Best quality brass??

Donut Slayer · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: Best quality brass??

I'm going to try some of the more expensive brass to see if I can get better consistancy from my loaded rounds. I load for 30'06, 270Win, 223 rem, 30-30 and several handgun calibers. But to keep things simple, I'm limiting this to the good 'ol 30'06. Which brass would you consider better? Nosler custom, Lapua, or Norma? They are priced about the same. Thanks, DS.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 4:50 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

I have only recently tried Nosler brass in my 22/250. This is the first "premium" brass I have ever used and initial results are favorable, but not exceptional. I haven't shot enough of it to be able to mark a definite trend and may not be able to see much difference since my rifle is quite accurate to begin with. I just thought I would eliminate one more variable and see if there was a difference.

RePete · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 5:54 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

I said Lapua because the isn't multi choice.

Norma is excellent too.

Vince · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Of the three listed, I've only used Norma, and I certainly have no complaints.

I think you won't see very much, if any, difference between the premium brasses as they will all strive to produce the best brass they can for the price.

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

What kind of accuracy are you looking for?

I'm getting 1 5/8" three shot groups at 200 yards with my A-bolt using Winchester and Remington brass.

pete4d · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

knock , on wood but I've had good luck on the number of reloads with the Remington brass .

slimjim · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

DSlayer, better brass won't do you any good if your dies don't load concentric rounds. This is one of the biggest issues I've seen when people are looking for better accuracy. I had to go to Redding S-Type dies and competition bullet seaters to get the same accuracy I was getting with my $20 Lee Classic Die. I tried several standard dies but it turned out they would not produce a concentric round. The easy way to check concentricity is to roll you loaded rounds on a flat surface like a counter top and look for any descernable wobble in the bullet tip.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

I voted Norma brass, no problems using it in the 340 wby.

Donut Slayer · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Slim, your saying Lee dies are just as good as reddings? I'm not having any problems. I use Lee dies with remington brass. I was just checking with other reloaders to see if I was missing out on anything special.

Donut Slayer · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Here is a 300 yard target. That is a nickle, for comparison. I guess its the OCD coming out why I'm looking for perfection.

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

I am cheap, I always used once fired, except for some remington cases I get (they are on special) for my 45-70.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Accuracy is a very subjective thing. What one might consider great accuracy in a 30-06 used for deer and such would be cause for severe hair-pulling and teeth gnashing for a varmint rifle intended for gophers. And then there is the benchrest crowd...

slimjim · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:03 am Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

DSlayer, by the looks of your 300 yard target, your rounds are concentric.

You many already know this, but you will have to do another load development with the new brass you get. Every manufactures brass has different volumes and expansion characteristics. With the same charge they will shoot a different size grouping and often different POI. I can remember when I first started reloading my .270 Win. My 100 yard grouping was 1.5 inches. When I shot at 250 yards I had a 4-inch wide pattern but one 4-shot cluster of an inch than 3-shot, 2-inch cluster. In my pile of empties, I had 4 Remington cases and 3 Winchester. That's when the light bulb came on.

Vince · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Slim wrote:

You many already know this, but you will have to do another load development with the new brass you get.

Funny you should mention that right now mate. I did some load development/ grouping practice yesterday with my .243 and find that I have some unexplained odd sized groups. Looking at the brass I find that I used a mix of WW Super, Winchester and Remington headstamps. Same with my 30.30 but add an oddball headstamps of nny (a Czech manufacturer).

When I switched over to using my handloads assembled with Remington brass, Remington primers and 87gr Hornady projectiles I consistently hit a steel plate at 500 metres. The RAM on the rifle sillouette range was nicely peppered.

As an aside, I was pleasantly surprised at just how flat the .243 actually shoots.

dhc4ever · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Best quality brass??

Donut, OCD INDEED, that group is under 3 inchs at 300 yards.
I have some Lapua in .308 with the std large rifle primer that I've been waiting to use once the fedral brass in current use starts to need replacement.
Seems I need to shoot more often. It looks pretty nice in the box Wink