Do you trust virgin brass for match use?

[fatelvis]

Do you prefer using fire formed brass for match use? If so, how many firings before you feel totally confident? How about using virgin brass in a match? Thanks in advance for Any input!

 

[watercam]

I have shot 1000yd. Regionals with new brass and did not feel it hurt me. Shot next to the Scottish National Rifle Team once and they were forced to buy factory Palma loads to shoot as Uncle Sam would not allow them to bring ammo with them. They out shot pretty much everyone.

 

[rardoin]

I voted the 'once fired' option meaning at least one firing. However, I have shot virgin brass in matches on more than one occasion and had excellent results. Most recently at 600yds with a 600-36x using new Norma (Shiraz's) .284 brass (and x count would have been significantly improved if I would have properly centered my group on the first match). I have shot 200's at 600yds fireforming 6.5 x55 Imp. I would not show up at an important match with virgin brass unless I had no alternative but my findings, at 600yds at least, suggest I should not have such fears.

Robin

 

[dogdude]

Dave, a lot of big time shooters say you can go with virgin brass..but I'm a once fired guy.

Egan

 

[Papa Charlie]

I don't like using new brass for matches. I will use once fired and find I see more consistency on brass that has been fired at least 3 times.

This is with Lapua .308 Win, large primer brass. I would imagine that this will vary depending on the loads being fired. High charges should, in theory, fire form faster than lighter loads.

 

[F Class John]

I would argue that if you handed loaded ammo using virgin and 2-3x loaded brass and had any Master/HM shoot them each without telling which is which you’d see very little performance difference. I think we would all agree the difference is there, it’s seeing it that is debatable (at least in rounds that don’t require massive shoulder moving or such).

 

[shoot4fun]

I prefer, although in a pinch I will shoot virgin brass, to fire once with a powder charge a little lower than the normal match load.
If I know the normal load is not at the top of the pressure threshold then I will use virgin brass for a match any time.

 

[Ned Ludd]

If prepped properly, virgin brass can work very well, indeed. I would not hesitate to use it in a local match. However, I'd prefer 1X-, or 2X-fired brass for more important matches at the regional/state level, or beyond.

 

[6MT]

I only shoot virgin brass at matches if I'm stuck. I don't trust the uneven neck tensions with virgin brass (Lapua).

 

[rardoin]

If prepped properly, virgin brass can work very well, indeed. I would not hesitate to use it in a local match. However, I'd prefer 1X-, or 2X-fired brass for more important matches at the regional/state level, or beyond.

On the two cartridges I mentioned, a .284 Win and a 6.5 x55 AI I just ran a mandrel with graphite lube to set the 'neck tension' after an inside chamfer, loaded and shot 'em. My experience with the latter cartridge, and a conversation with an accomplished shooter, made me spec a no turn reamer for the .284. I've now got enough time to watch useless television at night with my wife.

Robin

 

[Baddog0302]

WHAT do you think you are shooting when you shoot factory match ammo ? IE: FGGM, Black Hills Match, ect.

 

[JFrank]

I only shoot virgin brass at matches if I'm stuck. I don't trust the uneven neck tensions with virgin brass (Lapua).

The neck tension or bullet hold, is definitely increased using virgin brass.
I myself have FF brass at a match with mixed results.
J

 

[mikeinct]

I voted for once fired, reloads. That said, some calibers & Brands of match grade ammo can be really good in certain rifles. It is really just one of those "it depends" situations. Mike in Ct

 

[Ned Ludd]

On the two cartridges I mentioned, a .284 Win and a 6.5 x55 AI I just ran a mandrel with graphite lube to set the 'neck tension' after an inside chamfer, loaded and shot 'em. My experience with the latter cartridge, and a conversation with an accomplished shooter, made me spec a no turn reamer for the .284. I've now got enough time to watch useless television at night with my wife.

Robin

That's similar to the prep I use: open up the necks with an oversized expander mandrel (~.001" under bullet diameter), size them back down with the appropriate bushing for ~.002" neck tension (interference fit), trim/chamfer. It works very well. Out of the box, Lapua neck diameters seem to be all over the map, so the brass needs to be prepped in some fashion before use to correct this issue.

 

[Snuggie]

^
I have to turn the necks on my .223. Like Robin I also run them through with a mandrel and champher inside and out. If the brass sits for a week or so I re mandrel and load. No probs. The pea shooter is on!

 

[Snuggie]

On the two cartridges I mentioned, a .284 Win and a 6.5 x55 AI I just ran a mandrel with graphite lube to set the 'neck tension' after an inside chamfer, loaded and shot 'em. My experience with the latter cartridge, and a conversation with an accomplished shooter, made me spec a no turn reamer for the .284. I've now got enough time to watch useless television at night with my wife.

Robin

Yeah, it takes a while to turn 100 cases! I just put the Allman Brothers on and go at it.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I voted once fired .
I will shoot what I have ready.
I shoot Palma mostly . Shot new Lapua this Spring in a Match and did very very well .
I made HM years ago with this schedule?
I even shoot Winchester Brass

 

[dcali]

I’d rather have it fired a few times but I don’t hesitate to use new brass. I don’t think it matters much.

 

[Martin52]

I prefer using cases that have been fired at least once, preferably twice.

With new cases, I expand first then seat my Berger 155.5 FB's into the lands to allow the case to expand fully to fit the chamber.

After that, I'm generally using a 0.025 jump. LR F class.

 

[Joe Salt]

I have had good luck with 300 wsm fire forming but it still seems to shoot better after the third firing. 6mm Dasher I have, seems to shoot better after third or fourth firing!

Joe Salt