High End Brass for Hunting Hand Loads

[Desert Dan]

For you guys that hand load for hunting rounds for medium-range shots (up to about 500 yards) as opposed to long range precision shooting - do you find it's necessary or even especially beneficial to buy high end brass like Lapua or ADG rather than less expensive brass like Hornady? I'm about to start working on a load for my 6.5 PRC and I have some once and twice fired Hornady in perfectly good shape but since I'm kind of starting new with this rifle and a couple new bullets I was considering picking up some brand new high quality brass as well. I also know it's easy to get carried away with buying high end everything when it's really not required for a given application. Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[Dcaccia]

In my limited experience, pay for the quality brass. You can spend countless hours sorting, neck turning, trimming, lesser quality cases. I highly recommend ADG after running it. Reloading is a constant “what if” do yourself a favor and don’t let yourself worry about one more variable, by starting with reputable brass.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

If it was me I would buy new brass and I would buy ADG if they had my cartridge. If you can get two extra firings out of them over lesser quality brass then it is worth it. Plus the ammunition is the most important aspect of a firearm. Why skimp?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Good brass, period.

 

[carter33]

I am currently working with ADG brass on a 6.5PRC and the neck tension is really high and causing the bullet seating stem to leave a marking ring/indent on my Berger 156 eols. Not a big deal but I either have to resize the brass or go the route I opted for and buy a expanding/turning mandrel to open the neck up a bit. This should also make my neck tension more consistent in virgin brass anyways though so not too upset.

 

[Desert Dan]

Okay thanks guys. I appreciate it. ADG just got their 6.5 PRC brass back in stock so I guess I'll order some.

I am currently working with ADG brass on a 6.5PRC and the neck tension is really high and causing the bullet seating stem to leave a marking ring/indent on my Berger 156 eols. Not a big deal but I either have to resize the brass or go the route I opted for and buy a expanding/turning mandrel to open the neck up a bit. This should also make my neck tension more consistent in virgin brass anyways though so not too upset.

I have a Sinclair expander die and a mandrel for both my .243 and 6.5 on the way for that exact reason.

 

[16Bore]

Laupua. If you’re gonna load, load...

 

[MuleyFever]

Is there a better option for 280ai other than Nosler?

 

[16Bore]

Can’t you neck down Lapua ‘06?

 

[MuleyFever]

I have no idea, I just got into this. I know I dont want to fireform.

 

[16Bore]

Every first firing is a fireform. Before Nosler made it, that was the only way you’d get anything AI.

 

[MuleyFever]

I dont think developing a load on parent cases as you fireform is as productive as starting with the correct brass.

 

[Rob5589]

I'll be the oddball. I don't, even for my past match guns. Winchester, Remington, Nosler, is all I used. Using Norma currently. Didn't weigh them or sort them in any way. I did fully prep them and was meticulous in my loading. All shot as tight as I could.

 

[Newtosavage]

I used to buy Lapua for everything, and I still shoot Lapua brass in my Grendel, but Star Line brass has proven to be as good as Lapua in my experience, at about 1/2 the cost.

 

[Wapiti1]

I'll say it too. No you don't need to spend extra for the high end brass. The number of shooters that can realize the difference is small. Shoot more and practice more. That will benefit you more, IMO.

Jeremy

 

[NBK1]

Peterson 280 Ackley just started shipping last week. It's available at Graf & Son.

 

[mvrk28]

Peterson 280 Ackley just started shipping last week. It's available at Graf & Son.

Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Trickshooter44]

I think BR shooters will gain something with the higher end brass but for LR shooting...practice and get comfortable reading conditions.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’ve used all types of brass. I haven’t found that it makes much difference. I don’t waste my time weight sorting brass either.

 

[Trigger06]

Is there a better option for 280ai other than Nosler?

Peterson now makes 280 Ackley brass. Available at Grafs. I just ordered 100 yesterday.


Ha! Guess I should read down to the bottom before I reply!