I have some 308 lapua brass. It is some is new, some is once fired in my gun. Can I just buy some more and throw it in the mix or will the different lots perform differently?
mixing brass lots
- Thread starter skog
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Re: mixing brass lots
I would weigh a new batch vs the unfired cases you already have and see if they weigh the same. Couldn't say for sure, but I would think if they weighed about the same they'd perform about the same. Just a thought.
You could get more into it and compare neck wall thickness and case length for neck tension, but I'd start with weighing them. If the two batches weighed different I'd just assume keep them as two different lots.
I would weigh a new batch vs the unfired cases you already have and see if they weigh the same. Couldn't say for sure, but I would think if they weighed about the same they'd perform about the same. Just a thought.
You could get more into it and compare neck wall thickness and case length for neck tension, but I'd start with weighing them. If the two batches weighed different I'd just assume keep them as two different lots.
Re: mixing brass lots
The purist and the benchrest shooters will tell you No. I am neither so if it were me, i do it, which I have done many times. Lapua brass are very consistent, so you are not likely going to find a large variant between lot numbers. Hope that helps
The purist and the benchrest shooters will tell you No. I am neither so if it were me, i do it, which I have done many times. Lapua brass are very consistent, so you are not likely going to find a large variant between lot numbers. Hope that helps
Re: mixing brass lots
You have the same brass and that's good. The problem with different number of firings is different neck tensions, which WILL cause different points of impact. Now, mixing once fired with new brass: no biggie in my book. Mixing new brass with something fired 10 times....there will be a difference in neck tension and this will be noticed on long-range targets.
You have the same brass and that's good. The problem with different number of firings is different neck tensions, which WILL cause different points of impact. Now, mixing once fired with new brass: no biggie in my book. Mixing new brass with something fired 10 times....there will be a difference in neck tension and this will be noticed on long-range targets.
Re: mixing brass lots
OK how about lapua blue box and lapua brown box? I know they are different blends of brass.
OK how about lapua blue box and lapua brown box? I know they are different blends of brass.
Re: mixing brass lots
Those two boxes have different neck thicknesses. Once again, that will cause neck tension to differ. I would not mix them unless you turn the necks to the same thickness.
Those two boxes have different neck thicknesses. Once again, that will cause neck tension to differ. I would not mix them unless you turn the necks to the same thickness.
Re: mixing brass lots
When I started reloading I mixed lots without first considering if it was a good idea or not. I do make sure to keep the number of firings seperate. I'm happy with the results. Of course I'm no pro by any stretch of the imagination either. Just a plinker that is happy with .5 moa or better.
When I started reloading I mixed lots without first considering if it was a good idea or not. I do make sure to keep the number of firings seperate. I'm happy with the results. Of course I'm no pro by any stretch of the imagination either. Just a plinker that is happy with .5 moa or better.
Re: mixing brass lots
I'm confused on the whole "weighing" of brass. Just because it weighs the same, doesn't mean it has the same wall thickness and such...does it? I mix alot of my 308 brass, RP, Win, Fed, etc. I understand that if it has heavier/thicker walls, it won't hold the same amount of powder, but what does having your brass weigh the same have to do with it? I just haven't been able to wrap my head around this subject I guess, but I don't shoot competition or anything like that either!
I'm confused on the whole "weighing" of brass. Just because it weighs the same, doesn't mean it has the same wall thickness and such...does it? I mix alot of my 308 brass, RP, Win, Fed, etc. I understand that if it has heavier/thicker walls, it won't hold the same amount of powder, but what does having your brass weigh the same have to do with it? I just haven't been able to wrap my head around this subject I guess, but I don't shoot competition or anything like that either!
Re: mixing brass lots
Most discussions of weighing brass assume you are working with the same brand, same lot, that has been sized in the same die, trimmed to the same length and otherwise treated the same. Given that, some think weight difference may indicate volume differences, which impact pressure/velocity. The most important decision is purchasing good components. Everything else is minor tweeking. I would not even consider these types of discussions unless you are striving for sub 1/2 MOA accuracy ...most tactical shooting does not fall in this category. If you are thinking of sub-1/2 MOA accuracy, Lapua brass is a wise way to start.
Most discussions of weighing brass assume you are working with the same brand, same lot, that has been sized in the same die, trimmed to the same length and otherwise treated the same. Given that, some think weight difference may indicate volume differences, which impact pressure/velocity. The most important decision is purchasing good components. Everything else is minor tweeking. I would not even consider these types of discussions unless you are striving for sub 1/2 MOA accuracy ...most tactical shooting does not fall in this category. If you are thinking of sub-1/2 MOA accuracy, Lapua brass is a wise way to start.
