I received 100 pieces of Alpha Munitions brass in a nice MTM style 100 round ammo box with a double layer of foam for protection. When I opened the box and began examining the brass it became apparent that this was Primo brass of the first order. I opted for the large rifle primer variety over the small rifle primer 6.5 Creedmoor brass for two reasons. The first my firing pin isn't bushed in the rifle I'm using. Second I have a case of the great Federal 210M large rifle match primers.
I began taking measurements after noting the annealing appeared to be perfect. Average case weight was 168.55gr. I'd like to note that Alpha is more concerned with internal volume than external case weight.
Case volume by my measurement was 49.51 gr. of water. Don't take that as gospel since I've seen other published case volumes from 48.75 to 50.0+ it all depends on who, and how the measurements were taken.It's safe to say it's in the 49+ grain range.
I've seen published case capacity for Hornady brass at 53.78 gr., Norma at 52.93, and Lapua52.42.
The Alpha is definitely thicker brass with less case volume so powder charges need to be reduced to achieve the same velocities. Less powder same velocities seems like a win win to me.
I measured case OAL with my Mitutoyo calipers and was amazed to find every piece of brass measured at exactly 1.910 which is minimum trim to length.
Primer pocket width was .207, primer pocket depth was .128.
Neck wall thickness measured with my Holland case neck micrometer came in at .0145.
Loaded round neck diameter is .293 and some change using Hornady 140 ELD-M bullets.
I next took a peek inside with my dogs ear Otoscope. Perfect flash holes no deburring needed.
Primer pockets were perfect also no need to uniform them.
Attention to detail everywhere. I was impressed.
My conclusion is that Alpha has hit the ball out of the park with their brass. It's the best brass I've found in all my years of reloading. This is from an American company with American workers.
Alphas goal is not to crank out the most brass, but to make the finest brass possible with the best customer service.
They made a believer out of me.
Danny
I began taking measurements after noting the annealing appeared to be perfect. Average case weight was 168.55gr. I'd like to note that Alpha is more concerned with internal volume than external case weight.
Case volume by my measurement was 49.51 gr. of water. Don't take that as gospel since I've seen other published case volumes from 48.75 to 50.0+ it all depends on who, and how the measurements were taken.It's safe to say it's in the 49+ grain range.
I've seen published case capacity for Hornady brass at 53.78 gr., Norma at 52.93, and Lapua52.42.
The Alpha is definitely thicker brass with less case volume so powder charges need to be reduced to achieve the same velocities. Less powder same velocities seems like a win win to me.
I measured case OAL with my Mitutoyo calipers and was amazed to find every piece of brass measured at exactly 1.910 which is minimum trim to length.
Primer pocket width was .207, primer pocket depth was .128.
Neck wall thickness measured with my Holland case neck micrometer came in at .0145.
Loaded round neck diameter is .293 and some change using Hornady 140 ELD-M bullets.
I next took a peek inside with my dogs ear Otoscope. Perfect flash holes no deburring needed.
Primer pockets were perfect also no need to uniform them.
Attention to detail everywhere. I was impressed.
My conclusion is that Alpha has hit the ball out of the park with their brass. It's the best brass I've found in all my years of reloading. This is from an American company with American workers.
Alphas goal is not to crank out the most brass, but to make the finest brass possible with the best customer service.
They made a believer out of me.
Danny
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