HXP 85 Headstamp brass

chiefr · January 20, 2015, 11:39 PM

I was given a number of 303 British brass head stamped HXP 85. I noticed it was boxer primed. Has anybody reloaded this stuff before and is it any good?

I always NSO 303 brass.

mehavey · January 20, 2015, 11:42 PM

If 303 HXP is anything like their surplus 30-06 HXP sold by CMP, the brass is superb,

chiefr · January 21, 2015, 11:19 AM

I have seen HXP in 06, but never reloaded any. Thanks

wogpotter · January 21, 2015, 11:39 AM

***DROOL***
HXP .303 British is the best, better then RemChester & even better than PPU which is a close second.

**Mike Irwin** · January 21, 2015, 11:42 AM

HXP is, I believe, Greek manufactured and has a pretty good reputation.

**Unclenick** · January 21, 2015, 11:47 AM

HXP = Greek Powder and Cartridge Company, of Athens, Greece. Their 30-06 I have through the CMP seems to be as good as Lake City. Actual 70:30 brass made to military specifications.

chiefr · January 21, 2015, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the responses. I will reload it up this week.

Nick, I still have some LC 3006 brass from years past. I have reloaded this brass many times and I think it will outlast me.

**Unclenick** · January 21, 2015, 12:11 PM

The military, unlike SAAMI, has recommended hardness specs for different parts of the case. I think that overall control is helpful to the quality of the brass metal itself. Dimensionally it still doesn't keep up with Lapua, but then it doesn't cost nearly as much, either. And at the pressures we usually load for the Garand, if you anneal periodically and don't resize any further than you have to, that stuff should last through a lot of load cycles.

wogpotter · January 21, 2015, 04:18 PM

I dunno, mate .303 Brit in a Garand

Actually the HXP is made to spec as a lot of it was sold to the u.K. when they discovered they were running out of home-made .303.

**Unclenick** · January 21, 2015, 04:27 PM

Nice try getting that rim into the en block clips.

wogpotter · January 22, 2015, 08:44 AM

As my old boss used to say:
"Yes sir, ONCE!"

January 20, 2015, 11:39 PM	#1
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	HXP 85 Headstamp brass I was given a number of 303 British brass head stamped HXP 85. I noticed it was boxer primed. Has anybody reloaded this stuff before and is it any good? I always NSO 303 brass.

January 21, 2015, 11:39 AM	#4
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	*DROOL* HXP .303 British is the best, better then RemChester & even better than PPU which is a close second. Last edited by wogpotter; January 21, 2015 at 04:19 PM.

January 21, 2015, 11:42 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,431	HXP is, I believe, Greek manufactured and has a pretty good reputation. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 21, 2015, 11:47 AM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,130	HXP = Greek Powder and Cartridge Company, of Athens, Greece. Their 30-06 I have through the CMP seems to be as good as Lake City. Actual 70:30 brass made to military specifications. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 21, 2015, 12:11 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,130	The military, unlike SAAMI, has recommended hardness specs for different parts of the case. I think that overall control is helpful to the quality of the brass metal itself. Dimensionally it still doesn't keep up with Lapua, but then it doesn't cost nearly as much, either. And at the pressures we usually load for the Garand, if you anneal periodically and don't resize any further than you have to, that stuff should last through a lot of load cycles. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 20, 2015, 11:42 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,955	If 303 HXP is anything like their surplus 30-06 HXP sold by CMP, the brass is superb,

January 21, 2015, 11:19 AM	#3
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I have seen HXP in 06, but never reloaded any. Thanks

January 21, 2015, 12:06 PM	#7
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Thanks for the responses. I will reload it up this week. Nick, I still have some LC 3006 brass from years past. I have reloaded this brass many times and I think it will outlast me.

January 21, 2015, 04:18 PM	#9
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	I dunno, mate .303 Brit in a Garand Actually the HXP is made to spec as a lot of it was sold to the u.K. when they discovered they were running out of home-made .303.

January 21, 2015, 04:27 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,130	Nice try getting that rim into the en block clips. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 22, 2015, 08:44 AM	#11
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	As my old boss used to say: "Yes sir, ONCE!"