signs about 1.5-2 grains before the Starline. It hasn't had negative effects on the PPUs accuracy, I just can't load them as hot.

For the money Starline is hard to beat.
 
dkhunt14 said:
Most times cheap isnt the best way to go. The number of cycles can make more expensive brass cheaper in the long run. I know a guy that has 50 reloading on 300 WSM Norma brass. I bet you dont get anywhere close to that with Remington or Winchester brass. He told me he thought it was still good but he threw it away after 5 years of competition. I actually replace my 300 WSM brass after 10 to 15 firings because I believe it loses accuracy after that many. Matt
Click to expand...


Jip I retired a 243 barrel with 100 pieces of 243 lapua brass, converted those 100 pieces to SLR for hunting brass, used another 100 new pieces to retire my first SLR barrel and that batch is still sitting on the bench in perfect working condition. Iff I had a tighter chamber in my new SLR I would still be using 243 lapua brass but all the turning got old fast. Running sako brass now and its holding up but the blue box will always be my nr brand.

I have a 100 pieces of old Winchester 300wm brass that is very good but the new stuff wont see my money
 
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