Looking for rifle brass

Steve Smith · October 12, 2000, 09:44 AM

I'm looking for .308 brass, but it looks like I might as well buy bulk loaded cartridges. Example: I can buy loaded IMI .308 cartridges at 1K for $168, but 1K of Winchester cases by themselves cost over $200. (roughly the same with Remington, and more for Federal, Laupa, Norma, and such). Is there a place to get cheap .308 cases, or should I just buy the IMI bulk?

BTW, is the IMI "mil-spec"?

Nacho · October 12, 2000, 11:32 AM

try www.southernbellebrass.com I have used them several times and their service is very good.

Cheapo · October 12, 2000, 11:43 AM

also try http://www.gibrass.com for once-fired USGI brass. That will be mil-spec.

Almost every item at GIBrass is genuine G.I. and they frequently have 7.62 stuff in stock.

Three caveats:
The G.I. cases have less internal capacity and run hotter pressures (sometimes even unsafe!) with powder charges developed for lighter commercial brass.

The SAAMI .308 chamber (and throat?) are a bit tighter than USGI. The differences *usually* do not make a difference...

SAAMI .308 is loaded to higher pressure than USGI specs. Internet rumor has it that this is only a problem with some really old bolt guns rechambered to 7.62 NATO, such as the Ishapore SMLEs. Otherwise, the enginered safety margin in the guns makes the 7.62 units strong enough to handle U.S. commercial .308 full-power loads.

hoosierboy · October 12, 2000, 11:53 AM

some of you guys are forgetting that ebay sometime has great deals there you might not know who you are dealing with but people are rated and have both good and bad feedback.

Of course its all at your own risk!

------------------
"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force."

--Ayn Rand, in "The Nature of Government"

http://hometown.aol.com//jsax13/web.html
Member NRA, GOA, JPFO, SAF, and CCRKBA.

WalterGAII · October 12, 2000, 05:26 PM

Scharch's has 100% processed (including trimming) .308 brass for $65 per thousand, shipped. The unprocessed is around $50 per thousand, shipped.

Johnny Guest · October 12, 2000, 08:50 PM

If the processed brass includes removing military primer crimp, that is DEFINITELY the way to go.

I have the RCBS primer pocket swedging tool but it is still a pain in the you-know.

Gut it up and size and trim and otherwise prepare ALL your brass so you're ready to load on a progressive press.

Best of luck,
Johnny

------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---

beemerb · October 12, 2000, 11:06 PM

Shotgun news allways has once fired brass advertised.Both military and nonmilitary.
1- 308 military once fired.35-1000 pus shipping.Jerry-405-284-6869
2-308 never fired,FN primed,59-1000.Pat
330-833-3843 or [email protected]
I have dealt with Pat before and was very pleased with product and service.

------------------
Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

Paul B. · October 13, 2000, 01:47 AM

Beemerb. I believe that FN brass may be Berdan primed. I picked up a bunch at the range, and they were all two holers.
Paul B.

Steve Smith · October 13, 2000, 10:57 AM

Does Scharch's have a web site or Ph#?

beemerb · October 13, 2000, 02:34 PM

Paul B;
I think I have seen it both ways.The only way to know on this stuff is to call.

------------------
Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

WalterGAII · October 13, 2000, 06:36 PM

The 100% processed does include de-crimping the primer pocket. Scharch's website is scharch.com. Their phone number is (800)836-4683. I've bought several thousand pieces of brass from them, and I'm a happy customer. One thing that I suggest is neck-sizing your brass, just to insure sufficient neck tension.

Steve Smith · October 13, 2000, 10:16 PM

Looks like I'll be calling Scharch's soon. Where in Colorado are they? I live in Co...maybe I could just go and pick it up.

WalterGAII · October 13, 2000, 10:39 PM

10325 C/R 120
Salida, CO 81201

Steve Smith · October 14, 2000, 12:07 AM

Oh, that's so cool! I think I might have to make a trip soon.

Does the military 100% processed brass have all the same headstamp?

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited October 14, 2000).]

