Norma or Winchester brass for a no turn neck 284?

[AROKHUNTER]

Which brass would be the better choice for a no turn neck in a 284 Winchester long range hunting rifle?

I bought some new Winchester brass and the flash holes are not very clea on about half of the brass. Looks like the punch was off center at initial alignment and then punched the hole. Hard to explain. But I’m not happy with it.

Is Norma brass better than Winchester brass? It’s more expensive, but I will spend the money if it’s an improvement over the Winchester brass that I have.

I also know that the Norma brass necks are thicker than the Winchester brass. Would this present any problems or issues?

I’ll have a custom reamer made to accommodate the brass I choose.

On a side note, I will not use Lapua Brass because of potential donut issues. So Norma or Winchester brass are my options.

 

[284winner]

Which brass would be the better choice for a no turn neck in a 284 Winchester long range hunting rifle?

I bought some new Winchester brass and the flash holes are not very clea on about half of the brass. Looks like the punch was off center at initial alignment and then punched the hole. Hard to explain. But I’m not happy with it.

Is Norma brass better than Winchester brass? It’s more expensive, but I will spend the money if it’s an improvement over the Winchester brass that I have.

I also know that the Norma brass necks are thicker than the Winchester brass. Would this present any problems or issues?

I’ll have a custom reamer made to accommodate the brass I choose.

On a side note, I will not use Lapua Brass because of potential donut issues. So Norma or Winchester brass are my options.

As dumb as this may sound, I'm not sure that primer hole being slightly off center will matter. No, it's not asthetically pleasing but if the firing pin hits the primer and ignites it , I'm not all that sure it matters where the primer gets impacted. Winchester brass is good brass( exception being yours that sounds a bit defective). I have great luck with it. Norma IS better brass I believe but dollar for dollar( primer hole being dead center), it's the best bargain if your willing to do a bit of clean up.

 

[dkhunt14]

I have not shot Norma brass in a 284 but have shot it on others. The Norma is always better quality. Yes it is more expensive but I feel it is worth it. I had built a 6.5 WSSM and the only brass I could get was Winchester. After dealing with that brass, I swore I would never build another one. The brass from new would fall in one shell holder, be snug in the next and some you couldn't push in with both thumbs. I just felt the quality was not there. Matt

 

[Ringostar]

Where do you plan on getting the Norma brass? I believe that was a special run for Bullets.com. With that shutting down now, I don't know that it will be available anywhere else.

 

[dkhunt14]

Where do you plan on getting the Norma brass? I believe that was a special run for Bullets.com. With that shutting down now, I don't know that it will be available anywhere else.

I believe NORMA is still going to make Dasher and 284 brass. I read that somewhere. They already have the tooling now. Matt

 

[Ringostar]

They have been making 6.5x284 since they're the ones that standardized it. I find it hard to believe that they will produce both, but we will see. I never tried they're 284 brass. I heard a lot of negative reports from fellow shooters about the primer pockets not lasting very long, and not worth the extra expense over Lapua. I understand what the OP is after. I get sick of fighting doughnuts in my 284.

 

[dkhunt14]

They have been making 6.5x284 since they're the ones that standardized it. I find it hard to believe that they will produce both, but we will see. I never tried they're 284 brass. I heard a lot of negative reports from fellow shooters about the primer pockets not lasting very long, and not worth the extra expense over Lapua. I understand what the OP is after. I get sick of fighting doughnuts in my 284.

If tjey have the cost of the tooling paid for, why wouldn't they run it? I think Shiraz said the Norma importer is going to get it. Matt

 

[Dave T]

Where do you plan on getting the Norma brass? I believe that was a special run for Bullets.com. With that shutting down now, I don't know that it will be available anywhere else.

Wait, who is shutting down?

 

[Papa Charlie]

Wait, who is shutting down?

Bullets.com posted here on the site that they will be shutting down.

 

[Ringostar]

Matt, I'm not disagreeing with you. I hope that Norma would offer both, its like producing 260 and 7-08. Dave, Bullets.com is shutting down, not Norma! Shiraz is still going to offer his Bald Eagle products, but they will be sold through Grizzly.

 

[dkhunt14]

Matt, I'm not disagreeing with you. I hope that Norma would offer both, its like producing 260 and 7-08. Dave, Bullets.com is shutting down, not Norma! Shiraz is still going to offer his Bald Eagle products, but they will be sold through Grizzly.

I am not arguing either. I beleive he announced on the forum that Norma would still produce them and the Norma US distributor would import them. He also announced March scopes woukd be available through Optics Planet and the March company.

