Which brand of 308 Win brass to keep...?

[TheCZKid]

After living in the same place for 13 years, my landlord is selling the place! I've got about 70 days left...

Now, faced with moving EVERYTHING I own, I'm downsizing. Over the years I've accumulated a fair amount of 308 brass, and figure it might be time to winnow it down to a brand or two... I only shoot an Aero Precision AR 10 18" Ballistic Advantage barrel in 308, so it probably doesn't matter a whole lot which I use, but I'd like some opinions on what's got the best potential for making the most accurate loads in the long run. I figure I'll work on load development to try to get a reasonably accurate (3/4 moa or better) load next year, so if I keep one, or two, which brass might be similar to work with and best in your experience?

The brands I've got a few hundred of each are: Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Lake City, and mostly Federal, some PMC. I have a few Lapua, Nosler and others.

 

[Homerange]

WW, LC and Lapua. Ditch the rest unless you have some attachment to them.

 

[TheCZKid]

Thanks for the input.
I was mainly trying to work up loads with the LC, as it's what I like in 223. Winchester seems nicely made, Remington is soft with thick necks. Not a big Hornady fan, Federal is supposed to have the primer pockets loosen up quick, but haven't shot any enough to know. I forgot I have a decent amount of WWC too.

Anyone have experience with FC multiple loads?

 

[Homerange]

Decades back LC was considered the ducks nuts for quality cases and although I have a little of it not done much with it whereas I well remember the time working up some hunting loads with Federal cases when someone left some Lapua in my range bin so swapped to them and....wham bam thank you ma'am !


Other chaps that come here expressly use WW for their tough and generally higher capacity cases which are prized by some for long range use. I've had a good run with Hornady 223 brass and have a bit of their LRP brass but not done much with it yet.

 

[hoz53]

After living in the same place for 13 years, my landlord is selling the place! I've got about 70 days left...

Now, faced with moving EVERYTHING I own, I'm downsizing. Over the years I've accumulated a fair amount of 308 brass, and figure it might be time to winnow it down to a brand or two... I only shoot an Aero Precision AR 10 18" Ballistic Advantage barrel in 308, so it probably doesn't matter a whole lot which I use, but I'd like some opinions on what's got the best potential for making the most accurate loads in the long run. I figure I'll work on load development to try to get a reasonably accurate (3/4 moa or better) load next year, so if I keep one, or two, which brass might be similar to work with and best in your experience?

The brands I've got a few hundred of each are: Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Lake City, and mostly Federal, some PMC. I have a few Lapua, Nosler and others.

there is no “ long run” for the brass i use in gas guns! It just doesnt last long for me. It depends to when the brass was made. Some older brass is alot better than the new. I would shoot what I didnt want one last time and let it lay at the range. One last bit of enjoyment out of it. Thats the only way Id get rid of any gas gun brass. Im at the age where i try not to shoot autoloaders if i want to save the brass cause i dont want to bend down to pick it up.

 

[joshb]

This^^^^^^^! Having a few thousand of each brand and considering dumping some is one thing. Having a few Hundred? Save it!

 

[Jager]

I'm with hoz... recovering brass in a gas gun is a pain in the ass. And if you're fortunate enough to ever pick up an HK91/G3 with their fluted chamber, you'll be glad to have some throwaway brass.

I'd load all those cases one last time, knowing you're not going to worry about what happens to them.

As for which of your headstamps to keep... Lapua by a mile.

 

[hoz53]

I'm with hoz... recovering brass in a gas gun is a pain in the ass. And if you're fortunate enough to ever pick up an HK91/G3 with their fluted chamber, you'll be glad to have some throwaway brass.

I'd load all those cases one last time, knowing you're not going to worry about what happens to them.

As for which of your headstamps to keep... Lapua by a mile.

For Sure— Ive got a PTR and it not only flutes the brass it throws them a Long way!!
i dont spend much time looking for it. Lapua I agree but it doesnt sound like
he has much of it and i wont be subjecting my lapua brass to a gas gun inless
its ready 4scrap bin

 

[CharlieNC]

You do know there is a brass shortage, a few hundred of each is nothing. Keep all of it.

 

[TheCZKid]

All good input. I built the AR-10 in 308 just because I thought it sounded like a fun idea, and where I go shooting (outdoor cinder pits a few miles from town) I used to find a decent amount of once fired 308 brass on the ground. I like having calibers which is easy to get ammo or components for, in case the SHTF scenario... I'll just keep what I got.