What is the cheapest factory revolver ammo that uses decent brass?

Doyle · August 7, 2015, 12:40 PM

Looking at the price of new and once-fired brass for .357 and .44 mag got me thinking that I'd probably be better off just to buy a bunch of the cheaper ammo factory ammo, shoot it, and salvage the brass. I know that Armscorp is considered "iffy" both as loaded ammo and brass. PPU is supposed to be good brass. Magtech can be good or iffy depending on who you ask.

Who, in your opinion, makes the lowest priced factory loads that will still give you decent reloadable brass?

anothernewb · August 7, 2015, 12:56 PM

blazer brass is decent brass. fairly cheap if bought in bulk.

mine have survived several reloads with 16.5gr of H110.

Nick_C_S · August 7, 2015, 04:01 PM

Blazer Brass was the first brand that popped in my head too.

Personally, when I buy bulk ammo for the brass, I spring for Winchester White Box. IMO, Winchester has the best brass for reloading.

Doyle · August 7, 2015, 04:08 PM

I agree with Winchester being good brass but dang, Win is up to about $1 per bang. That's getting pretty steep just buy for the brass.

Nick_C_S · August 7, 2015, 06:18 PM

Quote:

That's getting pretty steep just to buy for the brass.

Well you're getting a loaded round too

I know WWB ammo isn't without its criticism. But I personally find it to be excellent ammo in the bulk/economy category.

Blazer Bass is good too. CCI is reputable, without doubt.

FrankenMauser · August 7, 2015, 11:29 PM

Magtech (CBC) revolver brass is pretty decent.

Pathfinder45 · August 8, 2015, 12:00 AM

For factory ammo to reuse the brass, I prefer Winchester and Federal. If I'm buying new brass, I like Starline. 45 Colt, of course.

reddog81 · August 8, 2015, 01:14 AM

I have had good luck with Blazer. I just shot 50 rounds today that have been loaded 18 times. Probably 25% have been .357 and 75% 38 special loads. I know that's not a lot of .357's but still that brass hasn't had one case crack.
I've had problems with Winchester being too large for my shell holder.

Shootest · August 8, 2015, 04:38 PM

I would go with new Starline brass.
shipping is free
Quoted from web

Quote:

357 Mag Brass (Magnum Small Pistol primer)

357 Magnum Brass, 357 Mag Brass, 357 Brass, 357 Smith & Wesson Mag Brass, 357 S&W Mag Brass, .357 Mag Brass
1.275 - 1.285 O.A.L.
357 Mag Brass: Basically a lengthened version of the .38 special, the 357 Magnum is one of the most popular handgun calibers in the world. Almost every revolver manufacturer makes a firearm in this chambering. Also used in many lever action carbines. 357 Magnum Brass.

Box Size: 500 ($80.00) • 1000 ($135.50)
Status: Available Now

Quote:

44 Mag Brass (Large Pistol primer)

44 Magnum Brass, 44 Remington Magnum Brass, 44 Rem Mag Brass
1.270 - 1.280 O.A.L.
44 MAG Brass: The most powerful commercial handgun cartridge for several years, the .44 Magnum is still one of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world. Almost every major handgun manufacturer produces a firearm in this caliber. It is also available in carbine form from many rifle manufacturers. 44 Magnum Brass.

Box Size: 500 ($101.00) • 1000 ($176.00)
Status: Available Now

https://www.starlinebrass.com/order-.../all-cases.cfm

std7mag · August 9, 2015, 07:04 AM

While I have found that pretty much all factory cartridges shoot fairly well, for the price, and reload standpoint of the brass I pretty much go for.
1) Remington
2) PVRI (head stamped PPU)
Not necessarely in that order.

Not sure how the Federal works for pistol (straight walled), but I have found that for bottle necked rifle I have to trim more often, and take more off than with other brands.

Longshot4 · August 9, 2015, 08:21 AM

I would just stay away from aluminum and steel brass.
Always carefully inspect all brass for damage.

indie_rocker · August 9, 2015, 09:50 AM

Blazer has been great brass in 9mm format for me. Has held up to many many reloads, some pretty stout. I would imagine their 357mag would hold up just as well.

I use Starline brass for my 357mag reloads though. They are a great company to deal with and make a solid product.

mikld · August 9, 2015, 11:08 AM

I can't say I've run into any really "bad" brass (but I've read about Americ [sp?]). I have not purchased much factory ammo in the last 20 years, mebbe 8-10 boxes total, and have reloaded all with no outstanding problems. Some brass has it's quirks (PP has little chamfer on primer pocket mouths and some times a bit harder to insert primers), but all has been reloadable...

stubbicatt · August 10, 2015, 08:16 AM

I dunno. I just bought 200 new 357 magnum Starline cases from Amazon. I think they were $15 per hundred. They work really well.

