Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

[bronco_buster]

I recently picked up a couple of precision rifles, and I'm starting to look toward reloading both for accuracy and personal satisfaction. My question, since I've never reloaded a round of ammo in my life...is basically what component recommendations do you all have? I know that you start with reading a few manuals...so that's not the advice I'm looking for...what I want to know, is what brass would make a good base for a plinker looking to upgrade and participate in some club matches.

I see "once fired" military brass for sale all over the place, and while I do have a bunch of military 7.62 rifles that I wouldn't be opposed to reloading for, I also have 3K rounds of NATO Berdan surplus that I'm nowhere near touching yet...so reloading a bunch of ammo for those rifles right now doesn't make any sense; except maybe as a learning experience.

What I'd like to know, is which scenario sounds like the best way to enter into reloading:

1) Shoot commercial ammo -- reload from there. Recommendations for brands that are known to produce quality reloads?

2) Buy "once fired" range brass -- idea being to learn to reload on something cheap and abundant? Can I expect to achieve accurate loads on say range pickup milsurp Lake City brass?

3) Buy virgin quality brass -- remember I'll be on the learning curve...

Thanks in advance!

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

Buy 1-2 boxes of Cor-Bon 308 ammo, which is loaded in Lapua brass, to fire for control base line for your reloads, plus 100 new Lapua cases. And have fun.

Bob

 

[Leaddog]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

Buy Lapua Brass and don't worry about brass again.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

You can load something Lapua virgin straight from the box, and the brass is as good as it gets.

 

[clinto]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

Lapua gets my vote

 

[bronco_buster]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

I searched the usual haunts today...no lapua brass, no corbon. I found Federal Gold Match for $15 a box, so I bought all 500 rounds that they had...will this brass reload well?

 

[Jeffvn]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

In my opinon it will not reload well. I used it when I started reloading for my .308, and got maybe 4 or 5 reloads from it before it showed signs of case head separataion. I was not using a hot load or working the brass too much (bumping the shoulder 0.001 per sizing with a neck bushing), its just that the brass is darn soft.

I would use what you got, but think of swaping it out whloesale when you get the chance to either Lapua or Winchester. Both me and my brother who also shot .308 for an extended time, used Lapua and Winchester brass. You need to do somw prep with the Whiny brass, but its gtg after you get done. The lapua is gtg from the box, but has less capacity and costs 2X the price of the winny.

If you shoot in tactical comps where you're going to loose brass, the whiny is less stressing on thw wallet than leaving Lapua in the high grass.

JeffVN

 

[desertHK]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

If your budget permits, Lapua brass would win my vote. After that, Winny brass are also GTG. With respect to mil. surp. brass, they are GTG provided that you can spend a little more time prepping them, including removing the crimp. I use them for you gas gun. It can take a lot more abuse than Win brass and are not as expensive as Lapua.

 

[sst04]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

I use winchester, have loaded some of it 8 times now.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

Midway has Lapua brass for .308 on sale and in stock: $63.89 per 100 (damn good price).

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=1270187523

 

[Notso]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

As others have said- Lapua first and then Win. For a plinker and just getting started, I would personally go with WIN. It reloads great and it's cheap to buy either virgin or just buy Win white box stuff at Walmart. You can buy virgin WIN at bass pro for half the cost of Lapua and its been just as accurate as my Lapua. I use it for all my training loads and save the Lapua for 1k and matches. But I've shot some of my best scores in a match using Win brass.

Be aware though, there is a distinct difference in case volume - so if you get loads out of books or off the internet, make sure you know what brass it's for. And obviously work up any loads.

I've also loaded Federal and FGMM brass and I didn't like it.

 

[MALLARD]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

1) eh , na

2) no unless its for a cheap gun. Once fired stuff is nasty , not good for accuracy.

3) sounds good ,but not lapua simply because your not at that stage in your loading. I would wait. Get some cheaper brass , do an ocw/ladder test, seating depth test , do that frist , then buy lapua.

i would get rem virgin brass

i dont like federal or win brass myself, i would say get rem.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bronco_buster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1) Shoot commercial ammo -- reload from there.

2) Buy "once fired" range brass -- idea being to learn to reload on something cheap and abundant? Can I expect to achieve accurate loads on say range pickup milsurp Lake City brass?

3) Buy virgin quality brass -- remember I'll be on the learning curve...
</div></div>

1) I have had good luck with boxes from Hornady, Federal (softish) and Black Hills both red box and blue box.

2) I pick up 223 cases and reload the ones with LC markings. They take some work to make them perform, but you can't beat the cost ($0.00).

3) Lapua and Win work well.

 

[Dionis]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Leaddog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy Lapua Brass and don't worry about brass again. </div></div>
+1 Lapua is excellent brass ,worth every penny!

 

[eleaf]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MALLARD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1)Get some cheaper brass , do an ocw/ladder test, seating depth test , do that frist , then buy lapua.
</div></div>

This route is pointless. If you use "X" brass in your OCW/ladder test, you will have to scratch all of that info when you switch to the Lapua. Everything will be different.

What's the point of working up a load for components you don't want to use? Once you change a component, you have to start over.

 

[vman]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

If you can get Lapua get Lapua... if your loading for .308 only you will actually save money buying lapua brass because you wont need to invest in brass prep tools. All you will need is a case trimmer, but all cases need these... but lapua brass comes under 2.015 anyway so you only need to trim after a few firings.

If lapua brass is not available i would chose Winchester or Norma brass.

Federal brass IMO is only good for a few firings, so hunting loads, annealing practice, cut aways etc.

 

[littlerascal56]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

Powder Valley has Lapua for $58.44/100 pcs.

Since you are just starting out...I recommend new or once fired Winchester brass. I use it a lot, and just bought 500 pcs of Remington once fired (.12 each). Sure it takes time to debur, chamfer, etc but you learn a lot in the process.

I would not recommend LC or any Military brass (crimped primer pockets) and stick with commerical stuff. Federal brass is pretty soft and I avoid it also.

 

[MALLARD]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308


This route is pointless. If you use "X" brass in your OCW/ladder test, you will have to scratch all of that info when you switch to the Lapua. Everything will be different.




What's the point of working up a load for components you don't want to use? Once you change a component, you have to start over.[/quote]

i do agree he will have to re-do his tests, but thats a good thing, He needs to learn , no point using the best stuff out there when he has never done this before. I think there is a good chance he will ruin his lapua brass befor he figures out what he's doing, but maybe your right.

 

[8up]

Re: Brass Recommendations for New Reloader...308

If your getting into reloading, pick your brass and stay with that brand. All the time and effort you place into doing all the development will go out the window once you switch to another brand. Plus, you will want a brand that will last many loadings. As what everyone has said already, get a quality brand like Lapua. If not, then try to locate some LC LR once fired brass, good stuff and will last. Winchester after that. I'm not a big fan of Winchester, but will do a good job.