I want to start loading my own ammo within a year, so I've decided to order practice ammo based solely on the quality of casings. It seems that both Norma and Lapua have strong followings, but some research has shown that some manufacturers are not consistent through all caliber sizes. For example, Lapua might have superior primer pockets in .308, but might have lower quality pockets or softer brass than Norma in .223. For those who reload in either .223 and/or 6.5 Creedmoor, can you tell me which brass you prefer and why? Thanks all!
Best brass for 223 and 6.5CM
- Thread starter clunker
- Start date
I have used Winchester, Remington and Lapua in the 223 AR for XTC and Mid Range competition.
Winchester brass had a good reputation and was the least expensive many years ago. I now find I need to do a thorough inspection and cull 2 or 3 per 100 pieces but it shoots well for XTC and I do not get concerned when I lose some in the grass shooting standing.
I found Remington brass to be more uniform than the Winchester brass but I could not tell the difference on the target and it currently seems to be more expensive and not as available.
Lapua brass is definitely more uniform than Winchester and Remington and is more expensive. I use it for mid range in the AR and the bolt gun but can not say that I can tell the difference in score over the Winchester and Remington.
Winchester brass had a good reputation and was the least expensive many years ago. I now find I need to do a thorough inspection and cull 2 or 3 per 100 pieces but it shoots well for XTC and I do not get concerned when I lose some in the grass shooting standing.
I found Remington brass to be more uniform than the Winchester brass but I could not tell the difference on the target and it currently seems to be more expensive and not as available.
Lapua brass is definitely more uniform than Winchester and Remington and is more expensive. I use it for mid range in the AR and the bolt gun but can not say that I can tell the difference in score over the Winchester and Remington.
http://atlasdg.com/adg-store-landing-page/ for the 6.5 and Hornaday for my .223/6.5 as well.
I picked up Norma 130gr otm factory ammo 2 boxes for basicly same price as 50 pieces of brass. Good brass pre loaded now fireformed, saved money on components doing this. Playing with 50 pieces of hornsby 6five but only 1st firing.
If you can find it Swift 223 this stuff is primo.
It's what I'm using in my 6x45. Very uniform.
If you can find it Swift 223 this stuff is primo.
It's what I'm using in my 6x45. Very uniform.
Lapua is probably the best that money can buy.
For 223 lake city is the best for the money when buying once fired brass. I like FC brass because it will not have to be trimmed until fired 3 times.
Otherwise check out Starline brass for high quality with an economical price for new brass in most calibers.
For 223 lake city is the best for the money when buying once fired brass. I like FC brass because it will not have to be trimmed until fired 3 times.
Otherwise check out Starline brass for high quality with an economical price for new brass in most calibers.
I have a couple boxes of the same Norma 130gr. Some of the local retailers have them at decent prices, and it shoots well. I saw some Swift on Midway today, but the price was outrageous. Also, I saw a 600-pack of Lapua 55gr on Target Sports for $370. Or the Norma equivalent TAC-223 for $0.45 per round on Midway. There are good deals out there. I just want the brass that will let me reload 15 times.
I can't remember either bruno's or mid south.
I saw rem brass for $49 a hundred.
It's what I shoot in 06' some of which has
13-14 firings, and I push it pretty hard.
Mostly only neck size, full length only when it needs it. Never been annealed. Only 1 split neck!! I am getting ready for a fresh batch.
I saw rem brass for $49 a hundred.
It's what I shoot in 06' some of which has
13-14 firings, and I push it pretty hard.
Mostly only neck size, full length only when it needs it. Never been annealed. Only 1 split neck!! I am getting ready for a fresh batch.
Got issues with starline in 6.5 CM. Nasty stuff. I like all their pistol brass but I'm not going near their rifle brass again. Weights were way off. New and they would NOT fit a LE Wilson case gauge or Hornady guage either. Just all the way different than their pistol stuff.
My experience with Remington in 223 in an AR is that it’s way soft at the head and is not suitable to use in a semiauto.
I have mixed feelings about Lake City. Frontier ammo is dirt cheap and shoots decent, but my .223 barrel started fouling badly after using it.
The .223 loves Nosler ammo, and I intend to use their bullets when I hand load. Partitions and Accubonds are industry standards for hunting. Any idea if Nosler brass is any good?
If Lapua brass is universally the best that money can buy, then I'll go that route. But I get the impression that Lapua is only superior in certain calibers.
The .223 loves Nosler ammo, and I intend to use their bullets when I hand load. Partitions and Accubonds are industry standards for hunting. Any idea if Nosler brass is any good?
If Lapua brass is universally the best that money can buy, then I'll go that route. But I get the impression that Lapua is only superior in certain calibers.
So I take it your .223 is a bolt gun..? If not don't waste the money on expensive brass , Lake City will work fine... The AR platform is very hard on brass...
Yes! My .223 is a Tikka T3 bolt-action. It will shoot sub-MOA in 3-shot groups all day long with decent factory ammo, but I want better than that (hence the desire to start reloading). If Frontier powder isn't overly corrosive, and I clean at the range, I would settle for their ammo if it reloads consistently.
I use nosler brass in wifes 260. So far so good, it takes the beating I give em.
Not sure where you get the info about Lapua only being superior in some calibers. Lapua is amongst the best in all calibers they make. Their 223 brass used to be made by Nammo and were not as good as the regular Lapua brass but that has been fixed ( the Nammo brass is good, just used up 500 of them in my match AR but not Lapua) Don’t sweat the brass question to much, it’s not a bench rest setup.
Just me chattering but if you are just starting to reload I'd start with a pile of range pick up 223. You'll need to practice cleaning brass, trimming, setting up your dies, inside & outside mouth de-burring ( don't forget the steel wool spinner), lubing cases, bumping & measuring shoulders. It's just junk to practice on, you can either throw it away after practice or load and shoot. You won't be out anything if a case or two gets damaged in the learning curve and its bound to happen. Buy the good stuff after practice, I can tell you it really hurts to rumple up a piece of your good brass. And, if I was going to order brass tomorrow it would be Peterson.
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