Virgin or Once Fired Brass for hunting

[joelkdouglas]

Gents

Do you prefer to hunt with virgin or once-fired brass? Any reason for one or the other?

Joel

 

[DrMike]

I do not prefer one over the other. I do restrict my ammunition for hunting to that which has not been fired more than three times.

 

[NWBlacktail]

Some guys are picky. I guess once fired would have been fire formed, so you could theoretically get better alignment/accuracy.

But the honest truth is hunting is not bench shooting. The huge variables associated with field shooting often outweigh 0.1 or 0.2 MOA differences in accuracy.

…matters not.

 

[joelkdouglas]

The reason I ask--I got some 30-06 Nosler brass from SPS today. I'm moving in a couple of months, and then going on an elk hunt in September. I was thinking to load up the new brass before I move to have one less thing to worry about. I could fire it once before moving, but I would prefer to not have to worry about it.

I sorted it today for neck thickness variance and concentricity, and I can get 50 perfect pieces of brass.

I honestly can't remember what I've done in years past! And this year's elk hunt is a big one.

 

[Elkman]

My hunting brass stays together for life. When I shoot two or three, I put a dot of fingernail polish on them after they are reloaded. They stay in the box until all are fired. I go through this is routine until signs of wear occur, then throw them in the trash and start over. I don't have phobias, but I never start hunting season with anything "new" .

 

[sask boy]

I like to start the season with once fired brass. I guess that would mean that some of the brass has actually been fired twice before if it was not new when I loaded it for that particular rifle :wink:!
In my 35 Whelen all the brass I use has only been shot using my rifle and I will be doing the same with my 280AI.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[wildgene]

...usually once -fired, everything I'm going to pack while hunting gets run thru the rifle to check feeding/ chambering...

 

[1Shot]

I learned a loooooog time ago to hunt with ammo that the gun was sighted in with. I have had rifles that just would not shoot with virgin cases but would shoot bug holes with cases that had been fired and then even full length sized. I had a Rem 700 in 7 Rem Mag that about drove me nuts once. I bought 100 new cases when I got the rifle and started working up loads and NOTHING would shoot under 1 1/2" three shots at 100 yards. I was loading out of the new cases all the time. I went through all the new cases and then FL sized them and started over. The first load that I tried was one that had shot 1 1/2" at 100. I fired one shot and looked through the spotting scope to see where it hit then fired the second shot. There was only one hole in the target. I thought great, now this rifle can't even keep two shots on the paper. I then fired the third shot and looked through the scope and still only one bullet hole in the target. I walked down to the target and discovered ALL THREE had went into almost the exact same hole. That rifle would shoot almost anything you put into it in a bug hole as long as you used a case that had been fired at least once. I always hunt with ammo loaded in a case that has been fired at least once and that the zero has been confirmed with ammo thus loaded. I always hunt on a bore that has been fouled with at least one round but usually with three. They don't shoot to the same place on a clean bore as it does with a fouled barrel. I encourage you to do nothing hap hazard if you want to have a great successful hunt. Confirm your ammo and rifle and PRACTICE from field positions and know what to expect and learn your limitations. The game deserves this consideration for clean kill and you will have a great hunt and not waste your money and time. Hope you have a great hunt.

 

[kraky]

Anytime I work w/ new brass I shoot a 5 shot test group before loading more.
If they shoot great the rest get loaded and my mind is at ease!

 

[NYDAN]

Some of my new brass fits pretty tight. Also, some factory loads fit pretty tight. Sometimes the shoulder on new cases or cartridges actual measures a little long using a RCBS Precision Mic. I plan to use once or twice fired brass with partial F/L resizing for hunting.

 

[Partisan]

Once-Fired

 

[tecumseh]

Another vote for once fired.

 

[gerry]

I have used both new and fire formed brass for my hunting loads. I'm surprised so any guys don't like using new brass for hunting, I have never had any trouble with it in the past.

 

[nosler06]

I have used both new and fire formed brass for my hunting loads. I'm surprised so any guys don't like using new brass for hunting, I have never had any trouble with it in the past.

I have never had any problems with new or once fired brass shooting well thru my 06'. That being said if you are going on a big hunt like you say for piece of mind I would load up shoot them then reload and check again. I think this would put your mind at ease and be able to think only of the elk. Good luck.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My best groups come from once partially FL sized brass, fired in my rifle. I would hunt with those, sized to about .002 less headspace than once fired brass.

 

[Guy Miner]

I used to think I had a preference for once-fired brass for my hunting loads.

Two years ago I treated my .25-06 to some new Nosler brass. Tested some loads from it at the range, was suitably impressed. Loaded up the rest of the new Nosler brass with those wonderful 115 gr Ballistic Tips and took them to Wyoming. Three shots, one coyote, one pronghorn, one mule deer. I was pleased. I'd say new brass works just fine.

FWIW, Guy

 

[Divernhunter]

I only use new brass for my hunting loads.
I want no problems with them. It has worked well for me since 1960's when I started hunting and loading.

Never had a accuracy problem with new brass. I also sometimes hunt with a pump action rifle

 

[FOTIS]

Either if in good shape

 

[big rifle man]

I follow along the same lines as Dr. Mike. I keep my brass sorted as to how many times each one has been fired. I've used new brass and also brass I've fired four times for hunting and haven't had any problems. I do a close check on brass that's been fired for anything out of the ordinary such as split necks or enlarged primer pockets. Whether it's new brass or fired I cycle the brass I'm going to take hunting through the rifle for "peace of mind".