Author Topic: Highest quality pistol brass? (Read 25162 times)

THE NORSEMAN · « **on:** October 22, 2008, 01:15:57 pm »

In my experience reloading 10s of thousands of rounds for pistols over the last 2 decades I've formed some pretty strong opinions on this subject. So if you're just wanting to start out and wondering which brass to buy?

Quality, with 1 being best, and 5 being worst:

1. Star line
2. Federal
3. Winchester
4. Speer
5. Remington

Numbers 3 and 4 are basically neck-and-neck, I just put winchester higher because it's usually easier to find. Any of the top four will serve you well. Remington is junk, IMNSHO. I have had nothing but problems with it. I finally grew tired enough of it I dumped all my remington pistol brass in buckets and turned it in at the scrap yard.

The above information is posted for your use. It is my opinion only, YMMV. But I doubt it will vary by much if you load a bunch.

WeTheArmed.com

Pat-inCO · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2008, 02:33:10 pm »

The primary difference, that I see, is the Starline is noticeably harder. The Remington is very soft.

I've not had "problems" with any, just the Remington "wears out" sooner.

I got my supply of Remington the Christmas before last. The .45ACP were on sale at $8.99 per box of 50. I bought a bunch.

txgho1911 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2008, 08:26:50 pm »

In todays market nothing should get tossed. Rem is gold if you compare it to amerc brass.
If you run S&B factory ammo the primer pockets may feel snug but it loads as reliably for me as starline and rem. I have a few thousand cbc stamped magtech (Fabrique AU Bresil) that cycles rough and will only live to hit steel or paper. Nothing dependable. Not sure how the brass will treat me.
S&B factory loaded ammo I think is the best value in boxed ammo. May last a while to with sealed primers.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2008, 12:28:05 am »

Agreed. Amerc IS scrap, right out of the box. The remington stuff I tossed had a few loads under its belt, and was wore out(some on the first reload). It just wore out so fast that I've never acquired it since.

The little S&B brass I get I give away. I don't like their primer pockets. Too tight to mess with for me. Crunched one too many primers, even when using a hand priming tool.

Dustinthewind · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2008, 09:10:55 am »

My favorite brass is Federal, but I also use Winchester, Remington, Speer, Hornady and a few other brands that I have picked up at the range. I have yet to try Starline although I have heard good reviews. That being said, I have more Remington brass than any other brand. A friend of mine has was getting 55 gallon drums of Remington once fired brass that the factory used for testing purposes and he let me in on the deal.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2008, 09:29:19 am »

A note- A good source of federal brass is to buy their American Eagle line, and "empty" it at the range so you may load it properly.

Bozo · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2008, 09:30:50 am »

I have not seen any problems with remington brass but then I do not really count the times I load each case. I get my brass from what little loaded ammo i might buy or have on hand from years ago. I also have a few friends I shoot with who do not reload and give me their brass. So I use all kinds of brass, some pickups from the range, although I am a bit fussy about that. So I guess you would say I am a scournger and cheap. I have never bought any brass. However, I will not load amerc.

von_krag · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2008, 07:37:41 pm »

I mostly reload .45 apc. I've found over the years R-P nickel plated then Starline plated work the best for me. YMMV

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2008, 10:52:07 pm »

A note on remington pistol brass-

I had some remington nickel 357 brass from the 70's, it took 13 full snort loads before case mouths started to split. But any I have used that was produced later than that has been junk across the board.

Al Norris · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2008, 09:55:15 am »

Bought my first handgun in '97, but didn't really start shooting until '99. Before I started to handload, I saved all my brass. Along the way, I've acquired several pistols and started handloading just after Christmas of '05.

So, I'm still pretty new to the hobby. Most of what reload is 9mm and 44. With over 5K of 9mm brass, it might be a while before I buy any brass for that caliber. I've had to buy more 44 and 357 brass, as I just didn't have enough "laying" around. With those caveats in mind...

I agree with the list Norseman put up. Starline is the best for all around reliability and consistency. Speer, Remington and S&B fall into the bottom of my list - S&B because of their (under SAAMI spec?) primer pockets.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2008, 01:31:04 pm »

Another maker I haven't mentioned yet-

Top Brass. Read good things about them<insert jaundiced eye here>. So I bought some to try out. Just haven't had the time to really load them enough to form an opinion. But so far they are holding up fine.

