SwissP (RUAG) 5.56 NATO brass

[ASbobcat]

Anyone have experience reloading this brass?

 

[markm87]

Haven't seen it in like 10 years. A buddy had some ammo and I probably go the brass to reload, but I can't remember.

 

[243winxb]

This means use less powder. AI Overview

AI


In the reloading community, Swiss (RUAG) 5.56 NATO brass is known to be among the heaviest and highest-quality cases available, comparable to premium brands like Lapua
. The primary difference between RUAG and other manufacturers lies in the brass's weight, consistency, and internal volume, which affects reloading parameters.

 

[vonb]

I just bought some from Raven Rocks and loaded it up. First impression is that it's nice brass. I weighed 10 and the spread was 1.0 grain difference in weight. These need to be at a minimum neck sized as the tension is too tight to be loaded out of the bag. I used a Lee neck collet die and then a mandrel to get the tension just right. We'll see how they shoot this weekend.

 

[SSchnd]

I have been using it for some years now. Have a bunch of it. Ruag 556 from GECO 55FMJ once fired. I found out when running a Kreiger 1/7 20" service rifle upper I needed to back down my normal 8208 load and a 77SMK or H75 from 23.2 to 22.6-22.8 gr.

I was using H75BTHP Match in the upper and it shucked the jackets off them. Too much speed and was testing only using Boretech Eliminator and not doing my JB regimen every 350-450 rounds.

Any way back to the Ruag bass, very well made consistent brass with lovely flash holes. I have been using this lot for about 6-7 firings in XTC and it has always done me well. Very heavy weight wise. I cannot recall off top of my head the h2o capacity vs the LC brass.

But drop a known load .5 grain and test in your rig.

Oh those of mine were stake crimped so I did not swage the pockets but used the Lyman primer pocket tool with the nibs and just spun the tool in the pocket to knock off the staked crimps. works great.

I weighed a bunch back when I got it and it was so consistently the same grain weight I was pleased. IIRC they were about 102 gr per. Seemed like Lapua to me.

I get a about 3 thou maybe 4 neck interference using a standard RCBS die no bushing.

With the 80SMK/80.5 Berger for 600 yds I run about 30.0 gr 8208 and seat them about 10 thousands off.

Back a few years ago when I was shooting some at a 300 yards reduced course sling prone slow fire AR XTC these were SMK77 match results. Shot better than I could hold.

 

[ASbobcat]

Thanks. Please keep the info coming.

My experience with brass is that manufacturers will sometimes at more brass to compensate for lack of strength. Not saying that's the case here, but my main question is durability of primer pockets. So I would very much appreciate continuing feedback from those of you shooting it, on number of load cycles before they start to open up.

Also would like to know neck wall thickness.

Appreciate the feedback.