Norma Bulk Brass from Brownells, Same Lot?

[INTJ]

I just received two 100 round bags of Norma 270 WSM brass for my 300 WSM LR BR gun. Neither bag had a lot number on it. I called Brownells to see what they knew and best I can tell they get a bulk shipment from Norma and then repackage it.

Is it likely that all 200 pieces came from the same bulk lot? What have others of you experienced?

 

[rsmithsr50]

if you read my review on brownells before you bought you would not have bought.
I said run from this brass

 

[kcjim]

Yes, in my experience it will be from same lot #, especially if you state in your order that you want it all from same lot #. Mine had also been repackaged and someone had written the lot # on each bag.

 

[One Shot One Thrill]

Case body the same length?

 

[dolek]

if you read my review on brownells before you bought you would not have bought.
I said run from this brass

Where is this review ?

 

[INTJ]

My batch is fine. I sorted two bags on a Sartorius Entris scale:

116 at 250 grains
55 at 251 grains
29 at 249 grains (11 of those at 249.9)
4 at 252 grains

Also, I have checked 21 so far for neckwall thickness and they have all been under .002, meaning they will clean up fine when turned. The only issue is they are a pain to neck up from 270 to 308, even though I am using a PMA carbide expander. Going 7mm first doesn't help either.

And yes, 270 WSM and 300 WSM are the same body length, as is the 325 WSM. It's the 7mm WSM that is a little longer in the body.

 

[rsmithsr50]

I sort at 000.1, I do not consider a 4 to 5 grain spread acceptable on 200 pcs of premium brass. just me. target shooting not hunting

 

[rsmithsr50]

anneal them first ?

. The only issue is they are a pain to neck up from 270 to 308, even though I am using a PMA carbide expander. Going 7mm first doesn't help either.

And yes, 270 WSM and 300 WSM are the same body length, as is the 325 WSM. It's the 7mm WSM that is a little longer in the body.

 

[dolek]

anneal them first ?

Where is your review of this brass ?

I sure would like to see your findings.

 

[ttfreestyle]

I have also had good results with this brass, sort it, prep it and you will be good to go.
Benchrest, not hunting.

 

[INTJ]

I sort at 000.1, I do not consider a 4 to 5 grain spread acceptable on 200 pcs of premium brass. just me. target shooting not hunting

.1 grain sorts do not show up on 600/1000 yd BR targets and not even Lapua brass makes that cut. My last 200 rounds of a Lapua 6BR brass lot varied by two grains.

1-2 grain sorts are more than acceptable, as are ES of 20 or better. I used to chase low ES and tight sorts--along with neck-only sizing and deburring flash holes; but I don't keep doing things that don't enhance accuracy.

But we each find our own way. What is important is our approach--turning over every stone to find what works best.

 

[INTJ]

anneal them first ?

I was going to but I don't have the right pilot for 270 WSM--I only have the 300 WSM pilot. I will either make my own mandrel or more likely just fuss with necking them up like I am doing then anneal after the first firing. I'll probably anneal after each firing with these.

I wonder if I should anneal after necking up and turning before the first firing? I am working the necks as I neck them up.

 

[rsmithsr50]

anneal

I was going to but I don't have the right pilot for 270 WSM--I only have the 300 WSM pilot. I will either make my own mandrel or more likely just fuss with necking them up like I am doing then anneal after the first firing. I'll probably anneal after each firing with these.

I wonder if I should anneal after necking up and turning before the first firing? I am working the necks as I neck them up.

 

[rsmithsr50]

since you brought it up(wrong)
my lapua gold box 6br is sorted to 0.1

.1 grain sorts do not show up on 600/1000 yd BR targets and not even Lapua brass makes that cut. My last 200 rounds of a Lapua 6BR brass lot varied by two grains.

1-2 grain sorts are more than acceptable, as are ES of 20 or better. I used to chase low ES and tight sorts--along with neck-only sizing and deburring flash holes; but I don't keep doing things that don't enhance accuracy.

But we each find our own way. What is important is our approach--turning over every stone to find what works best.

 

[ttfreestyle]

since you brought it up(wrong)
my lapua gold box 6br is sorted to 0.1

You can sort to any variation you want in my experience , the piles are just smaller.

 

[INTJ]

You can sort to any variation you want in my experience , the piles are just smaller.

Do you like the idea of annealing this before firing, given the excessive work out on the necks as I neck them up?

 

[ttfreestyle]

Do you like the idea of annealing this before firing, given the excessive work out on the necks as I neck them up?

Yes I think it’s a good idea.

 

[INTJ]

Thanks!

 

[INTJ]

This might be helpful to someone. Neither the Sinclair nor PMA expander mandrels worked well to go from 270 to 308. It was difficult even when using my RCBS Rockchucker Supreme. I had to make several strokes with the ram to get the neck big enough to fit over the turning mandrel.

Not wanting to take the time to turn my own mandrel I started looking around and discovered that I had a set of Whidden expander burton's from .304 to .308 for my Whidden sizer die. The .308 button in the Whidden allows the case neck to fit the turning mandrel with one pass and takes much less effort.

 

[INTJ]

Update. The easiest way to neck these up is to just run them through my Forester FL die, then use the .308 Whidden expander ball in the Whidden die for a second pass. That keeps the necks straight and ready for turning.

I can't use only the Whidden FL die because it is tight on new brass, and that was at my request. My reamer is tight--only .5527 at the .200 line. However, this reamer was responsible for five 1000 yd LG screamer groups and two club records in 2006-2007 and I wanted to try it again. I used a Redding Comp die back then and had no issues, but I had Whidden make me a custom die to to make double sure I had no issues.

This was only the fourth barrel I have chambered and it came out well. Base grows less than .0005 from new brass and the shoulder diameter grows .002. I wound up with .003 growth in shoulder length which is more than I wanted. I initially got the chamber so the bolt would close with a little pressure on the go gauge, but I thought it should close freely. So I tried to put the reamer back in a half thousandth, but it looks like I got it about a thousandth. In retrospect that might be a good thing given the diameter is so tight.

I shot it today and it looks very promising. With new brass, unsorted bullets, and a seating depth at the lands, it averaged a little over a half inch at 200 yds for four three-shot groups and had some good ES as well. Loads were 62-65 grains of H4831SC and Berger 215s. I had one bad shot when I somehow managed to jam the round between the feeding and ejection ports.

I got the hole a little large in the brake--it just touches my nose when it recoils. Not a big deal by my BR gunsmith friend says I can try opening up the back of the brake a bit more. I could also add another six ounces to the stock and still be under 17 lbs.