October 12, 2000, 09:44 AM	#1
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I'm looking for .308 brass, but it looks like I might as well buy bulk loaded cartridges. Example: I can buy loaded IMI .308 cartridges at 1K for $168, but 1K of Winchester cases by themselves cost over $200. (roughly the same with Remington, and more for Federal, Laupa, Norma, and such). Is there a place to get cheap .308 cases, or should I just buy the IMI bulk? BTW, is the IMI "mil-spec"?

October 12, 2000, 11:32 AM	#2
Nacho Member Join Date: August 24, 2000 Posts: 17	try www.southernbellebrass.com I have used them several times and their service is very good.

October 12, 2000, 11:43 AM	#3
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	also try http://www.gibrass.com for once-fired USGI brass. That will be mil-spec. Almost every item at GIBrass is genuine G.I. and they frequently have 7.62 stuff in stock. Three caveats: The G.I. cases have less internal capacity and run hotter pressures (sometimes even unsafe!) with powder charges developed for lighter commercial brass. The SAAMI .308 chamber (and throat?) are a bit tighter than USGI. The differences usually do not make a difference... SAAMI .308 is loaded to higher pressure than USGI specs. Internet rumor has it that this is only a problem with some really old bolt guns rechambered to 7.62 NATO, such as the Ishapore SMLEs. Otherwise, the enginered safety margin in the guns makes the 7.62 units strong enough to handle U.S. commercial .308 full-power loads.

October 12, 2000, 11:53 AM	#4
hoosierboy Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 1999 Location: south bend, IN usa Posts: 475	some of you guys are forgetting that ebay sometime has great deals there you might not know who you are dealing with but people are rated and have both good and bad feedback. Of course its all at your own risk! ------------------ "We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force." --Ayn Rand, in "The Nature of Government" http://hometown.aol.com//jsax13/web.html Member NRA, GOA, JPFO, SAF, and CCRKBA.

October 12, 2000, 05:26 PM	#5
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	Scharch's has 100% processed (including trimming) .308 brass for $65 per thousand, shipped. The unprocessed is around $50 per thousand, shipped.

October 12, 2000, 08:50 PM	#6
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	If the processed brass includes removing military primer crimp, that is DEFINITELY the way to go. I have the RCBS primer pocket swedging tool but it is still a pain in the you-know. Gut it up and size and trim and otherwise prepare ALL your brass so you're ready to load on a progressive press. Best of luck, Johnny ------------------ ---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---

October 12, 2000, 11:06 PM	#7
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Shotgun news allways has once fired brass advertised.Both military and nonmilitary. 1- 308 military once fired.35-1000 pus shipping.Jerry-405-284-6869 2-308 never fired,FN primed,59-1000.Pat 330-833-3843 or [email protected] I have dealt with Pat before and was very pleased with product and service. ------------------ Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

October 13, 2000, 01:47 AM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Beemerb. I believe that FN brass may be Berdan primed. I picked up a bunch at the range, and they were all two holers. Paul B.

October 13, 2000, 10:57 AM	#9
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Does Scharch's have a web site or Ph#?

October 13, 2000, 02:34 PM	#10
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Paul B; I think I have seen it both ways.The only way to know on this stuff is to call. ------------------ Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

October 13, 2000, 06:36 PM	#11
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	The 100% processed does include de-crimping the primer pocket. Scharch's website is scharch.com. Their phone number is (800)836-4683. I've bought several thousand pieces of brass from them, and I'm a happy customer. One thing that I suggest is neck-sizing your brass, just to insure sufficient neck tension.

October 13, 2000, 10:16 PM	#12
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Looks like I'll be calling Scharch's soon. Where in Colorado are they? I live in Co...maybe I could just go and pick it up.

October 13, 2000, 10:39 PM	#13
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	10325 C/R 120 Salida, CO 81201

October 14, 2000, 12:07 AM	#14
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Oh, that's so cool! I think I might have to make a trip soon. Does the military 100% processed brass have all the same headstamp? [This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited October 14, 2000).]