What process, if any, do you use for brass selection?

[Basher]

How is everyone choosing what brass to purchase? I've had a mind to "go big or go home" and just go with Lapua brass, but I've run into a bit of an issue with that plan. As I'm just getting started with the process of learning to reload, I'll likely start with some once fired factory (Hornady, FGMM, etc.) brass to get the process down so I'm not trashing pricey cases when I screw something up, but once I have things down, I plan to move to premium brass going forward. My issue is, I recently acquired a few 6XC barrels for my AI, and Lapua doesn't make 6XC brass (at least not yet). I realize there's a member here who forms 6XC from Lapua brass, and I'll be messaging him shortly to get more info, but if I want to go with ready to go brass I'm left with fewer options, with the most popular appearing to be Norma ("made from the finest butter-soft brass available" ), or Alpha for the 6XC.

With so many possible options, how is everyone finalizing their selection before dumping significant amounts of money buying large lots of brass? This applies more to the 6XC, but also for anything else I plan to reload for. While Lapua is the goal, I'm open to others, but the process of selecting what to go with is something I've not found much reference to in my reading. Any help or guidance would be appreciated. If I need to just make a dart board with the various options and throw a few darts, so be it, but I figured there was a more "logical" process that some were using! Thanks!

 

[MACHTECH]

Usually with me, it's what ever I can get on sale between Lapua, Norma or Peterson. Once in a while I'll buy Nosler if none of the others are available.

Edit: I just started using Peterson a couple months ago and I love it!

Todd

 

[J McGriddle]

It's my understanding that you can make 6XC brass from .22-250 brass (which Lapua makes). You can also buy Tubb headstamp brass from his website, which is made by Norma. As far as good brass goes, I agree with MACHTECH. Lapua, Nosler, Peterson, and Norma- in that order.

 

[bfglowkey]

First, I agree with the use the "cheaper" stuff to learn on. Depending on the caliber(s) you load to learn how to get a good routine down I used my spent factory brass. Just sorted them and keep the lots separate with bins.
After I got comfortable I just researched and came up with my own opinion based on my research and needs/price range.
For 308 ... Lapua.
Both Creedmoor s.... Peterson
223/556....still undecided since my daughter is limited to range time at college and the stuff I have is still only 2x fired for her

I am pleased with Peterson brass so far. Lapua is the gold standard and rarely disappoints

 

[308pirate]

No real process. Started with Lapua for 308 (shooting Palma), have stayed with it.

223: mostly Lake City but just about anything will do.

Now that my interest is mostly PRS will probably switch to Winchester for 308 (cheap, decent quality).

When I rebarrel to 6.5 something, it won't be Lapua. Probably Starline (again, cheap decent quality)

 

[Peterpan]

I buy lapua and if I can’t get it or they don’t make it I buy Norma.

 

[Dai Bando]

I'd be all over the Alpha 6xc brass if I was in your shoes.

 

[Basher]

I'd be all over the Alpha 6xc brass if I was in your shoes.

I went with this for the 6XC. Being new to reloading, I just went with 100 each of 6XC and 6.5CM, but if I like what I see from those, several hundred more of each will find their way into my hands.

For .223, I snagged a case of 1000 cases of Lapua off the PX recently. I figure that will last me 'til the end of time, hahaha. If I can get 20 loads a case (shouldn't be THAT hard to do with .223), that's 20,000 rounds! I'll probably pick up a few hundred LC cases for any hunting, "lost brass" matches, or SPR/gas gun shooting I may do, but I figure I'm fairly set for bolt gun use for a bit, haha.

Thank you for the input, everyone!