let's talk brass

[Oh Mah]

I am wanting to know what brass is the brass of choice for hunters and long range shooting.If you don't mind give reason for it.

I VOTED WINCHESTER WHICH IS NOT TRUE(I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS BETTER YET) I JUST WANT TO SEE POLL.

Norma

Lapua

Winchester

Remington

Hornady

Other

[biggfish]

I started with Remington because I was told they have good case volume and the factory loads were priced right to use as reloads. I've switched to hornady for factory loads and use there brass as I like the results I'm getting from factory loads. I'm also trying to replicate or improve the result I'm getting from there rounds.

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[Magnum_Willys]

Lapua.  The reason its popular is its a little thicker/stronger you can push it harder or reload it more, primer holes drilled not punched, necks more uniform. 
But of course its not available for all calibers - but there are many that will only use calibers that Lapua brass is available for.

[Oh Mah]

Thanks for the replies so far.How well does the thicker Lapua brass resize?Amy issues since it's thicker with powder volume?

[b23]

but there are many that will only use calibers that Lapua brass is available for.

I fall into that category.  Everything I have, from .20 cal up to .338 cal, uses a parent case manufactured by Lapua with the exception of my 7mm Blaser Mag which has brass made by Norma.

Lapua is very uniform in just about every way and requires little to no prep work.  As was already stated, it's some of the most durable brass on the market and holds primer pockets like no other that I've ever used.

I've never had a problem running Lapua brass through a sizing die, whether it be FL or neck sizing only.

[Oh Mah]

I have heard that Lapua has quite the following,They just don't make the brass for the .300 win mag.

[b23]

If you are looking for top shelf 300 Win mag brass I'd take a look at ADG Brass company, they make really good brass. http://atlasdg.com/product-category/brass-cartridge-cases/

There's a couple brass companies out there that many aren't aware even exist, that are making top level brass, ADG is one and AlphaMunitions is another. 

[Oh Mah]

never heard of it,thanks.I am looking at it now,Is this new or reclaimed brass?

[jasnt]

RWS makes the best 300wm imo Norma close second. I voted Lapua for reasons already covered above.

[b23]

never heard of it,thanks.I am looking at it now,Is this new or reclaimed brass?

No, it's all new brass.  Defensive Edge Rifles has been using this stuff in their 338 Terminator (their version of 338 Lapua Improved) and 338 Edge.  Shawn told me it has been very good brass and would put it right there with Lapua.

I've been told Peterson is making some pretty good brass now as well.

I think Norma makes very nice brass as well, it's just not quite as durable or tough as Lapua.

[Karl Blanchard]

Lapua for all the reasons stated above.  I run norma in my 300wsm though and it's been amazing stuff as well. 

I've recently been playing with some adg brass and so far I have been pleased. Is very uniform and tolerances are tight. It is nice to have a quality option out there for the same price as a lot of the garbage brass that is produced.

[milldozer]

Where does Nosler rank in this conversation?  Anyone have opinions of quality of Lapua vs Nosler?

[Karl Blanchard]

Where does Nosler rank in this conversation?  Anyone have opinions of quality of Lapua vs Nosler?

I put nosler down with winchester and Hornady personally.  Have not been impressed in the slightest bit with the stuff I've used.

[milldozer]

Good to know.  I've used Nosler for a while but have been thinking about branching out.  I'll have to give Lapua a try.

[JimmyHoffa]

Norma seems to work fine for me.  Definitely notice the quality difference above Winchester or Remington (dents, blemishes, burrs).

[h20hunter]

I use nosler in my 7mm and have used mainly hornady for 308 and a few other calibers.

[Timberstalker]

I’ve had excellent luck with Nosler brass in my 28. Little to no stretching and the primer pockets are TIT tight.

[b23]

Where does Nosler rank in this conversation?  Anyone have opinions of quality of Lapua vs Nosler?

A lot, if not most, of Noslers brass is made by Norma.  Nosler now has their own brass manufacturing plant so they're making some of their own brass but I kinda think it's, maybe, mostly for their proprietary cartridges.

I've used a little bit of the Nosler Custom brass that comes in the box, it's really nice brass and is VERY uniform, but it tends to be a little on the soft side and it won't take a lot of abuse.

[92xj]

I’ve had excellent luck with Nosler brass in my 28. Little to no stretching and the primer pockets are TIT tight.

21 year old on spring break or 50 year old freshly divorced with bolt on tight?

[Timberstalker]

Lmao!!!

[Oh Mah]

Just ordered some ADG in .300 win mag,Thanks for the replies on them.They really like their ultra mag brass 

[Bill W]

I once weighed and measured 200 rounds of Lapua looking for 100 good rounds.  What I found out is 188 of the cases weighed +/- 0.6 grains with the outliers adding another .8 grains to the spread.  All cases weighed within 2.0 grains of each other.  Neck thickness was .001 out of round.   That's at the noise level.  I shot all 200 and didn't worry about the sequencing of case weight.

[BULLBLASTER]

Winchester used to be good but lately has just been garbage in a bag.

Lapua is top notch

Nosler has been decent in my 300 win but can’t be pushed overly hard it seems.

I’ve been playing with 50 pieces of adg in 300 win also and am not sure I’m real impressed. It’s heavy so probably strong but new out of the box (neck sized after chamfer and deburr) it is very inconsistent in the force it takes to seat a bullet. Also can’t seem to get the same velocity before showing pressure as other brands. Not that the adg is bad... just isn’t anything special imo.

