Best brass for handgun reloading...

adephue · June 29, 2006, 06:13 PM

TFL:

Let's formalize this in a poll. Anyone who handloads or used to, please vote so we can see where the majority of us fall. Let us know why you voted how you did!

**Unclenick** · June 29, 2006, 06:21 PM

Pretty much, for Rifles it is Lapua and Norma. I have measured .45 ACP in a number of brands, including military brass. Top Brass, made by Scharch is perhaps the most dimensionally consistent American-made pistol brass I've seen, with Starline close on its heels.

Nick

BigDog(RE) · June 29, 2006, 06:57 PM

Why wasn't Amerc listed! That is great stuff!

\sarcasm off

wixedmords · June 29, 2006, 07:24 PM

Federal fan here.

rwilson452 · June 29, 2006, 10:23 PM

As a general thing I checked Winchester. In specific for My 30-06 I have a lot of Mil Surp. Lake City brass that I think highly of. I also have a bunch of Mil Surp. .45ACP brass that I have reloaded countless times. Now if you loading 30-06 and come across brass marked LC Match. OH MY!

zeisloft · June 30, 2006, 08:10 AM

All seem to work well for my general day to day paper punching activities. I have tens of thousands of rounds of misc handgun brass that I have collected over the years, they all live together (seperated by cal ofcourse). I just scoop out what I need and load away, as they split, they get trashed. Probably 1 in 500 show fatigue, I throw them all in a bucket and when the bucket is full, I will seperate them out by headstamp, I have noticed no "real" trend. This is by no means a scientific method, but for general handgun shooting I dont notice much difference. If they will run a ragged 2-3" hole at 15 yds, thats good enough for me. I'm no kinda serious bullseye shooter, but those that are will have their own opinion.
~z

WESHOOT2 · July 2, 2006, 11:15 AM

45 ACP = IMI

41 Action Express = IMI (utterly unable to wear it out)

9x21 = GFL

38 Super = Remington nickeled

357 Magnum = hmmmm, Winchester

41/44/45 Colt = Remington (only because its thin walls allow more room -- KABOOM!); in fact I prefer R-P cases for much development work simply because they show pressure signs sooner.....

45 Colt = Federal (see they're finally offering it as a component)

I currently use lots.........

Ammo Junky · July 2, 2006, 11:36 AM

Handgun
1st starline
2nd winchester

semi auto handgun
once fired mixed, I never find it any way

rifle
1st winchester
2nd remington

semi auto rifle
wolf
reloaded lc brass and bulk bullets

silicon wolverine · July 5, 2006, 02:51 AM

My wheelguns and target guns get starline. my autos get winchester. my AKs get whatever i can lay my hands on that goes BOOM

SW

skeeter1 · July 5, 2006, 04:33 AM

I'm not picky about which brand of brass I get for .38/.357, but do not try reloading aluminum or steel shells. Those are meant to be cheap throw-aways, and should be regarded as such.

mjrodney · July 5, 2006, 04:35 AM

I'm in tune with Zeisloft on this one.

Range pickups go in a (handgun) caliber specific bucket, random selection come reload time.

The plan is to shoot them until they split, but so far that's never happened; likely due to the sheer and growing number in the bucket and the "soft" target loads I use.

My favorite brand is "FREE".

willsjeep · July 7, 2006, 02:50 PM

I said Winchester simply because that is what I buy when I have to. Most of the time I use what ever friends may have saved for me. It all gets looked over for problems though.
Will

azredhawk44 · July 7, 2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

My favorite brand is "FREE".

+1

View Poll Results: Who makes the best brass for handgun reloading?
Hornady	1	1.79%
Magtech	0	0%
Remington	2	3.57%
Speer	2	3.57%
Starline	28	50.00%
Winchester	14	25.00%
Other - please specify...	2	3.57%
Doesn't matter, all brass is equal!	7	12.50%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

June 29, 2006, 06:13 PM	#1
adephue Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Keystone State Posts: 96	Best brass for handgun reloading... TFL: Let's formalize this in a poll. Anyone who handloads or used to, please vote so we can see where the majority of us fall. Let us know why you voted how you did!

June 29, 2006, 06:21 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Pretty much, for Rifles it is Lapua and Norma. I have measured .45 ACP in a number of brands, including military brass. Top Brass, made by Scharch is perhaps the most dimensionally consistent American-made pistol brass I've seen, with Starline close on its heels. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 29, 2006, 06:57 PM	#3
BigDog(RE) Member Join Date: January 16, 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 41	Amerc FTW! Why wasn't Amerc listed! That is great stuff! \sarcasm off

June 29, 2006, 07:24 PM	#4
wixedmords Member Join Date: April 30, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 45	Federal fan here. __________________ Live free or die isn't just a motto.

June 29, 2006, 10:23 PM	#5
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	best brass? As a general thing I checked Winchester. In specific for My 30-06 I have a lot of Mil Surp. Lake City brass that I think highly of. I also have a bunch of Mil Surp. .45ACP brass that I have reloaded countless times. Now if you loading 30-06 and come across brass marked LC Match. OH MY!

June 30, 2006, 08:10 AM	#6
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	All seem to work well for my general day to day paper punching activities. I have tens of thousands of rounds of misc handgun brass that I have collected over the years, they all live together (seperated by cal ofcourse). I just scoop out what I need and load away, as they split, they get trashed. Probably 1 in 500 show fatigue, I throw them all in a bucket and when the bucket is full, I will seperate them out by headstamp, I have noticed no "real" trend. This is by no means a scientific method, but for general handgun shooting I dont notice much difference. If they will run a ragged 2-3" hole at 15 yds, thats good enough for me. I'm no kinda serious bullseye shooter, but those that are will have their own opinion. ~z __________________ A scalpel can be just as effective as a broadsword Obviously, Occam was not a reloader

July 2, 2006, 11:15 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	bests 45 ACP = IMI 41 Action Express = IMI (utterly unable to wear it out) 9x21 = GFL 38 Super = Remington nickeled 357 Magnum = hmmmm, Winchester 41/44/45 Colt = Remington (only because its thin walls allow more room -- KABOOM!); in fact I prefer R-P cases for much development work simply because they show pressure signs sooner..... 45 Colt = Federal (see they're finally offering it as a component) I currently use lots......... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 2, 2006, 11:36 AM	#8
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	Handgun 1st starline 2nd winchester semi auto handgun once fired mixed, I never find it any way rifle 1st winchester 2nd remington semi auto rifle wolf reloaded lc brass and bulk bullets __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.

July 5, 2006, 02:51 AM	#9
silicon wolverine Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2006 Location: South dakota Posts: 674	My wheelguns and target guns get starline. my autos get winchester. my AKs get whatever i can lay my hands on that goes BOOM SW

July 5, 2006, 04:33 AM	#10
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	I'm not picky about which brand of brass I get for .38/.357, but do not try reloading aluminum or steel shells. Those are meant to be cheap throw-aways, and should be regarded as such.

July 5, 2006, 04:35 AM	#11
mjrodney Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 435	I'm in tune with Zeisloft on this one. Range pickups go in a (handgun) caliber specific bucket, random selection come reload time. The plan is to shoot them until they split, but so far that's never happened; likely due to the sheer and growing number in the bucket and the "soft" target loads I use. My favorite brand is "FREE". __________________ Proud supporter of the NRA

July 7, 2006, 02:50 PM	#12
willsjeep Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2005 Posts: 180	I said Winchester simply because that is what I buy when I have to. Most of the time I use what ever friends may have saved for me. It all gets looked over for problems though. Will