Norma bras vs Federal Brass

[ironworker378]

300 Winmag 195gr Sierra TMK in Norma brass was 74grs of N560 with zero pressure signs. I picked up some once-fired Federal brass, which weighs 20grs more. I wonder how much I should reduce the charge with the same bullet, powder, and primer.

 

[WeiserBucks]

You should chuck the Federal brass and stick to quality offerings.

 

[jfk69]

Yeah, I’d cash out the Federal brass at the recyclers. I understand Norma isn’t Laura/ADG/Peterson/Alpha. But at the end of the day it is my next brass up. It’s really good. My downside it’s a wee bit soft and may not hold up as long as under max loads after several reloadings (Primer pocket). With that said it’s really solid brass, and in a cost/benefit equation works out well to the premium brass.

 

[ironworker378]

Dang, so federal brass, is that Bad?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Dang, so federal brass, is that Bad?

Yes. Get Lapua, ADG or Peterson if at all possible.

 

[ironworker378]

I bought some Norma, and it's beautiful. Another(Non-Reloading) shooter was shooting federal stuff, so he gave me his brass. So I annealed it, sized and trimmed it, and seated five primers. They're not as tight as the Norma brass, but they haven't fallen out yet. I have no interest in wasting components; I'll trash them.

 

[TaperPin]

I have no idea how much to drop your charge - maybe a grain, maybe two.

Federal isn’t fancy, and there may be better choices, but I’ve had good luck with it. I can’t tell a difference in accuracy with better brass.

 

[ElDiablito]

I clicked thinking there might be Swedish boobs here…..

 

[Sinistram]

Oh, stop it, you guys! Nothing wrong with Federal brass; I load it in a few calibers and it's always been very accurate and consistent. Yes, it's a tad thicker than Norma (which I also load), so I'd back off at least to where you started your load development with the Norma. I've never been one to just subtract a grain or so when switching brands of cases.

Is it kind of a pain? Yes. Should you do it anyway? Absolutely.