[jasnt]

Where does Nosler rank in this conversation?  Anyone have opinions of quality of Lapua vs Nosler?

I put nosler down with winchester and Hornady personally.  Have not been impressed in the slightest bit with the stuff I've used.

agreed 100%. My personal Prejudice aside is not worth the $$

[CaNINE]

I've use Nosler brass for most of my loading without any complaints.  I use Lapua in my 223, 308 and 6.5CM - the weight spread for 100 piece lot is within 1.0 grain.  Since Lapua is now making brass for the 338 Norma Magnum I think I have my next build figured out.

[Magnum_Willys]

I've use Nosler brass for most of my loading without any complaints.  I use Lapua in my 223, 308 and 6.5CM - the weight spread for 100 piece lot is within 1.0 grain.  Since Lapua is now making brass for the 338 Norma Magnum I think I have my next build figured out.

 Yea my smith was suggesting that to me - kinda thinking I should of listened, might be my next rebarrel.   He's getting 2860 with 300 grainers and 1/3 moa with his.  Of course the 300 Norma would be nice too. 

[Oh Mah]

As popular as the .300 win mag is i wonder why Lapua quit making brass for it.

[jasnt]

As popular as the .300 win mag is i wonder why Lapua quit making brass for it.

they never made it from what I understand Norma made it for them

[Magnum_Willys]

As popular as the .300 win mag is i wonder why Lapua quit making brass for it.

Ino probably dumb question haven't looked but do they make any belted cartridges ?

[jasnt]

As popular as the .300 win mag is i wonder why Lapua quit making brass for it.

Ino probably dumb question haven't looked but do they make any belted cartridges ?

i think your correct.

[BULLBLASTER]

I don’t think they make any mag bolt face brass sizes but not positive.

[Oh Mah]

I'll go along with that.

http://www.lapua.com/en/reloading-components/cases.html

[b23]

As popular as the .300 win mag is i wonder why Lapua quit making brass for it.

Ino probably dumb question haven't looked but do they make any belted cartridges ?

As was already mentioned, the small amount of 300 win mag brass that is out there with Lapua headstamp was actually made by Norma for Lapua.

Belted or not, Lapua doesn't make any brass with a .535 mag bolt face and unfortunately, it doesn't appear they're in any hurry to do so.

[Oh Mah]

With all the replies on Norma i went ahead and ordered a hundred from Brownells so now ill try both and see the diff.

[yorketransport]

I tend to use whatever's readily available. Lapua for the 6.5x47 Lapua, 6mm BR and 284 (6.5x284 necked up), Norma 404 Jeffery (375 BME), Nosler 338 RUM (6.5 Badger), Hornady for most of the 375 Ruger variants but slowly switching over to RWS (8x68s), Winchester for 243 and 45 ACP, Starline for Lever guns and revolvers, Remington for the RUMs and Bertram for the 338/408 Cheytac.

The Norma 404 brass seems to be indestructible in the 375 BME but I didn't have very good luck with it for the 284 Win. I've had good luck with the Rem brass in the Ultra Mags but bad luck with Rem in the 243 and 22-250. Hornady brass has been adequate for everything I've used it in and I'm fine with using it when I can find it.

[Jpmiller]

So of I reload more out of cheapness and convenience than to be a really accurate long range guy would I see a difference using different brass? I shoot for hunting accuracy so if I'm seeing groups within three or four inches at 200 yards I'm content with it. For a guy like me is different brass going to mean anything?

[Oh Mah]

Only in the life of the brass.Good brass will likely last longer but then again that would depend on what you are shooting.Most of this is preference and accuracy.If you get what you want out of what you're using and are content then stick with it.  I want the best i can get out of each load,I can harvest game ethically without that,I just want tight groups as consistent as i can make it...Preference 

[jasnt]

So of I reload more out of cheapness and convenience than to be a really accurate long range guy would I see a difference using different brass? I shoot for hunting accuracy so if I'm seeing groups within three or four inches at 200 yards I'm content with it. For a guy like me is different brass going to mean anything?

in my opinion it’s cheaper in the long run to buy quality brass due to how many times you can reload it. But if you only shoot <100 rounds a year it takes a while to pay for its self.

[Jpmiller]

Cool, I like following along these threads and while most of the stuff is over my head I like to try and pick up what I can that will help me out. I'm probably around a hundred rounds a year and I've probably got more than that reloaded already so I'll stick with what I have then. Thanks for the clarification and reassurance!

[hunting4sanity]

If you shoot volume, the Lapua brass becomes some of the best value (cheapest) out there because of its long life. I've had some issues with Remington and Hornady having some short lifespans. Lapua brass fits in the category of "buy once - cry once."

[Magnum_Willys]

If you shoot volume, the Lapua brass becomes some of the best value (cheapest) out there because of its long life. I've had some issues with Remington and Hornady having some short lifespans. Lapua brass fits in the category of "buy once - cry once."

   You gotta resist the urge to push Lapua to its higher limits.... 

[hogslayer]

I recently picked up some ADG 338 Edge brass and it’s very consistent.  As in .0015 runout and 1 grain weight variance.  I did run it up to pressure with 300 grain bergers and brass is on its 4th firing and pockets are strong.  If they made 28 Nosler and 7 saum I would switch everything.