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Brass Today
#7632815
10/15/19 02:14 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,235
wp75169
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OP
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I have been using Nosler and Lapua for a while. There are many manufacturers out there. Is Lapua still king? My vote goes to Nosler for consistency and Lapua for longevity. What about all the new guys on the block? Prime and Starline are new to me. Starline has always been my go to pistol brass but I have no idea how it compares in the rifle world.
This started with me building a new 7-08. I have hundreds of rounds of federal brass but I have no desire to use it in a precision rifle. I went to order the Nosler but Midway shows out of stock and no back order. Still available elsewhere though. Are they discontinuing their brass line? Lapua, while great brass, has less case capacity than most others. That has led me to using Nosler on SA and Lapua on LA cartridges.
Edit: to be clear I’m wondering what brass to buy. I tend to get off subject. I’m still thinking the Nosler but it’s the most expensive brass out there and only the highest places have it in stock.
Last edited by wp75169; 10/15/19 02:31 AM.
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7632834
10/15/19 02:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,079
Pig_Popper
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,079 |
Peterson brass - it’s GTG
This space is For Sale - inquire within ...
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7632846
10/15/19 03:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,639
DStroud
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Peterson and ADG are equal to Lapua and maybe better value as they both come with ammo carriers and are pristine when you receive them. I would put Nosler a step below these 3 as it’s not nearly as tough even though it can be consistent within that batch. Starline is very good brass but not as consistent as these top 3 but it is very durable. To me it’s similar to Hornady in consistency but seems to last longer. Winchester brass use to be decent but their QC is the worst I have seen and expect to have to throw away 5% of each bag.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634823
10/17/19 03:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,182
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,182 |
I've bought some Alpha brass but have yet to try it. Certainly looks quality.
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634922
10/17/19 12:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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I've been running adg/gunwerks 6 creed brass for a while now and its been stellar. Granted my particular load is only in the 50k psi range so its being pushed hard at all. That being said I run lapua in everything else besides 22 creed and it gets old hornady 6 creed brass at the moment.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634980
10/17/19 01:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,970
ChadTRG42
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Lapua is good. Some of their brass is really stiff though. The last a long time and work best after some firings and reloads.
Norma makes most of Nosler's brass, so almost all Nosler brass is same as Norma. I like the Norma brass. It is really good stuff. You get the most reloads out of Norma.
The most impressive brass I have seen is the ADG (Atlas) brass. This stuff is awesome. The weight tolerances are very tight from case to case to case. This is important to keep the internal case volume the same for consistent pressures and accuracy.
Starline is ok from what I've seen so far. I'm only loading it in the 260 Rem, and it's been good.
Hornady brass has had some high variations in their case weights. They are a lower cost than the others by a 1/2 to 1/3 less cost. So it's a good value brass.
Winchester has gone down hill pretty bad. Their best brass is the bulk brass bought in 1000+ count lots. They have less defects and case damage. The bagged brass is more beat up and necks dented up. If I get 100 pieces of bagged brass, I know I will lose about 1-4 pieces due to a damaged case that's not fit for being ammo.
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634987
10/17/19 01:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,970
ChadTRG42
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Also, what cartridge are you going to be loading for? 7-08?
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634989
10/17/19 01:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,071
Buzzsaw
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The Alpha is tough but I think you give up a tad of capacity, from what I've read. I am loving the Peterson. These are for my .22 Creed though. Hornady's shoulders are weak IMO. I'm no expert as I'm sure Judd will point out soon.
7mm-08 is such a great round, hard to mess up. I dont think any will handicap your '08
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7634996
10/17/19 01:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,580
redchevy
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I bought Lapua for my 7mm08... it was free on cabelas points Have had good luck with Winchester Norma/wby and Hornady as well, but the Winchester is 20+ years old that I bought when I first started loading.
Last edited by redchevy; 10/17/19 01:40 PM.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#7635026
10/17/19 02:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,235
wp75169
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Also, what cartridge are you going to be loading for? 7-08? Yes 7-08, again. ADG does not offer brass for it and I don’t want to start having neck up or down. I’m wanting to stay away from the lower capacity brass like Lapua for this rifle. It was great for the 6.5x55 where I had plenty of case volume but I don’t want to lose any here. I think I’m down to the Norma/Nosler or Petersons. Do you have any idea which one of those has the most case capacity.
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7635057
10/17/19 02:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,970
ChadTRG42
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Case capacity wise, I don't know on the 7-08. Winchester will give you the most internal case volume, for sure. If that's your goal, I would run that. Buy 200 pieces and sort them by weight and quality and you'll be fine. Longevity wise, your Lapua or Norma/Nosler options would work fine. I also wanted to Ricky Bobby my 308 pushing the 180 Berger's 2702 fps in my 24", so I went with Winchester brass for the most case capacity. It works fine with good speed. And it shot really well, about 1/2 moa, which was fine for my PBR (parts build rifle).
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7635128
10/17/19 03:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,235
wp75169
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I think I’ll give the Norma a try. I don’t want to deal with Winchester. If I was going to do that I’d use the Federal I already have a few hundred of.
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: wp75169]
#7635168
10/17/19 04:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,298
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
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Whatever you do don't listen to Buzz....otherwise, I think you're on the right track I wasn't going to reply as your question has been answered but didn't want to disappoint Buzz.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Brass Today
[Re: Judd]
#7635924
10/18/19 02:25 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,071
Buzzsaw
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Whatever you do don't listen to Buzz....otherwise, I think you're on the right track I wasn't going to reply as your question has been answered but didn't want to disappoint Buzz.
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