Favorite 6.5 Creedmoor brass?
- Thread starter Longboat
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Mystic Precision
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- Summerland, BC
Some rules of thumb.... when asking about brass, it fits into 2 questions...
how tough is the brass? ie, how well does it stand up to loading and what pressures can it tolerate before the pockets open up...
how consistent is the case volume? Case weight is NOT a good indicator of this.
Lapua is typically regarded as the toughest brass on the market (some of the thickest as well). This brass can take a beating and handle many reloads, even if loads get a bit toasty. But since you are asking about 6.5 CM brass, you have look at how the market is responding to the brass.
here, we see that many brands are making excellent quality brass - dimensions and case volume. At SAAMI pressures, most everything is working great and lasting well.... so, it now has more to do with preference then brand x working better then brand y. At least to the 1/4 MOA level.
SR vs LR... simple, do you shoot in the very cold? do you want just one load option throughout the year? If yes to both, then go with the LR. If you are going to run hotter then SAAMI loads and keep them in weather above zero, then the SR will work.
As a note, I have yet to see a 6.5CM at very high pressures shoot as consistently as a load within SAAMI specs. There might be some out there but of the several I own or have direct hand in load development, haven't seen it.... we are confirming at 1000yds and beyond.
YMMV
Jerry
Note: as a dealer, I offer pretty much all options so I have no preference in any direction. This is just my experience shooting this chambering over the last 2 yrs.
how tough is the brass? ie, how well does it stand up to loading and what pressures can it tolerate before the pockets open up...
how consistent is the case volume? Case weight is NOT a good indicator of this.
Lapua is typically regarded as the toughest brass on the market (some of the thickest as well). This brass can take a beating and handle many reloads, even if loads get a bit toasty. But since you are asking about 6.5 CM brass, you have look at how the market is responding to the brass.
here, we see that many brands are making excellent quality brass - dimensions and case volume. At SAAMI pressures, most everything is working great and lasting well.... so, it now has more to do with preference then brand x working better then brand y. At least to the 1/4 MOA level.
SR vs LR... simple, do you shoot in the very cold? do you want just one load option throughout the year? If yes to both, then go with the LR. If you are going to run hotter then SAAMI loads and keep them in weather above zero, then the SR will work.
As a note, I have yet to see a 6.5CM at very high pressures shoot as consistently as a load within SAAMI specs. There might be some out there but of the several I own or have direct hand in load development, haven't seen it.... we are confirming at 1000yds and beyond.
YMMV
Jerry
Note: as a dealer, I offer pretty much all options so I have no preference in any direction. This is just my experience shooting this chambering over the last 2 yrs.
My Hornady brass, while far from being great brass is dong ok. I have an itch to try Alpha but I am not sure on a few things. Will I be forced to outside turn the case necks? ( my guess is yes if you have a tight chamber ) Will I get more cycles from the brass than with my Hornady? ( my guess is yes )
I finally threw out 5 brass that the primer pockets got a bit lose on after the 8th firing. I could have gotten more yet from them but they were pretty easy to seat last time around. No signs of case head separation at all. ( cut them in half )
When reducing case capacity between the Hornady and the Alpha, can the velocity be maintained that I have in my current loads?
I finally threw out 5 brass that the primer pockets got a bit lose on after the 8th firing. I could have gotten more yet from them but they were pretty easy to seat last time around. No signs of case head separation at all. ( cut them in half )
When reducing case capacity between the Hornady and the Alpha, can the velocity be maintained that I have in my current loads?
Who's selling Alpha brass in Canada? I'm using Lapua SRP now but it's been difficult to find for the last little while.. I see X-Reload has Peterson SRP in stock. I have a few hundred Hornady cases, if need be I'll start loading those.
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Hornady CM brass is decent quality, it is their baby so they can't put out crap brass in those cartridges. I wouldn't call it match grade, but it can be prepped and loaded a bunch of times. Kind of like the old Winchester blue bag stuff quality wise.
So in the Creedmoor, like 20+ loads?
Got Juice?
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- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
What he said, but be reasonable, it is enough $$$ as it is
Lapua brass is consistent, good metallurgical properties for both plastic deformation and elastic recovery. and it plain lasts.
If a shooter is not sponsored per se, ask around .... and then ask the question, why so many use Lapua? It's not because it is cheap (it's not) but it does work well, provides consistent results, and still can be reloaded almost as much as some pistol brass.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
I turned down a bucket of 400 once fired Hornady 6.5 brass. Even free it is not worth messing with imho.
Hornady makes great stuff, I even like their 204 brass. But not their 65 brass.... plus it is large primer (which I detest using)
Hornady makes great stuff, I even like their 204 brass. But not their 65 brass.... plus it is large primer (which I detest using)
Damn, I would have taken them. I am finally almost getting through my first 400. Primer pockets started giving out at 14-17 reloads. If it wasn't for that, I would keep on using them since there is absolutely nothing wrong with them otherwise. I have a bunch of Lapua brass waiting. It'll just have to wait for a new barrel.