TimSr · August 10, 2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Looking at the price of new and once-fired brass for .357 and .44 mag got me thinking that I'd probably be better off just to buy a bunch of the cheaper ammo factory ammo, shoot it, and salvage the brass.

I've always done this. Can't see paying more for brass than loaded ammo. This is especially true with some rifle rounds. I used to buy Hansen rifle ammo to reload.

For common caliber pistol rounds you can often buy it cheap from indoor ranges, and for revolver rounds, I've found full boxes of spent brass in range trash cans.

bfoosh006 · August 10, 2015, 02:59 PM

Those Starline prices are pretty good.

You might also consider "Pulldown" brass... RMRBullets has some Fed. primed pulldown for $57 / 250 plus shipping. It is virgin brass, just dismantled for resale.

NOTE; I do not reload .357, so I do not know if Fed. .357 brass is "good" or not.

Anyway... you might look for some other pulldown or once fired brass as well.

http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/357-M...-1-Pul-250.htm

Doyle · August 10, 2015, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the link. I'd never heard of anyone selling pull-down brass before. Interesting concept. That gets in at 22.8 cents per round primed. If you consider primers worth about .04 each (shipped price) then this new brass is costing right at 19 cents each.

BrokenBottles · August 10, 2015, 04:48 PM

Factory new ammo with good brass in 357(or a decent amount of handgun calibers)?
For me, that would be LAX AMMO ( laxammo.com ) Their new ammo is factory new using Starline brass and Xtreme plated bullets. For 250 rounds of .357MAG it's $80. I've heard Xtreme bullets were iffy but the rounds have always been good in mine and my friends guns.

bungiex88 · August 13, 2015, 11:34 AM

That perfecta doesn't seem to bad

Doyle · August 13, 2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

That perfecta doesn't seem to bad

I agree, but Perfecta isn't making revolver ammo right now that I've seen. I've seen Perfect rifle ammo in .223 and pistol ammo in the usual flavors but no revolver ammo.

Misssissippi Dave · August 13, 2015, 11:13 PM

Winchester, Federal, Remington, Blazer, and RWS brass have all held up pretty well so far. I don't have enough of the others to tell if they are good or bad. Starline so far has been the best. I bought 1000 pieces of .357 mag brass and not a single problem. The Blazer brass I have is only in .38 special and not .357. I don't load to max levels and of the non Starline brass they have held up to at least 20 reloads so far. Pick one of these with the best price and you should be fine. A crack can always happen with any of them eventually.

Radny97 · August 14, 2015, 02:07 AM

I just bought some new, not reman, ammo from freedom munitions in 357 mag and 45 colt. They came loaded in starline brass.

Pond, James Pond · August 14, 2015, 05:39 AM

In .44Mag I've reloaded S&B factory brass with no issues per se. I did get some split-from-the-mouth cases when first getting into reloading: either from charge weights that were starting to push the envelope or from an excessive crimp. Aside from that, no issues.

In .38Spl I have reused my own and any range scraps found. The former has again been S&B and the latter both S&B and Geco. No issues there except for very occasional rims that seem to stick in case holders as if they were a fraction of a mm too wide or thick.

Those two brands have served me well considering they were free once the factory bullet had left the barrel.

kerreckt · August 14, 2015, 06:43 AM

S&B and PPU are two lower cost factory ammo with good reloadable brass.

boondocker385 · August 14, 2015, 10:18 AM

I have recently started reloading some armscorp 357 that was factory new ammo. No issues through 100 roads reloaded and shot.

August 7, 2015, 12:40 PM	#1
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	What is the cheapest factory revolver ammo that uses decent brass? Looking at the price of new and once-fired brass for .357 and .44 mag got me thinking that I'd probably be better off just to buy a bunch of the cheaper ammo factory ammo, shoot it, and salvage the brass. I know that Armscorp is considered "iffy" both as loaded ammo and brass. PPU is supposed to be good brass. Magtech can be good or iffy depending on who you ask. Who, in your opinion, makes the lowest priced factory loads that will still give you decent reloadable brass?

August 7, 2015, 04:01 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	Blazer Brass was the first brand that popped in my head too. Personally, when I buy bulk ammo for the brass, I spring for Winchester White Box. IMO, Winchester has the best brass for reloading. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 7, 2015, 11:29 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Magtech (CBC) revolver brass is pretty decent. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 9, 2015, 11:08 AM	#13
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I can't say I've run into any really "bad" brass (but I've read about Americ [sp?]). I have not purchased much factory ammo in the last 20 years, mebbe 8-10 boxes total, and have reloaded all with no outstanding problems. Some brass has it's quirks (PP has little chamfer on primer pocket mouths and some times a bit harder to insert primers), but all has been reloadable... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

August 10, 2015, 04:48 PM	#18
BrokenBottles Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: The worst Lancaster in the U.S. Posts: 119	Factory new ammo with good brass in 357(or a decent amount of handgun calibers)? For me, that would be LAX AMMO ( laxammo.com ) Their new ammo is factory new using Starline brass and Xtreme plated bullets. For 250 rounds of .357MAG it's $80. I've heard Xtreme bullets were iffy but the rounds have always been good in mine and my friends guns. __________________ "Lube the hell out of your Llama. Run it wet and it should be a decent pistol."

