Starline vs PPU Brass
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Redneck Hippy
Regular
Depends on what you mean by “better”
I find starline to be quite good but not premium. So I don’t use it unless there is no better option.
PPU is Winchester level brass… ok. Maybe soft. Primer pockets inconsistent, loosen up fast. But you don’t cry if you lose a case while hunting.
For hunting either would be fine, I’d buy whatever is cheapest.
If you are doing lots of practice at the range, consider Hornady
“Affordable” still, I have some with 7 firings that have nice tight primer pockets
I find starline to be quite good but not premium. So I don’t use it unless there is no better option.
PPU is Winchester level brass… ok. Maybe soft. Primer pockets inconsistent, loosen up fast. But you don’t cry if you lose a case while hunting.
For hunting either would be fine, I’d buy whatever is cheapest.
If you are doing lots of practice at the range, consider Hornady
“Affordable” still, I have some with 7 firings that have nice tight primer pockets
I've had issues with varying rim thicknesses on PPU cases, on five different cases. 7x57/8x57/6.5x57/303Brit/7x65r.
I've had to use different shell head holders because the rims were too thick.
I've never had an issue with StarLine.
I've also had some seriously different case weights with PPU.
They both resize easily and last well.
I've had to use different shell head holders because the rims were too thick.
I've never had an issue with StarLine.
I've also had some seriously different case weights with PPU.
They both resize easily and last well.
Have used both, as stated they aren't premium, but they work well and I've not had any qc issues with either brand. - dan
I much prefer Starline.
Not doing anything that requires premium brass. If I was I'd probably be using something else. But for hunting rifles? Starline seems to perform better or at minimum as good as anything else while being sometimes twice as cheap, when compared to Hornady, Winchester, PPU etc.
PPU shines when it comes to stuff like 303 Brit, 6.5x55 etc
Not doing anything that requires premium brass. If I was I'd probably be using something else. But for hunting rifles? Starline seems to perform better or at minimum as good as anything else while being sometimes twice as cheap, when compared to Hornady, Winchester, PPU etc.
PPU shines when it comes to stuff like 303 Brit, 6.5x55 etc
I just bought some Starline 222 and some PPU 22-250. I already had some Starline 222. It seems like good brass. IMO,we have a brass shortage here in Canada and you’re left with the option of buying premium Lapua or lesser quality like Hornady. I feel Starline is above Hornady. When you want to buy multiple bags of brass, paying $215 plus for premium doesn’t equate for most shooter. I would love to have premium brass to reload but I couldn’t afford $1100 for 500 pieces of 22-250.
I would go with Starline if it comes in the caliber you shoot.
I would go with Starline if it comes in the caliber you shoot.
I use Starline across the board with the exception of bulk 223 re-loads.
I even use it in my long range “precision” rig.
Not sure Alpha or Peterson brass would improve on the 5-7 SD i get in my 6.5 Creedmoor. This batch of Starline I am using is 11x so far.
I think there are more important factors than brass. Not that its meaningless, just less important than some other things.
A lot of people seem to be less concerned with precision for “hunting” than for other things.
I cant imagine brass makes much difference in that instance.
Its made me curious though so Im gonna check.
I have a wide variety of 308 brass i never use and I bet i can scrounge a couple more brands. I will load up a test and see what happens.
I even use it in my long range “precision” rig.
Not sure Alpha or Peterson brass would improve on the 5-7 SD i get in my 6.5 Creedmoor. This batch of Starline I am using is 11x so far.
I think there are more important factors than brass. Not that its meaningless, just less important than some other things.
A lot of people seem to be less concerned with precision for “hunting” than for other things.
I cant imagine brass makes much difference in that instance.
Its made me curious though so Im gonna check.
I have a wide variety of 308 brass i never use and I bet i can scrounge a couple more brands. I will load up a test and see what happens.
I have loaded thousands of 223 PPU although it's always once fired and it's used for bulk loading of mixed brass. I don't recall ever having a problem with it, or the PPU ammo which works great too. I also use Starline and it works well too. I've never heard a complaint about Starline and they usually get pretty high praise when people are doing testing. For regular hunting ammo? If both brands were sitting on the shelf next to each other I would pick whichever was the less expensive. If they were the same price I would pick Starline as it's made in the USA and I could probably convince myself it's better quality.
Starline is a good quality brass.
About a dozen years back, I met with Mr. Hayden, a dedicated shooter and staunch freedom believer.
He had a partner when I met him at a trade show, and they were both very adamant about making an affordable product, at least as good, or better than the other major US and even foreign competitors.
Their biggest issue, even then, was finding a producer willing to supply them with the mix of elements they requested. Even though they use a lot of the brass composite, it's not enough to initiate batches of the metal which producers have to change over all sorts of things for, and still be profitable.
It boils down to cost of the metal, so they piggy back onto other orders from other brass manufacturers.
They told me at the time, "Our machines are always kept in very good condition and worn components are quickly replaced, to ensure fine quality."
Those fellows are gone now, but I believe the business is still in the family, and the management is still keeping up their standards.
Starline brass is the Ruger of cartridge cases for reloading. There are better products out there, but much more expensive, for not much gain.
About a dozen years back, I met with Mr. Hayden, a dedicated shooter and staunch freedom believer.
He had a partner when I met him at a trade show, and they were both very adamant about making an affordable product, at least as good, or better than the other major US and even foreign competitors.
Their biggest issue, even then, was finding a producer willing to supply them with the mix of elements they requested. Even though they use a lot of the brass composite, it's not enough to initiate batches of the metal which producers have to change over all sorts of things for, and still be profitable.
It boils down to cost of the metal, so they piggy back onto other orders from other brass manufacturers.
They told me at the time, "Our machines are always kept in very good condition and worn components are quickly replaced, to ensure fine quality."
Those fellows are gone now, but I believe the business is still in the family, and the management is still keeping up their standards.
Starline brass is the Ruger of cartridge cases for reloading. There are better products out there, but much more expensive, for not much gain.
redbirddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Maple Syrup land Ontario
I take PPU brass and melt down in my propane forge to make trinkets and brass door stops.
I find it soft, poor pockets and always needs to be trimmed. Friend don't let friends use Fobus..... Friend give me PPU to melt down and they know. I have been doing this for 38 years. I hate the brass and I do not give it a second chance period. Hate me, if but if you know you know......
I find it soft, poor pockets and always needs to be trimmed. Friend don't let friends use Fobus..... Friend give me PPU to melt down and they know. I have been doing this for 38 years. I hate the brass and I do not give it a second chance period. Hate me, if but if you know you know......
Vanderdootch
New member
- Location
- Flamborough
I strongly prefer Starline. I use it for multiple calibers and have had good success with multiple firings. Was able to achieve sub-MOA accuracy easily in virgin brass. PPU is ok. I have used some in the past and would put it a tier below standard Winchester brass due to the primer pockets loosening up.
I didn’t have great expectations to begin with when I bought 500 pieces of Starline 6.5CM brass to feed 3 Tikka rifles. Went back to my supplier within the week to buy 2,000 more. I use Starline to load 90g Speer TNT for coyotes and Lapua for 123g Hornady SST. No regrets.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
PPU brass is good for reloading 7.62x39.
Starline for anything needing better than minute of proletariat.
Starline for anything needing better than minute of proletariat.
