WW brass quality?

[rockhound78]

Picked up some new 223 Brass, Winchester, in the blue/white bag. How good is the stuff or should I just relegate it to use in the AR15? I have Starline, LC and a little bit of Lapua for my bolt guns.

Thanks

 

[SecondsCount]

It's good brass. I have some that is about 10 years old that I fireformed for my 223AI. I don't do a lot of shooting on paper with that rifle but my final load shot a 0.25" 3-shot group and a 0.3" 5-shot group.

Lapua brass is a little more sturdier in my experience so don't run it too hot.

 

[DHD]

I have and use more Winchester 223 brass than any other. Mine is from the old white box ammo that was used by a large department. It takes many warm loadings, is consistent enough for me (accuracy minded AR15's), and was cheap as in free.

Do I prefer another brand, well sure. For my 223AI, I prefer Lapua but still have about 200 Winchester 223 fireformed and in rotation for specific loads. Can't say the Lapua shoots better but sure costs more.

 

[RegionRat]

If you have a bolt gun that shoots well, feed it good brass.
If you have an AR, they tend to be hard on the brass no matter what we feed them.
From there on, advice depends on your goals. Brass quality does matter and it matters regardless of bolt or AR.

Many of the domestic names we are familiar with have gone through mergers and acquisitions over the years. Some familiar names were nearly ruined and then revived. Others have taken turns with the management contract at Lake City. During those transitions, some have produced “good brass” and “bad” brass at the same time.

I don’t take any brand including Lapua for granted. Even they have sent out some batches that left me in a lurch. Caveat Emptor.

 

[jds holler]

If I'm shooting squirrels or just whatever, I'll use just about anything that isn't already cracked and will hold a bullet tightly. Much of that is Winchester.

If I'm trying to prove something to myself, or develop a load, I've got some stashes of Lapua, and other known new and once fired stuff that I am more careful with. Some of that is also Winchester.

I don't shoot competition, but if I did, I'd have Lapua with known history. jd

 

[searcher]

I have shot a lot of Winchester brass in my .223's and still have several thousand pieces (I buy them in bulk bags when available and on sale somewhere- usually around $23.00-$28.00 per hundred). I turn the necks on them and they perform very well, whether in an A/R or in a bolt gun. You won't get the life as with Lapua, Norma, etc., but, then again, they are half the price. In an A/R, they are as good as anything, as the required full-length sizing and .003" or so headspace ensures case stretch and shorter life - regardless of brand. Even Remington brass, which has taken a really bad rap over the years performs as well - just not as long. Seems the cheaper brass is - the shorter the life (in general), but even in my 7 MM Rem Magnum, I get a dozen loadings with Winchester. Can't really complain too much about that for the price. I'd take Lapua if cost were no object - but to me it is. I load several thousand rounds at a time for a varmint shoot and, at that price, I save the cost of a new barrel on each loading. I think the Norma brass is probably the best overall value for .223.

 

[vonb]

WW 5.56 brass I've used is tough and lasts a while. Winchester .223 brass labeled as such is not worth more than a couple firings before the primer pockets get loose. Like others have said, each brand and lot is each and unto its own. Winchester .308 brass on the other hand has been like the Energizer bunny. They keep going and going and going.

 

[rockhound78]

Thanks. Will play with it and see how it works