August 7, 2015, 12:56 PM	#2
anothernewb Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2012 Location: West Central MN Posts: 143	blazer brass is decent brass. fairly cheap if bought in bulk. mine have survived several reloads with 16.5gr of H110.

August 7, 2015, 04:08 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I agree with Winchester being good brass but dang, Win is up to about $1 per bang. That's getting pretty steep just buy for the brass.

August 8, 2015, 12:00 AM	#7
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	For factory ammo to reuse the brass, I prefer Winchester and Federal. If I'm buying new brass, I like Starline. 45 Colt, of course.

August 8, 2015, 01:14 AM	#8
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	I have had good luck with Blazer. I just shot 50 rounds today that have been loaded 18 times. Probably 25% have been .357 and 75% 38 special loads. I know that's not a lot of .357's but still that brass hasn't had one case crack. I've had problems with Winchester being too large for my shell holder.

August 9, 2015, 07:04 AM	#10
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	While I have found that pretty much all factory cartridges shoot fairly well, for the price, and reload standpoint of the brass I pretty much go for. 1) Remington 2) PVRI (head stamped PPU) Not necessarely in that order. Not sure how the Federal works for pistol (straight walled), but I have found that for bottle necked rifle I have to trim more often, and take more off than with other brands.

August 9, 2015, 08:21 AM	#11
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I would just stay away from aluminum and steel brass. Always carefully inspect all brass for damage.

August 9, 2015, 09:50 AM	#12
indie_rocker Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 189	Blazer has been great brass in 9mm format for me. Has held up to many many reloads, some pretty stout. I would imagine their 357mag would hold up just as well. I use Starline brass for my 357mag reloads though. They are a great company to deal with and make a solid product.

August 10, 2015, 08:16 AM	#14
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	I dunno. I just bought 200 new 357 magnum Starline cases from Amazon. I think they were $15 per hundred. They work really well.

August 10, 2015, 02:59 PM	#16
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	Those Starline prices are pretty good. You might also consider "Pulldown" brass... RMRBullets has some Fed. primed pulldown for $57 / 250 plus shipping. It is virgin brass, just dismantled for resale. NOTE; I do not reload .357, so I do not know if Fed. .357 brass is "good" or not. Anyway... you might look for some other pulldown or once fired brass as well. http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/357-M...-1-Pul-250.htm

August 10, 2015, 03:11 PM	#17
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Thanks for the link. I'd never heard of anyone selling pull-down brass before. Interesting concept. That gets in at 22.8 cents per round primed. If you consider primers worth about .04 each (shipped price) then this new brass is costing right at 19 cents each.

August 13, 2015, 11:34 AM	#19
bungiex88 Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2015 Location: central pa Posts: 264	That perfecta doesn't seem to bad __________________ Life is to short to give a darn

August 13, 2015, 11:13 PM	#21
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	Winchester, Federal, Remington, Blazer, and RWS brass have all held up pretty well so far. I don't have enough of the others to tell if they are good or bad. Starline so far has been the best. I bought 1000 pieces of .357 mag brass and not a single problem. The Blazer brass I have is only in .38 special and not .357. I don't load to max levels and of the non Starline brass they have held up to at least 20 reloads so far. Pick one of these with the best price and you should be fine. A crack can always happen with any of them eventually. __________________ Views and opinions I express are not those of my employer or any of their customers.

August 14, 2015, 02:07 AM	#22
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	I just bought some new, not reman, ammo from freedom munitions in 357 mag and 45 colt. They came loaded in starline brass.

August 14, 2015, 05:39 AM	#23
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	In .44Mag I've reloaded S&B factory brass with no issues per se. I did get some split-from-the-mouth cases when first getting into reloading: either from charge weights that were starting to push the envelope or from an excessive crimp. Aside from that, no issues. In .38Spl I have reused my own and any range scraps found. The former has again been S&B and the latter both S&B and Geco. No issues there except for very occasional rims that seem to stick in case holders as if they were a fraction of a mm too wide or thick. Those two brands have served me well considering they were free once the factory bullet had left the barrel. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

August 14, 2015, 06:43 AM	#24
kerreckt Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2011 Location: SE VA. Posts: 216	S&B and PPU are two lower cost factory ammo with good reloadable brass.

August 14, 2015, 10:18 AM	#25
boondocker385 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 640	I have recently started reloading some armscorp 357 that was factory new ammo. No issues through 100 roads reloaded and shot. __________________ No second place finishes in a gun fight.