Rookie brass question

T

TSPIRI

CGN Regular
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Location
Montreal, CANADA
I've been looking at brass all over the Web. Prices vary wildly from one manufacturer to the next. Is there really a big difference between winchester, hornady, Norma etc? Do you get more reloads out of the more expensive manufacturers to justify the extra expense is the brass sizing from the manufacturers more consistent? You always have to resize and maybe trim your cases so what's the big price difference about. Sorry I'm just starting to read up on reloading and haven't actually started yet. Still doing my preliminary research

Thanks
 
Below case weight variations and capacity of .223/5.56 cases by manufacture.

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How Hard is Your Brass? 5.56 and .223 Rem Base Hardness Tests
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/05/how-hard-is-your-brass-5-56-and-223-rem-base-hardness-tests/

In my opinion for my AR15s and bolt action Savage .223 buying once fired Lake City 5.56 brass vs Lapua .223 brass is a no brainer and a fraction of the cost. "BUT" Lapua brass is noted for its quality, uniformity and brass hardness.

Below .308/7.62 cases fired and reloaded until failure.

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For the shooter loading 50 rounds a year to sight in their rifle and go deer/moose hunting just about any brass will do. For the competitive shooter loading and shooting 1000+ rounds a year, better quality brass like Lapua is worth every penny.
 
Short answer: Yes there's a difference.
Long answer: Too long to explain unless you at least tell us what calibre you're thinking of. Too much difference between tiny handgun ammos, large magnum rifle ammos for hunting, benchrest ammos, etc...
 
It might be more prudent that if your just starting out don't get caught up in all the intricacies of reloading (how long will my brass last, etc). Learn the basics by doing lots of reading, and doing some basic reloading. Start with less expensive brass, etc. When you become more comfortable with the reloading process you can decide from there how specific you want to be with regard specific components, costs etc.
 
For pistol, just pick up whatever you can find and blaze away.

For rifle, unless you are into serious competition, if you can get 100 to 500 pieces of the same make and lot #, you are golden. Failing that, try to get the brass all of the same make. Once fired brass all fired in the same gun would be excellent way to start, and cheaper than new brass.
 
Below my last two buys.

9mm Range Brass 500 pieces $29.50 ($0.06 ea)
http://www.evergladesammo.com/brass/handgun-brass/9mm-range-brass.html

.223/5.56 - Cleaned, Deprimed & Swaged - LC Only - 500 Pieces $54.00 ($0.10 ea)
http://www.brassbombers.com/223-556-Cleaned-Deprimed-Swaged-LC-Only-500-Pieces-2LC-S0050.htm

Below what I never buy

Lapua Reloading Brass 223 Remington Box of 100 $56.99 ($0.57ea)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010128581/lapua-reloading-brass-223-remington-box-of-100

Bottom line, cheap bastards have more fun and shoot more.
 
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