Is Norma brass soft?

P

pathfinder76

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
I’ve heard this for years. I’ve never really used Norma brass that I can remember. I alway opt for Lapua, Alpha, or Peterson. But due to a couple of different circumstances I picked up Norma brass (actually loaded ammunition that was cheaper than the bulk brass) for my 30-06. Shooting 165/168 grain bullets and H4350 at 2900 fps I’m on firing number 10 with absolutely no indication of primer pockets opening up.

I’ve had worse results with the other three brands mentioned above. It makes concentric ammo, is very accurate, very consistent, and after an initial trim to make cases all the same length it has not needed trimming since.

I anneal with an amp every reloading, but do that with everything else as well. What gives?

2o0cRig.jpeg
 
I bought my first M38 Swede at Le Barons about 50 yrs ago. Still own it as well as have went through some additional 38's, a 96 and a couple 42's. 50 yrs ago 6.5x55 was hard to find! Come across 3 boxes (60) pieces of Norma brass. Bought it all. It has been reloaded at least 20 times each and other then trimming all are still usable and I would not hesitate to use them again.

Got to keep in mind that was brass manufactured 50 yrs ago.
 
Only issue I've had with Norma brass is that there's a tiny ridge in some of the primer pockets, so primers don't quite sit perfectly flush. Strangely not all cartridges/vintages are like this
 
I reloaded Norma brass for the 6.5 Swede many times, and never had any issues with it back in the mid 90's. (Used to shoot 500-700 rounds a year through that rifle. Although I do not recall reloading any cases for more than 10 times, as I didn't anneal it.) While I was loading up to max for the powders and bullets as per the reloading manuals, I wasn't ever going beyond that.

I have bought some newer Norma brass since then (over the past 10 years) but haven't reloaded it as yet, as I have only reacquired a couple of Swedes since then and have only fired factory ammo so far in those rifles. (Hope to work up some loads for them soon.)

Long story short, I cannot say if there is a difference yet between their older brass and their newer brass. But I wouldn't be too worried about it; just make sure you prep it all properly, and watch for signs of issues as you go.
While you probably do not have a pressure tester, you may have a chronograph that can assist you in determining if your performance is on par with the reloading data's suggested performance, from your rifle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom