Question about 6mm BR brass.

[StevenDzupin]

I've noticed that Lapua seems to be the most popular brass used in the 6mm BR.

Is there some reason Norma brass is not mentioned more often ?

I've noticed that the Gold box Lapua I have measure 5% lighter than the few Normas I have.

The Norma cases hold 3% less water than the Lapua and the Lapuas' have a very smooth radius

inside the case near the head.

The Normas' have a pronounced raised step between the case wall and primer pocket.

Any thoughts, Please.


Regards,

Steve

 

[fdshuster]

Steve: I cannot speak for anyone else's experience with Norma brass in 6BR, but, about 5 years ago I compared them side by side: 20 new Norma vs. 20 new Lapua. They were both loaded identically & fired in the same chamber. After only 5 and 6 loadings with the Norma I was experiencing very hard bolt lift after firing and lose primer pockets. The 20 Lapua cases continued on to over 45 loadings, I still have & use them. That turned me off on Norma.

But, I've recently bought two box's of 25 each (approx. $21.00 each from MidSouth) and will be again comparing them with Lapua, this time the new blue box. The case necks on the Norma are averaging .0135" to .014", the same thickness as the "old" cardboard box Lapua, the cases are about .005" longer than Lapua, they come in compartmentalized (egg box) cardboard box's with foam padding on the bottom & top. Not a single one has the dents in the case mouths that are so common with the loose packaging. It seems that Norma has lowered their pricing a little, now closer to Lapua since Lapua has raised theirs.

Looking forward to doing a comparison again between the 2, just need the co-operation of the Winter weather.

 

[StevenDzupin]

Thanks for the response.

Looking forward to hear about your testing.

Just joined a range here in Maryland and of course it's going to rain next week.LOL

Regards,

Steve

 

[A j shooter]

Steve: I cannot speak for anyone else's experience with Norma brass in 6BR, but, about 5 years ago I compared them side by side: 20 new Norma vs. 20 new Lapua. They were both loaded identically & fired in the same chamber. After only 5 and 6 loadings with the Norma I was experiencing very hard bolt lift after firing and lose primer pockets. The 20 Lapua cases continued on to over 45 loadings, I still have & use them. That turned me off on Norma.

But, I've recently bought two box's of 25 each (approx. $21.00 each from MidSouth) and will be again comparing them with Lapua, this time the new blue box. The case necks on the Norma are averaging .0135" to .014", the same thickness as the "old" cardboard box Lapua, the cases are about .005" longer than Lapua, they come in compartmentalized (egg box) cardboard box's with foam padding on the bottom & top. Not a single one has the dents in the case mouths that are so common with the loose packaging. It seems that Norma has lowered their pricing a little, now closer to Lapua since Lapua has raised theirs.

Looking forward to doing a comparison again between the 2, just need the co-operation of the

let us know if ther is any change in quality . Thank you

 

[areaone]

Don't push the max of this Norma Brass and it will last and the primer pockets will not be a problem, seems to be softer brass than lapua, a good alternative due to neck thickness for the older Gold Box lapua and its thicker neck than the new Blue Box for a 272 chambered 6 BR. I bot some Norma brass when the Gold Box was replaced with the blue box specs, using it in a 272 neck, while I use the blue box in the .2704., works fine in the 272 chamber, and have reloaded it 6-8 times with ZERO problems. Midsouth has the best pricing and it is superbly packed in 25 ct boxes. very consistent quality.

 

[fdshuster]

Rodger: That was the thing with the Norma brass that I used 5 years ago: It and the Lapua were both loaded with one of my older loads that was very mild. 30 grs. of N133 with the 68 gr. Berger #24411. Chronographed at 3320 fps. Not "hot" by any means, and it still failed miserably after 5 and 6 loadings.

The new Norma is at least a better deal, cost wise being approx. $84 per 100, same price as Lapua, and I do like the thicker necks. They (Norma) have done everything possible to prevent damage during shipment with the padded & compartmentalized box's. Nice to see that MidSouth is an "official" distributor of the Norma. I also bought some of their 6ppc brass to compare to my Lapua 220 Russian.

 

[Rtheurer]

Frank
You must have got some bad brass back in the day. I have been using Norma Brass from day 1 (2008) Reason i use it is that It was given to me for free... Cant beat that right? Those origional 150 pcs are still going strong with 13 fireings on them with 30gr of Varget and 105gr VLDs like everyone else is shooting. My last LOT of Varget is a little faster so I had to back down to 29.5 to keep it in the same NOde as before but no ill effect on anything else. Ill most likely move those over into my 22BR wne I get a chance to load them up. I continue to use Norma dispite ALOT of folks saying its soft and a poor choice. I just smile and keep on shootin them in my .272 necked chamber.
I have a feeling your new testing will have you smiling as well.

Best of luck Sir
RT

 

[areaone]

Let's don't promote the quality of this new Norma brass with its neck thickness comparable to the Old Gold Box Lapua too much since we may affect the value of Gold Box Lapua on the secondary market as it seems to be on its way to $150-$200 per 100. I have 300 "rat holed" for the day that there isn't anymore and the price is astronmical(remember the Tulip Bulb craze in Holland), Hello-Gold Box Lapua, bring it on.