Brand of Brass for the normal guy

[Kimber7man]

Norma SRP brass primer pockets are manufactured to a different specification than SAAMI. If you aren't uniforming primer pockets and measuring primer seating depth, go for it. Otherwise, avoid it.
Norma LRP is just fine.

Is that for their .223 brass? Got a bunch of the Norma Golden Target Match 223 ammo and was planning on reloading with that brass.

 

[fraz01]

There has been cheap Norma, sig, and ADI factory ammo out there for some time. The brass from all seems more than adequate to me.

This is a great option, get free components to fire form brass and get some trigger time. Sig would be my first choice, but have used Norma and ADI with good results.

 

[Ganderzone]

The premium brass will also handle hotter loads for an additional firing or two before the primer pockets loosen up. It all depends on what you are trying to do. If you are shooting moderate loads use whatever and do consistent prep work. If you are trying to push velocity or get 5+ loads from the brass than jump for the premium brass. I'll agree with the previous comments on starline, if they make your caliber it's a great middle of the road option.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Folks actually buy brass...I just go to range and pick up what I need when I need it. Even I chuck the Winchester brass when I pick it up.

 

[wilsoN_]

I run Starline for my 357 mag, 460 mag, 300 BLK, Lake City for 5.56, Hornady for 6.5cm just bc I have so much of it, ADG for the 7 SAUM.

 

[Dobeman887]

Starline is usually my first choice, but depending on the cartridge, particularly practice rounds I will use anything that is usable. I have never purchased top shelf brass, so I have no experience with it. I have had primers "fall out" of certain pieces of brass before- these days I don't really mess with the primer pockets at all after cleaning with my Frankfort Rotary tumbler with whatever cleaning solution they sell.

 

[Cleidig]

Hornady has been good to me.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I have had pretty good luck with getting good groups most brass brands. I do sort by weight, number of loadings etc. each brand. I have found the big difference is how long they last., although some brands are more consistent and I prefer those.

 

[Sinistram]

I've never invested in super premium brass, so all mine is what I suppose you'd call "regular". I can't say I've noticed a difference brand to brand between Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Norma, Federal, etc. I don't do any special prep or sorting and just process as normal. I've had good life and excellent accuracy with everything.

At the end of the day, brass is a consumable item. One or two more firings for 50% more money simply isn't worth it for me.

 

[Mtns2hunt]

Opinions seem divided. I guess I fall in the regular category. I use Winchester brass, Federal and some RP brass but stay away from the premium brass. All my rifles are sub moa. As such my knowledge of the premium brass is limited.

However, if I can obtain the desired results from regular brass that's the way I go. It's cheaper and allows more trigger time. Accuracy seems to depend on case prep more than anything. I even purchase once fired winchester and Lake city brass. The only brass I would not recommend is PPU. I fire form for my 22 k hornet and close to 90% split necks. Winchester works great.

No need to over think brass. As stated many are getting great results using most anything.

 

[rking453]

It's really hard to beat Starline for the price. I order straight from their website. The quality is not quite as good as ADG, Lapua etc, but I have found it to be better than Remington, Hornady, and new Winchester brass.

 

[TheCoyote]

What you are buying in consistency. I have Winchester brass that shoots great groups and ADG that shoots great groups.
Winchester has a lot more prep and more inconsistencies. They stretch more.
ADG are almost all perfect and beautiful.

In the end, it depends on what your goals are as a shooter and as a consumer. Do you want the most accurate money can buy or the least amount of expense to get the job done?

I’ve spent thousands to shoot .5 moa groups constantly. But I’ve never shot a game animal past 300 yards. I’d be way ahead financially shooting grandpa’s .270 with factory ammo.

 

[JGRaider]

Over the past 30 years, I've never had a problem with Norma, Hornady, or Nosler brass. Even Remington and occasionally Winchester served the purpose in my 7mag waaay back there.

 

[49ereric]

Depends on your hunting distance if you ask me. I hunt woods so any brass mixed or not does the job well. Once fired is a cost effective option just depends on the thickness of your wallet.

 

[Bcool208]

Depends on your use case, but if you want good, consistent brass that you plan on loading multiple times spend the little extra and buy ADG, Alpha, Lapua, or Petersen, about in that order if you ask me

 

[idig4au]

Norma and a bit of Nosler (when I couldn't find Norma).

Haven't been able to justfy jumping up to ADG or Laupua in the calibers where they have brass options. If its not broken, don't see reason to fix it. Just not sure what I would gain.

 

[Speedy7722]

I have been pretty happy with starline LRP 6 creed brass, SIG 22-250 brass, and LC 223 sorted by headstamp.

 

[Sandhills]

Using remington, winchester, federal brass for my reloading after shooting factory loads. Get 10+ reloads and never clean or trim it. Oil it for reloading and wipe the oil off w rag, that kinda cleans it some.

Loading 2900 fps pretty much, not pushing anything hard w 30-06 or 243. Shoots better than I can. I measure the brass and it stays the same length, pretty interesting when reading about how folks trim their stuff all the time.

Hornady brass is softer and loses velocity w same load as the above brass...

How do you get away with out trimming? Every piece of brass for a bottlenecked cartridge I run through the sizer needs trimmed according to the calipers

 

[Rich M]

How do you get away with out trimming? Every piece of brass for a bottlenecked cartridge I run through the sizer needs trimmed according to the calipers

I couldn't tell you - No idea why it isn't stretching. Size full case.

Do have trimming equipment. Used it once to test it.

30-06 150 at 2900 fps.
243 100s at 2850-3050 fps.
350 L 165 at 2350 fps.

 

[UPThunderbolt]

Over the past 30 years, I've never had a problem with Norma, Hornady, or Nosler brass. Even Remington and occasionally Winchester served the purpose in my 7mag waaay back there.

My most recent box of Nosler .300 wm was a real disappointment. All 50 cases were covered with a sticky film that three hours of tumbling did not completely remove. Many of the cases were dented, several with dented necks. The necks of nearly all of them were ragged and needed to be deburred. One of the brass had a split neck and another had a blemish in the primer pocket that rendered it unusable. These are advertised as “premium, ready to load.” I’ve purchased Nosler before that were just fine. This lot was not. I sent a note to the company and did not receive any response. Next time, Nosler will not be my choice.