Does using different brass matter?

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Big k

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I have found a load that works great in my rifle (308).
Now I am curious as to how much difference the brass case makes.
I have 3 different types of brass. Lapua, Winchester and Hornady. I gathered 10 of each. I cleaned prepped, FL sized and trimmed them all exactly the same. I loaded them all with the same powder, bullets and primers. 44 grains of varget pushing a 168 match bullet.
I plan on going to the range tomorrow (300m) and finding out if there is a difference.
I was wondering if anybody has tried this. Also, what difference if any should I expect? Group size difference?point of impact difference?

What do you guys think?
 
I have tried this with pistol loads. I know it's like comparing apples with oranges, but I found that different brands gave different readings over the chronograph.
When shooting at 25 yards or less, these variations made no practical difference. I would think that you will see more variance with rifle loads at longer ranges.
 
With my benelli semi auto's it seems to matter. They prefer win and hornady reloads or factory, and are terrible with federal brass, reloaded or factory.

When I reload all go through the same wringer, but yet on paper I see the difference.

My BDL's with the pressure point shoot everything in the same place.


I sight in and hunt with win brass, and shoot rocks and ring gongs with everything else.
 
Velocity will vary, because of slightly different interior volumes make pressures different between some brands of brass. My experience anyway.
 
Continuing what emerson said above in that there may be a volume disparity. I would weigh the cases dry (with spent primer or similar substitute) and full of water to compare. However, case volume probably isn't something you'd be concerned with unless you're a bench-rest shooter going out to 1000yd.
 
Big k said:
I have found a load that works great in my rifle (308).
Now I am curious as to how much difference the brass case makes.
I have 3 different types of brass. Lapua, Winchester and Hornady. I gathered 10 of each. I cleaned prepped, FL sized and trimmed them all exactly the same. I loaded them all with the same powder, bullets and primers. 44 grains of varget pushing a 168 match bullet.
I plan on going to the range tomorrow (300m) and finding out if there is a difference.
I was wondering if anybody has tried this. Also, what difference if any should I expect? Group size difference?point of impact difference?

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

With the average shooter and off the shelf factory rifle mixed brass "may" not make a difference. Meaning this depends on the shooter and his rifle and the distance he is shooting.

"BUT" for me the purpose of reloading is to make ammunition that is more consistent and accurate than factory ammunition. And you will not do this using mixed brass and maintain your accuracy.

As an example in my AR15 carbine rifle I buy once fired mixed brass for practice at 100 yards or less. In my .223 bolt action and AR15 A2 HBAR target rifle I use the same brand/type of brass that has been prepped and sorted for long range accuracy.

Bottom line, accuracy comes from uniformity when reloading and mixed brass is not uniform in weight, case wall thickness, annealing and internal volume. If you are going to spend your time reloading, then do the best job you possibly can.
 
I agree with you about consistency. My curiosity was about how much of a difference would the just cases make. Also, which cases are best with my best load so far.

Thank you for all of you responses. I am going to try to get out early from work this afternoon and find out. My rifle is a custom 308. It can be seen here http://www.mysticprecision.com/wp/2593/promag-rem-700-sa-precision-stock/

Typically groups of 1" to 1 1/2" at 300M so about 1/3 to 1/2 MOA with my reloads.

I will definitely post my results at 300M if the snow isn't too bad. If it is, I will do the test at 100M.
 
Definitely matters. There can be wide variations in consistency of volume, etc, between brass. Some more than others. Only question is to what degree and whether it matters to you.
 
If you shoot the ammo as three different groups, the groups will be similar, although one will be better than the others. Only multiple tests will tell you if brass is a factor or just a fluke.

But, it you shoot 3 groups of mixed ammo in each group, the mixed groups would be a bit bigger than the groups of same brass.

It depends a lot on the kind of rifle rig you have. Mixed brass in a benchrest rifle would be a disaster. In a hunting rifle, you probably would not see the difference, so long as there was no military brass in the mix.
 
Lapua brass is usually heavier with less capacity so will produce higher pressure than USA-made brass with the same powder quantity.. There are other benefits that come from the metallurgy making it tougher so you get more reloads. Then there is consistency which accounts for popularity with comp. shooters.

Regards,

Peter
 
Different pressures should mean a different point of impact too I assume. i.e. lower pressure should have a lower point of impact etc...

I plan on shooting 2 groups of 5 rounds in a round robin style. I figure this should factor out the barrel getting dirty or hot. 2 - 5 round groups for each type of brass.
 
The Lapua Brass I have has been shot 3 times (making this the 4'th time)
The Hornady and Winchester were shot twice making this the 3'rd time.

I have a lot of each brass and I just wanted to see which is more accurate and consistent at my best load.

Maybe I am just wasting my time and ammo. But I would rather have a bad day shooting than a good day at work.
 
Thanks Stubblejumper,
I haven't thought of that but I am no where near maximum according to my book. (using 44 grains of Varget for 168 SMK bullet). My book says up to 46 grains.
 
It's a very decided 'maybe'. It won't put of a hunting rifle, but might out of a match barreled target rifle. Even when using a match bullet.
 
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