Brass.................

[alstar80j]

The question of what "brass" to use for your own reloads is a daunting question that I am finding to be answered by two considerations. The first being "laboratory findings" of the manufacturer, and the second being "actual findings" of bench loaders. The price ranges from Laupa to Remington, and so does the performance according to "actual findings". I am told that the Remington brass is soft and the longevity is not good. I am told that Laupa brass is some of the very best in all catergories, but SO IS THE PRICE ! Winchester brass seems to be a favorite. It can be used multiple times and is forgiving on wear and tear. The cost is a good "bang for the buck". I have also read that Nosler brass is very good and you can buy "factory seconds". The finish might not be front line, but the performance is still Nosler. I read where to buy this a short time ago, and can't seem to recall where I read it or where to get it. Does anyone know where this site is, and is the Nosler 2nd brass the way to go for best all around performance verses price per round ?? I suppose it would help if I included that this information would be and is for .243 Winchester rounds.

 

[SF340Driver]

In my experience, Lapua brass is heads above all others except Norma -- which is usually more expensive. Lapua will allow for the highest number of loadings even without annealing the brass. If you do anneal it will last for an astounding number of loadings -- 40 or more.

Winchester,aka: Black Hills/Lake City Match) would be my second choice. It's a good hard brass that will stand up to stiff loads well. It will last the longest of the non premium brass especially if you anneal it every couple of loads.

Nosler I found to be no better than Winchester brass, but it has a higher price -- I will weight sort the brass myself for the price difference.

Federal/Remington brass is too soft. You will only get 3-4 loadings before the primer pockets are too loose. The weight variation is high too.

There are some other good brass sources as well:
IMI Match,Israeli Military brass)is as good or slightly better than Winchester.
S&B,European brass) is not quite a good as Winchester brass -- a little softer, but it does hold up to a number of loadings.

I don't have the link for the Nosler seconds, but I'm sure someone will chime in with it.

Greg

 

[Rust]

I bought 500 pieces of Norma 6.5 X 284 because everyone was out of Lapua last year. The neck thickness variations were about the poorest I've ever seen, up to .007". Yeah, a lot of neck turning cleaned it up but left excessive clearance in my chamber. A waste of money. Save yours.

Picked up 500 pieces of Lapua 6.5 X 284 for less money and the stuff is phenominally good.

Picked up 600 pieces of Lapua .308 and it's just as good. Just iron out the necks,either use a floating carbide expander in a neck sizing die or an expanding mandrel and then a neck sizer) and load it.

Second choice after Lapua is Winchester.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Try www.shootersproshop.com. HTH. Mike.

 

[Clarence]

Lapua user here but!
Some of the claims as to the primer pockets getting big are due to the chamber being tooooo big thus the pockets will loosen.
Custom chambers will reduce or eliminate the loose pockets after many firings, I know of cases,winchester)that will go 20 times at LR loadings,and know many High Masters that shoot Win. We also see this with the Lapua, however personally I turn necks,Lapua) by .0003 for the 308 case and that is all that is needed for the straight uniform necks,read Paranoid here)and use the Redding "S" die with bushing for the neck no expander lest one wants bad TIR.

Clarence