Never new brass would make such a big deal.

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Brappp306

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It seemed like I was having issues with the Hornady brass, so I tested the theory today after cooking up these loads last night... All 5 shot groups.

Results:

168gr Nosler Custom Comp .308
CFE223 46.8grs
CCI BR-2
* Nosler Brass *
OAL 2.805"

Group 1: .522" Group 2: .619"

168gr Nosler Custom Comp .308
IMR 4166 39grs
CCI BR-2
* Nosler Brass *
OAL 2.805"

Group 1: .416" Group 2: .744"

168gr Nosler Custom Comp .308
CFE223 46.8grs
CCI BR-2
* Hornady Brass *
OAL 2.805"

Group 1: 1.350" Group 2: 1.222"


168gr Nosler Custom Comp .308
IMR 4166 39grs
CCI BR-2
* Hornady Brass *
OAL 2.805"

Group 1: .979" Group 2: 1.335"

Same loads! But the Hornady brass shoots like ####... I even tried a few rounds through my XCR-M, same thing! The Nosler brass shot great and the Hornady was terrible. Showed the same results from two different rifles, is Hornady brass that bad? Everything was prepped equally!
 
I've seen differences with my Lapua brass in .308 compared to Hornady Match brass, noticeable but not as much as you had.
 
Check the case length and case neck thickness.

As long as the brass is in good condition, it can usually be made to work.. but it is too long or too thick vs the rifle chamber, it can cause flyers which look like a crappy group.

Jerry
 
I can see huge differences in accuracy when using different brands/lots of brass and I shoot milsurps 100 yds with iron sights.

I didn't have much of bad luck with Hornady but S&B brass has been terrible both accuracy and longevity wise.Hornady 308 I did shoot many,many times before it failed when S&B was done after 3 firings.
 
Did you chrono the loads?

I'll admit I'm having trouble feeling sorry for you and your 1.35" 5 shot group.
 
MiG25 said:
Did you chrono the loads?

I'll admit I'm having trouble feeling sorry for you and your 1.35" 5 shot group.
Click to expand...

Really? My $235 axis shot almost that good with cheap factory ammo, as does my $235 mossberg atr...

I have no idea what the OP is shooting, but the fact he bought good brass shows its probably worth a heck of a lot more than any of my guns, and 1.35" wouldn't impress me with handloads at all. Under an inch would be acceptable, under .75 preferred.
 
Suther said:
Really? My $235 axis shot almost that good with cheap factory ammo, as does my $235 mossberg atr...

I have no idea what the OP is shooting, but the fact he bought good brass shows its probably worth a heck of a lot more than any of my guns, and 1.35" wouldn't impress me with handloads at all. Under an inch would be acceptable, under .75 preferred.
Click to expand...

That's super.
 
Your using the wrong powders for .308 only powder is VARGET with same cases wee what happens, and secondly the most accurate 168 gr are the Berger Hybrids
 
I'm shooting a Browning X-Bolt LR, which does very well. It will even shoot .75 MOA with certain factory match loads(Federal and Berger). The other rifle is a XCR-M with a Krieger Match barrel which also does very well. Like I was saying, I am very happy with the Nosler loads as they are both around the .5 MOA mark. But both rifles just seemed to hate the Hornady brass... Anything over 1 MOA from either of these rifles is not acceptable for me. All the brass was prepped to the same specs down to the .001", bullets also seated exactly the same with RCBS Competition dies.
 
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manitou210 said:
Your using the wrong powders for .308 only powder is VARGET with same cases wee what happens, and secondly the most accurate 168 gr are the Berger Hybrids
Click to expand...

I don't know about using the wrong powders... The CFE223 and IMR4166 seem to work great, I have heard great things about them from many people who have been reloading MUCH longer than me. I would like to try Varget! But with a rough average of .5 MOA(with the proper load) I'm pretty pleased for now. My Semi auto XCR with the Krieger barrel will shoot .75 - 1.00 MOA with the 46.8 CFE223 Nosler load.
 
If your rifle shoots well with Nosler and you know it shoots poor with Hornady why not just keep with what works? Hornady brass isn't cheap...costs near as much as Lapua. If you have a bunch you can always sell it on the forum here.
 
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