So, I just took as they will still be available. I know sometimes the biggest cost of making a new case is tooling. That's why most companies have a figure for the amount of cases ordered nefore they will run them. They would be crazy for not running them, because now it would all be profit. Matt

 

[dskogman]

Norma 284 brass is excellent. I’ve shot 1000’s of rounds and up to 10 reloads and never split a neck. Primer pockets will go if you over pressure but so will everything else.

 

[pslater]

Where do you plan on getting the Norma brass? I believe that was a special run for Bullets.com. With that shutting down now, I don't know that it will be available anywhere else.

I just bought 200 Norma 284 Win brass from bullets.com. On closeout @ $109.95/100.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I just bought 200 Norma 284 Win brass from bullets.com. On closeout @ $109.95/100.

I finally decided to go with Norma Brass. I ordered 400 pieces from Bullets.com today too.

I’ll save the Winchester brass for a 284 sporter style hunting rifle build that I have planned for later.

I am not as experienced or knowledgeable as other shooters here, but gut feeling says that the sorry punched flash holes can only be a potential problem. They sure aren’t going to help anything.

 

[284winner]

I finally decided to go with Norma Brass. I ordered 400 pieces from Bullets.com today too.

I’ll save the Winchester brass for a 284 sporter style hunting rifle build that I have planned for later.

I am not as experienced or knowledgeable as other shooters here, but gut feeling says that the sorry punched flash holes can only be a potential problem. They sure aren’t going to help anything.

Your choice in Norma was solid. The punched pocket issue I'm lost on. Punching leaves an occasional Burr therefore requiring a little de burring. I think it should be done on all new brass. Winchester primer pockets haven't caused me any issues. It's not as consistent in size and weight as lapua or maybe Norma but it's brass that works very well in all areas of shooting. Sorting for precision or accuracy may be necessary but it will do as well as any other once that is accomplished.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

Your choice in Norma was solid. The punched pocket issue I'm lost on. Punching leaves an occasional Burr therefore requiring a little de burring. I think it should be done on all new brass. Winchester primer pockets haven't caused me any issues. It's not as consistent in size and weight as lapua or maybe Norma but it's brass that works very well in all areas of shooting. Sorting for precision or accuracy may be necessary but it will do as well as any other once that is accomplished.

I’ve used Winchester brass for several other rifles that I have in different chamberings, and have never seen brass anywhere close to as sorry as this Winchester 284 brass. All other experiences with Winchester brass was more than excellent. I always fully prep all my brass, but I can’t even get all of the burr removed from the inside of the flash hole. It will probably work for another build where shots will be 300 yards or less. At least I won’t be disappointed if I lose some here and there!

 

[284winner]

I’ve used Winchester brass for several other rifles that I have in different chamberings, and have never seen brass anywhere close to as sorry as this Winchester 284 brass. All other experiences with Winchester brass was more than excellent. I always fully prep all my brass, but I can’t even get all of the burr removed from the inside of the flash hole. It will probably work for another build where shots will be 300 yards or less. At least I won’t be disappointed if I lose some here and there!

Good to know. I'll pay close attention to my new purchased 284 win brass.

 

[ebb]

Can you even get 284 Winchester brass? My friend hasn't been able to find any in years.

 

[Laurie]

I’ve used Winchester brass for several other rifles that I have in different chamberings, and have never seen brass anywhere close to as sorry as this Winchester 284 brass. All other experiences with Winchester brass was more than excellent. I always fully prep all my brass, but I can’t even get all of the burr removed from the inside of the flash hole. It will probably work for another build where shots will be 300 yards or less. At least I won’t be disappointed if I lose some here and there!

My findings exactly, and those of others who tried some Winchester 284 one of the UK's distributors got in maybe five years ago. Much poorer than same vintage Winchester 308 and 7mm-08 brass (the latter actually very good).

"Punching leaves an occasional Burr therefore requiring a little de burring. I think it should be done on all new brass." [284winner]

I'd agree with this, only take issue with the degree implied by those two words.

 

[284winner]

Can you even get 284 Winchester brass? My friend hasn't been able to find any in years.

It was available if it's not now. Winchester only does a run on 284 brass very infrequently. As said by some here previously, this newest run leaves some unhappy with the end result. I haven't even opened a bag yet. When I do, I'm sure I'll have the same issues. Either way, I'll work with it and make it ready for fire. Hard to beat the price on new brass. 284 brass is tough to find unless you want to pay for Norma or neck up lapua. Sure be nice if lapua made it.