Lapua or Winchester brass?

[saskatoon]

I am absolutely new to Palma shooting and need some constructive help. My first Palma match will be in mid June and I need to buy new or used brass,500 rounds) for the weeklong event.

What is the best "value" in brass? Lapua is 50% more expensive than Winchester. Is the price difference worth it? I want to be "competitive" without spending lots of time trimming, weighing, sizing, etc.

If so, where is the least expensive place to buy? Are there any good reasons/sources to buy once shot ammo?

Thanks to all who reply,

Regards,

Vaso

 

[ronemus]

I've found Winchester brass to be very good. I recently bought 4700 .223 cases and weight had an extreme spread of 2.5 gr, and over half fell into 0.5 gr. The only prep you'll save with Lapua is deburring the flash holes since Lapua drills theirs, but that only has to be done once. My experience with Winchester .284 brass is similar: 4 gr extreme spread nearly half in a 1 gr range. Winchester tends to be harder and lighter, so the primer pockets hold up longer and there's more room for powder; however, they eventually die due to cracked necks.

As far as sources, I've found good prices at Cabela's and Lock, Stock & Barrel,www.lockstock.com). Both usually have stock, and LSB will check to be sure you get everything from one lot if asked, and LSB has quantity discounts on many items.

 

[wi50]

Lapua brass is the least expensive when you look at it from cost of brass per time loaded. But the initial cost sucks.

I use both and it gets weight sorted, the Winchester isn't to bad, but the Lapua is so verry close I figure I'm wasteing my time sorting it.

Sorry, no answers here

 

[chrisj]

Winchester brass holds more powder than Lapua for the most part. Lapua brass will last longer. Lapua brass isn't that much more $$$ than Wun. Bruno;s has Lapua for just around $41/100 Winchester is $32/100. I have a friend who shot Lapua 308 in a Palma rifle that has over 24 firings through it. Even if it died after that...that's less than 2 cents per firing for top of the line brass.

Chris

 

[gunor]

www.okweber.com

Has 308 Win brass for $24.00 per 100

Go buy 500 cases.

When they are worn out, throw the brass and barrel away.

Barrel - you can probably set it back....

I do prep the brass and etc...

Geoff in Afghanistan

 

[M700]

Excellent Palma discussion, including load info, at http://www.long-range.com

Palma is the focus at that site. If you're shooting Palma, you should be reading there for sure. BTW - I use both Lapua and Winchester brass with my Palma loads and have found out that the shooter is the problem with consistent scores/shooting. Either brass works just fine.