Looking to buy some brass for a 6.5 PRC. I don’t have the rifle yet but I want to buy some stuff before I get the rifle. I’ve only looked at Midway and they are expensive, compared to what I normally buy. What is everyone running?
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None of it is cheap, but fortunately, is reusable. I just started re-loading a little over a year ago, so I know there are guys here way more knowledgeable than I am, but I would say Lapua, ADG, and Peterson for brass.
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I normally reload for 308 and 223 along with a few others but I’ve just never seen brass at those prices
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I have quite a bit of once fired Hornady brass. I started using only Lapua brass. I use my 6.5PRC for hunting so I just keep maybe 200 rounds loaded. I am very happy with my load at 2850fps average and a std dev of 5fps. Would consider parting with the Hornady brass. Make an offer.
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I use mostly Hornady and Starline for all my rifles. But with a new gun I figured ask what everyone else uses.
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This came up on the podcast from about 22 days ago now.
A bit of an interesting discussion. Jim was saying that initially he’s always been more supportive of getting the higher priced brass because it lasts longer and is able to be reloaded more times. But now he’s considering going to cheaper brass but instead of reloading, only hand loading one time with it.
As noted above, the typical high quality brass is considered lapua, peterson, and adg. I would add Alpha to that group personally. Nosler being a very close second
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I reload for hunting, so I use a single stage press and measure everything. I use Lapua brass on my 6.5prc and 6.5cm.
I am very please with the loads. This is the Garmin Chrono for the 6.5prc, along with a couple of 100 yard targets.
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I reload for hunting but I do try to have a match load for fun. I’m currently on 14 firings with my ABM 308 brass. The brass has had a donut for a few firings now but I have a ton of Starline to replace it.
Nick, how does Starline compare to Hornady? I’ve gone through 5 firings on Hornady brass and haven’t found a load good enough that I’m willing to run with. So now I am fire-forming Starline brass to try load development next. Do I need to turn my eagerness down a few notches as I change brass from Hornady to Starline?
So I haven’t had enough firings on the Starline in 308 to give a good comparison. I got about 8 firings with Hornady and I’m on 2 for Starline.
For 6.5 grendel and 223, Starline all I use for the most part. I got better consistency with Starline and use hornady for foulers and plinking.
I just purchased a bunch of lapua. I think it was from midway. Price wasn’t much higher than Hornady. I’m happy with it.
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Yeah I just bought some of both
I run Lapua and Petersen out of my 26” Christensen Arm’s 6.5PRC. Both have proven to be great and primer pockets hold up well. I run Berger 156 EOL at 2,950fps. I recommend getting the Alex Wheeler reamer to fix the clicker problem. You can put a T-handle on the reamer and and gently fix the chamber. There are videos online on how to do it; very easy and worth it if you shoot a lot and want to get the most out of your rifle. I also have a custom target rifle shooting Berger 140 EOL at 3,070fps. Both rifles are truly sub 1/2” MOA. I’ve been able to put 5 shots in a 1” circle, Jims’ challenge, consistently.
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Never heard of the clicker problem, I’ll have to look into that. I just put a Bergara wilderness on layaway (to not piss off the wife, lol).
Haha, happy wife happy life. The clickers usually show up on the third reload once the brass expands enough and the sizing die can’t get it back to spec. Some chambers get lucky and never see it, but is a fairly common problem with factory 6.5 PRC’s. Good luck and shoot straight:)
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An interesting discussion with JVB and a Nosler rep about brass (and other Nosler stuff). They did discuss some of the potential pitfalls if you decide to switch your brass manufacturer out.
You can get a reamer from McMaster-Carr to remove the donut or load so the bearing surface doesn’t touch it. If it doesn’t interfere with seating depth, don’t worry about it…
I buy the norma ammo loaded because the 143 bond strike shoots outstanding and the golden target it’s just about as good. I have @ 50 to 60 fps difference between the 2 price is right and then i have decent brass. I’m not sure I’m saving much by reloading, but i like the 147 eldm. ( the peojectile not the loaded ammo) .
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