New vs fired brass for hunting

[TradLife406]

Zeroed out the kids rifle today. Used fired brass that had one or two firings. Set zero angle and all that stuff. Used the large sample size method.
Just loaded up some more of the same stuff using new brass.

Is there a noticeable difference between new and old brass? Like in speed or group size? In large sample size?

Would she be fine to hunt with the new brass ammo? I'm guessing yes. But my mom took Tylenol when she was pregnant with me... but only when she was hung over...

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I use only fireformed brass from MY rifle for all my hunting loads. All chambers for a caliber are not the same, they differ in size because of machining tolerances.

 

[ckleeves]

The virgin brass load is probably gonna be a few fps slower than being in once/twice fired. Worth a quick zero check and a few over the chrony to determine how much. Might be completely insignificant, might be 50+ fps.

 

[Shortschaf]

You sre fine. I have never noticed a change in zero with virgin brass or any amount of firings for that matter. Speed will also be close enough if not exactly the same.

 

[SDHNTR]

You will never know until you try, but any change should be minimal.

 

[zimagold]

Two general concerns with new brass

1. If you are loading hot, the new brass will have slightly less volume leading to higher chamber pressures, I avoid loading hot in general.

2. Consistency will not be as good. Generally higher velocity variation and reduced precision on target. Amount varies based on specifics.

I wouldn't worry much on a <200yd hunting setup. Absolutely a concern at 600yds. I would test if you are concerned, but I've seen bigger problems from changing brass or powder lots than unfired vs fired brass.

 

[Chris in TN]

The virgin brass load is probably gonna be a few fps slower than being in once/twice fired. Worth a quick zero check and a few over the chrony to determine how much. Might be completely insignificant, might be 50+ fps.

Yep. Depending on chamber dimensions that can't really be predicted, you could have nearly -0- difference between new and 1x brass speeds, or have 50FPS difference.

Between 1x and 2x-3x fired brass, probably no difference.

I have shot critters with new brass, but only when I had zeroed and practiced with that same lot of new brass. I would absolutely not zero a rifle with one lot of fired brass then load up the same ammo and go hunting without checking zero and velocity. Like what was said a few posts up, probably not an issue at 200, definitely an issue at 600.

FWIW, as a n=1 anecdote, working up a new load for my kids' 6.5cm this summer, with new Peterson brass I ended up at 42.3 grains of powder to hit 2610' MV and then with the 1x fired brass it only took 42.0 to make an average of something like 2613'. I forget the exact number. But it was very close to a 1% reduction in charge to make the same speed with 1x fired, versus new. YMMV.

ETA: I'd much rather go hunting with older brass than to throw in a lot of new brass I hadn't tested yet.

I shot a cow elk (actually, dad and I shot two of them with my rifle) several years ago with some Nosler .280R brass I'd fireformed in my .280ai. I think that brass had 10-11 shots on it with at least two annealings at the time.

 

[waspocrew]

I'd probably just send it Generally, I try to keep it consistent if possible (only new or used).

 

[Lawnboi]

Good reloader can keep the brass acting the same from 1-2 times fired through the life of the barrel/brass.

That said it’s a while card what happens between virgin and once fired, and depending on the chamber and brass, firing two.

I try to keep firings all the same for precision guns. I will mix fired brass on volume guns after the first few firings depending how it’s growing.

If your talking sub 300 yards, likely you will be fine if your reloading ability is decent. If you plan to shoot farther I’d go double check, atleast I would just to be confident.

 

[wapitibob]

I will never use virgin brass for anything anymore, but, I shoot an STW which is a belted case and it grows .020" from virgin to 3rd firing.
Next barrel is a 7PRC and if that Lapua brass grows .005 or more I will fire form it also.

 

[wyosam]

Fire formed. For some hunts with a high likelihood of loosing brass (like moose where it’s probably getting ejected into a swamp), I like to use the oldest brass I’ve got for the gun. Or better yet, stuff the primer pockets are getting loose. Glue em in.


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[A382DWDZQ]

I would try and hunt with a batch that you’ve zeroed. You don’t want to be out there thinking about whether it’s ok or not. With virgin brass especially. I had a Tikka that wouldn’t chamber the Nosler premium brass that was supposed to be ready to load. Found out when I took it to the range. Didn’t have anything else to shoot. Now I check. I’d hate to have that happen on a hunt.