Al Norris · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2008, 07:28:01 pm »

I bought 100 pieces of TopBrass and 100 pieces of MagTech, both in .44rm last spring.

So far, I'm on my 4th reloading of both (but only 25pcs of each)... OK, I'm using extra heavy loads (in both) just to see how fast they wear out. So far, the TopBrass seems to be on par with Star, while the MagTech is starting to show signs of wear - tossed 3 pieces from the last shooting, as the primer pockets were enlarged.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2008, 07:52:34 pm »

Excellent. Like I said, I'm impressed with it myself so far. Keep us posted on your progress.

Dustinthewind · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2008, 10:36:24 pm »

I picked up some of my favorite brass today the Free kind! The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has had our range rented out for the last week. Someone had already absconded with most of the .308 :'( but they left the 9mm, .40, and .45 for me.

. I filled a bucket in no time at all. The KBI had even raked up a bunch of it and dumped it in the trash, Wait for it..... Yes I did dive in the dumpster. I have no shame when it comes to free brass.

Al Norris · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2008, 01:19:07 am »

Quote from: Dustinthewind on October 24, 2008, 10:36:24 pm

I picked up some of my favorite brass today the Free kind!

Always the best kind.

Quote

Someone had already absconded with most of the .308 :'( but they left the 9mm, .40, and .45 for me. . I filled a bucket in no time at all. The KBI had even raked up a bunch of it and dumped it in the trash,

MY "range" is open desert just a few miles north of where I live. Came back last Sunday with a coulpe hundred more 9mm and about 50 45 LC. If this keeps up, gonna have to buy another handgun!

Dustinthewind · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2008, 09:54:07 am »

Quote

If this keeps up, gonna have to buy another handgun! Grin

If you're talking about a .45 Colt, I would highly recommend it. .45 Colt is my all time favorite handgun cartridge.

Al Norris · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2008, 10:06:35 am »

Yup.

45LC = 45 Colt

In the past 6 months, I've collected about 300 pieces of 45LC brass. Somebody out here doesn't reload!

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:45:32 pm »

Al- I'll PM you my shipping address. Thanks for the support!

Blackeagle603 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2008, 10:33:52 pm »

+1 to the 45 Colt. Picked up a 5 1/2" used old model Vaquero last year on whim. Condition and price were to good to pass up.

Thought I'd play with it, introduce my son to SA and then maybe unload it/move on -- didn't expect to get completely hooked on 45 Colt. It's a hoot to reload for too. The wide range of bullets is remarkable (esp in the Old Model Vaquero which can handle some hotter loads).

The 200 gr RNFP poppers are fun for introducing youngun's and newbies to big bore SA.
The 255gr SWC and 240gr JHP are great for social work.
I've got some hardcast 315 gr SWC's just waiting to be made into bear&zombie loads.

farnorthdan · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2008, 05:28:58 pm »

I'd have to vote for the Starline myself. I just order 500 cases of .10mm...man is that some pretty stuff, well made and uniform throughout...

DS

CAJUN 48 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2008, 06:38:48 pm »

Hi guys,
Just getting started in reloading. I'll be loading 45acp. Have about 500 Winchester
and about 400 in CCI Blazer Brass and another 100 or so mixed Federal, remington,fiocchi, cbc. Except for the Federal any of the mix brass worth keeping?
ajb cajun 48

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #21 on:** November 20, 2008, 10:35:35 pm »

Cajun-

EXCEPT the remington, I'd keep it all. Check the CBC primer pockets before you process them all though. In some calibers they have the annoying habit of running just a bit small.

Antibubba · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2008, 07:17:19 pm »

Cajun, the CBC is Magtech, and it's very nice brass. I've found it cleans better than most other brands (I wet-clean my cases).

CAJUN 48 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 25, 2008, 06:27:50 pm »

norseman and antibubba,
Thanks for the info on the brass. Will put the remington to good use (setting up
my press and for lining the bottom of my round file).

Stay safe! ajb

K.W. · « **Reply #24 on:** December 28, 2008, 06:22:38 am »

My list:

1. Lapua
2. Sako

3. Star Line