Casing mfg's -- does it matter

Lilswede1 · September 22, 2008, 11:29 PM

Maybe its just me, usually is.
Do different casing mfg's (Lake City, WCC, Win etc) and different years affect the trajectory of the bullet.
If all else is the same, case length, OAL, powder, bullet and all the cases have been prepped the exact same should the reloaded ammo shoot the same?

Stumper · September 23, 2008, 12:10 AM

Case manufacturer and lot do matter...maybe. Different case lots often have different internal capacity. They may also vary in the tension the neck places on the bullet due to different brass hardness. Therefore different cases mixed in your bloads can introduce variables and decrease ballistic uniformity. However, if loads are not hot the difference seldom will create any unsafe loads and under field conditions most of us can't shoot well enough to notice minor ballistic and accuracy differences.

**Unclenick** · September 23, 2008, 09:23 AM

In 1992, the U.S. hosted the Palma match. Winchester created a special semi-balloon head case for the .308 for that event that had about 3 grains more water capacity than the usual .308 case. They later adopted it as their standard .308 case design. If you take a load developed in a military case, which is generally pretty small on powder capacity, then charge a Winchester case with it, you will see quite a drop in peak pressure and muzzle velocity. At long range you will easily see the trajectory difference. Other brands of cases fall in between Winchester and military cases.

Magnum Wheel Man · September 23, 2008, 09:33 AM

different manufacturers may have different thicknesses of brass ( especially true between military brass & commercial brass ), & may use different alloys ( some may be more brittle, & split case necks easier )... all of this can effect actual case capacity

also you can run into cases that have large & small primer holes, which can also greatly effect accuracy with different powders...

even on cartridges that I'm not concerned about target accuracy, that I might load from recycled range brass, I wll seperate them by brand, & if Idon't have at least 20 ( rifle ), or 50 ( handgun ), I'll either save them, until I have enough, or send them to the scrap pail...

WESHOOT2 · September 23, 2008, 11:29 AM

(even in the 9x19 it matters)

dardascastbullets · September 23, 2008, 12:33 PM

Hi Swede,
The manufacturer of the case does have a large bearing on accuracy. The concentricity of the case from the base up to the neck has a huge importance in how well it will perform (especially at long ranges). Poor quality cases will show thickness runouts far in excess what is tolerable for accurate loads. Some cannot even be corrected as far as the neck is concerned.

Matt Dardas
Dardas Cast Bullets
www.dardascastbullets.webs.com

September 22, 2008, 11:29 PM	#1
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	Casing mfg's -- does it matter Maybe its just me, usually is. Do different casing mfg's (Lake City, WCC, Win etc) and different years affect the trajectory of the bullet. If all else is the same, case length, OAL, powder, bullet and all the cases have been prepped the exact same should the reloaded ammo shoot the same?

September 23, 2008, 12:10 AM	#2
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	Case manufacturer and lot do matter...maybe. Different case lots often have different internal capacity. They may also vary in the tension the neck places on the bullet due to different brass hardness. Therefore different cases mixed in your bloads can introduce variables and decrease ballistic uniformity. However, if loads are not hot the difference seldom will create any unsafe loads and under field conditions most of us can't shoot well enough to notice minor ballistic and accuracy differences. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

September 23, 2008, 09:23 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	In 1992, the U.S. hosted the Palma match. Winchester created a special semi-balloon head case for the .308 for that event that had about 3 grains more water capacity than the usual .308 case. They later adopted it as their standard .308 case design. If you take a load developed in a military case, which is generally pretty small on powder capacity, then charge a Winchester case with it, you will see quite a drop in peak pressure and muzzle velocity. At long range you will easily see the trajectory difference. Other brands of cases fall in between Winchester and military cases. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 23, 2008, 09:33 AM	#4
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	different manufacturers may have different thicknesses of brass ( especially true between military brass & commercial brass ), & may use different alloys ( some may be more brittle, & split case necks easier )... all of this can effect actual case capacity also you can run into cases that have large & small primer holes, which can also greatly effect accuracy with different powders... even on cartridges that I'm not concerned about target accuracy, that I might load from recycled range brass, I wll seperate them by brand, & if Idon't have at least 20 ( rifle ), or 50 ( handgun ), I'll either save them, until I have enough, or send them to the scrap pail... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

September 23, 2008, 11:29 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	demonstrated (even in the 9x19 it matters) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 23, 2008, 12:33 PM	#6
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Case Manufacturer Does Matter! Hi Swede, The manufacturer of the case does have a large bearing on accuracy. The concentricity of the case from the base up to the neck has a huge importance in how well it will perform (especially at long ranges). Poor quality cases will show thickness runouts far in excess what is tolerable for accurate loads. Some cannot even be corrected as far as the neck is concerned. Matt Dardas Dardas Cast Bullets www.dardascastbullets.webs.com