How important is case weight? And?

[EC]

They shouldn't, and Bruce touched on it..... Unless you are a long range addict, seeking each and every millimetre at 600 plus, there is zero practical difference......

I am a novice reloader, and a "pretty decent" shooter, and I couldn't tell the difference.....

If your a long range addict you should spend more time shooting and learning how to read wind than weighing cases.

 

[bigedp51]

Below are Quickload charts showing the same bullet and powder charge and cases with 30.4 and 28.0 grains of water capacity in .223/5.56 cases and 6,000 psi difference in chamber pressure.

Below a military Lake City case with 30.4 of grains internal case capacity.

Below the same load with a case with 28.0 grains internal case capacity and 6,000 psi higher chamber pressure.

The smaller the case the more case capacity effects the chamber pressure.

Below you can see that Lapua has the least variation in case weight and Winchester with the most case weight variation.

And as H4831 stated above with cases like the .243 and larger the case capacity has "less" effect on bullet velocity. So for the average shooter with a off the shelf factory rifle just buying brass from the same manufacture and "lot number" if you have brass OCD is good enough.

 

[Brianma65]

Thanks , I could put up with weighing my 100 7mm cases but don't think I would've enjoyed an extra step or two with my 2000 .223 cases. I've been on here long enough to know that 'Bruce gives solid advice and I've used it before.

 

[bigedp51]

Last night I was at one of the AR15 forums and one of the members did a "Pressure Trace" test using Lapua and Lake City brass. The test had over lapping test showing the pressure curve and variations like the Quickload charts I posted above. The test showed the more uniform Lapua brass had lower SD numbers but you would need a custom benchrest rifle to see the differences in brass down range. Meaning a stock AR15 rifle wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Lapua and Lake City brass.

I can buy once fired Lake City brass for .08 cents each and Lapua .223 cases are .84 cents each. So I buy a lot of Lake City brass and keep my cheap bastard image and don't cry if I loose a case or two at the range.

 

[Ganderite]

Weighing brass is a good bet if you have a quality accuracy rig.

But, it not as important as having brass of all the same make and lot #. Unless you have that, don't bother weighing.

 

[Fassteel]

If you are talking about 308/270, or larger calibres, you can just forget about normal differences in case weight. I proved to myself, with a 243, that weight differences of 10 grains made absolutely no difference to accuracy, or velocity.
Many people here on CGN are trying to create a problem where none exists.
Just load up your empty brass, go out and shoot them and have fun.

Just make sure you keep all of your winchester brass, your Reminton brass and yor federal brass separate from each other....FS

 

[Brianma65]

I've been sorting them by name just recently. I'll keep doing that until I get some new brass. I'll wear these out first though.