Buying brass?

[wisconsinteacher]

I am starting to look for brass for my .338WM. I could also use some 22-250 and 30-06 brass. Where do you guys find good deals on brass? Also, should I buy new or is it okay to buy once fired brass?

 

[SJB358]

WT, I would buy new brass. I would look at Midsouth, Midway, Grafs and Sons, and Natchez. Just see what company has the best deal and order it up. New brass will allow you to custom size it for your rifle. Once fired brass would be fine, if you knew everything about it. I usually look for Winchester brass, but have been buying a bunch of Nosler stuff recently. Scotty

 

[velvetant]

I second most of what Scotty said.
Lately I have seen a lot of bad brass with the Winchester headstamp.
I've returned several bags of bad brass, unusual amount of split neck, creased shoulders and bases that won't fit the shell holder.
I will no longer by Winchester.
I use Remington most of the time now.
I usually buy brass 500 for big game or a few thousand for varmint for what ever caliber I'm loading for and can't afford Nosler, Norma or Lapua.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I like Grafs because its a fixed shipping rate no matter how much you order from them. But I only use winchester in my 25-06 for coyotes and and such, I like to use Remington (R-P) for my leverguns, and Federal (F-C) or Nosler for my serious hunting rifles. That stuff lasts a long time and is more uniform than others. I too have experienced low quality Winchester brass with large bases, creased shoulders and split or creased necks. And it often costs more or the same as R-P brass. Plus the Nosler stuff comes prepped; even the seconds are better than some other brands firsts! Never used Norma but I have never heard anything bad about it. It is spendy though.

 

[SJB358]

I would do the same if I was getting crappy Winchester stuff. I plan on buying Nosler 2nds as I can. I don't shoot nearly as much as Randy, so a bag of 50 usually lasts me quite awhile. Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

I just bought a bag of 50 270wsm Winchester brass to neck down for my 6.5wsm and found 2 cases so far that were too large to fit into my shell holder. I have not esperienced this with their brass before. I don't like Remmy brass, so it means having to "eat" a couple cases or bring them back to where I purchased them to see if they will replace them.

 

[DrMike]

Joel,

What you observe is not that uncommon with WSM brass from almost every manufacturer. I witness this frequently, and almost always it has to do with the close tolerances of the shell holders. Redding #1 holders are more prone to not permitting various brass than are RCBS #43 shell holders. Lyman shell holders are similar to the Redding shell holders in many instances. This is one major reason that I have switched almost all my WSM work to the Forster Co-Ax press.

 

[257 Ackley]

Mike -
Thanks for the heads-up. I do use Redding shell holders. The same thing happened with the 300 WSM brass, I just overlooked it. I have looked at updating my press for awhile now and know that it will be the co-ax when I do make the plunge.

 

[DrMike]

FWIW, often a cleaning of the shell holder with a small wire brush will permit seating the case again. Having stated that the tolerances are close on the Redding shell holder, it is interesting that there is more lateral movement with the Redding shell holder than with the RCBS shell holder. I have broken several decapping pins using Redding shell holders. Generally, I opt for RCBS shell holders over Redding, and gradually I'm replacing all my Redding shell holders for these several reasons.

 

[BK]

This is one major reason that I have switched almost all my WSM work to the Forster Co-Ax press.

Dang, you guys are really trying to talk me into a Co-Ax, aren't you?

 

[DrMike]

Dang, you guys are really trying to talk me into a Co-Ax, aren't you?

Superb piece of equipment and a good company when you need their input. No pressure, though.

 

[nodak7mm]

Once you fondle & play with a coax, all others seem complicated, take more effort, and the handles swing backwards..

Joel, I have had mine better than 30 yrs. Got it at Coast to Coast in Teif!!

 

[JD338]

WT

Try here-
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15564

JD338

 

[spires5d]

I'm like some of the other fellows,I've had some bad luck with Winchester cases,so I have bought some Nosler cases a few years and now I buy Remington cases for my 7mm's. Noslers 2nds have gone out of sight for the price.Check out Midsouth,midway.Natches,Cabelas,Bass pro shop and Sinclair for the best price. The way the prices have went up in the past few years,you have to shop around.




7mm's Forever and a 30 cal. will "Slam Dunk Um"

 

[BK]

Dang, you guys are really trying to talk me into a Co-Ax, aren't you?

Superb piece of equipment and a good company when you need their input. No pressure, though.

Well, it's gonna have to wait. Just bought a Redding T7 on my last gun-buying bender. When I wear it and my Rock Chucker out, I'll start thinking about another press. Or maybe next week. I guess I am a little prone to whims.

 

[DrMike]

I have both a T7 and a Co-Ax. Each has its place, but the Co-Ax is top dog for my personal loading.

 

[velvetant]

All this talk about the Co-Ax better stop before you guys spend all my money :wink: :wink:

Randy

 

[SJB358]

I feel like I missed out on sheer reloading enjoyment when I went to the COAX from my RCBS. Thr CoAx is smooth and effortless with die changes plus i like the depriming system very clean and dustless. Plus, like Mike said, it just grips te entire case head and sizes it! No goofing around with shellholders. Scotty

 

[GF1]

I use mostly Winchester and Nosler, but also Norma and Remington somewhat less. QC on the Winchester lags a bit lately, Remington has always been worse, Nosler and Norma pretty good, though Nosler is softer than I like. My first preference is Winchester, in spite of the occassional culls, because of price. If price were no object, Norma every time, followed closely by Nosler.

 

[backcountryhunter]

when I loaded for my 338 win mag alot I found Norma brass to be far superior to anything other than Nosler custom (which is Norma albeit prepped) I have used WW brass lots and lots over the years and it is good enough since it's pretty cheap but for consistent tolerances and long lasting quality I'd still go Nolser or Norma but that's MPO - Nosler custom will sometimes be available as 2nds if you are patient