Norma or Lapua brass in factory ammo

[Popeye212]

I need to buy 100 rnds. for break in. I read somewhere that either Wolf, or one the others uses Lapua or Norma brass. Anyone know if that is true and who is it. Have done some research and it seems Hornady brass has shorter life and Federal primer pockets get loose. I previously stuck with Winchester brass loaded a few others but went back to the Win.brass. Been out of it for a while since I gave my press and all my gear to my son. I would like to start off with some good brass the press and the rest will follow after I finish this build and get the barrel broken in.
Thanks in advance

[Randy99CL]

Lapua and Norma unprimed cases are normally around $1 per piece so any loaded ammo will be $$$$. I believe Alexander Arms uses Lapua brass with some of their loads and they're around $30 for a box of 20.

Hornady is the popular choice here. Some handloaders are getting 10-12 reloads in their cases.

[VASCAR2]

Alexander Arms used to load their ammo in AA marked Lapua brass. Alexander Arms has since started using Hornady brass. Precision Firearms was using brass from Lapua for their ammunition but supposedly are switching from Lapua because of price and availability. I have some 264 LBC ammunition sold by Les Baer loaded by Black Hills which used 123 grain SMK and Lapua brass. Les Baer still sells ammo loaded by Black Hills but last I checked they were now using Hornady brass.

I have Wolf Gold 6.5 Grendel ammo which is loaded in PPU brass by Prvi Partizan manufactured in Serbia.

I've never seen factory Nosler ammunition in 6.5 Grendel but it is rumored that Nosler 6.5 Grendel brass is manufactured by Norma.

Night Ops sell a couple of 6.5 Grendel loads but last I checked they were using Hornady brass. It'll be interesting to see how the Starline brass does and whether it will be used by ammunition manufacturers.

I have not used any Federal 6.5 Grendel ammunition but it sounds like Federals brass is inferior to Hornady brass.

[Popeye212]

I looked for PPU they recalled ALL their Grendel ammo citing pressure problems in varying chambers. Looks like the choice is buy a 100 ct. Hornady 90 gr. it's the cheapest I have found for starters and order Starline brass. Wolf Gold not showing up on ammoseek or ammograb. Might be related to the PPU issue. I think the Wolf Gold and PPU might the ones using Norma brass if that is true then the problem was probably not the rifles but in the loading they used. To avoid court time blame the rifles. 10-12 reloads is encouraging, my son said he was getting 4-5 out his but he is in Utah doing long range competition with a 6.5 Creedmore and .300 Win. So I would imagine his loads are probably on the strong side. I grew out of the "strong side" a good while back.
More comments welcome

[NugginFutz]

If you can source it, the American Gunner ammunition from Hornady is a steal of a deal. Available at Sportsman's Warehouse locations (or online), you can get factory loaded ammunition, shoot it, and be rewarded with fire formed brass, all for mere pennies more than the cost of new, empty brass.

If you're lucky, you might catch the stuff on sale again, where some of us got 200 rounds for $100 with free shipping.

[Popeye212]

If you can source it, the American Gunner ammunition from Hornady is a steal of a deal. Available at Sportsman's Warehouse locations (or online), you can get factory loaded ammunition, shoot it, and be rewarded with fire formed brass, all for mere pennies more than the cost of new, empty brass.

If you're lucky, you might catch the stuff on sale again, where some of us got 200 rounds for $100 with free shipping.

I'll keep an eye on that one Thanks

[ricsmall]

The hornady is fine brass. I’ve lost load counts on mine and have yet to throw any out. The starline should be good brass. The nosler is made by Norma, and pricey. Like nuggin said, the American gunner is a great value for reclaimed brass. The Lapua may still be available in places but for the most part has dried up. If you can’t find the American gunner ammo, check midsouth shooters supply, as they have sales quite often on the hornady brass.

[StoneHendge]

I'm about as anti Big Red as one can get. Never bothered with their brass in other calibers. Can never get any of their bullets to shoot no matter what -be they pistol or rifle. Both my Grendel's shoot Hornady Black extremely well. I'm through 5 firings on close to 400 pieces of brass and it's still going strong. When I started with grendel others here said give it a try and I'm happy I did. As a side note, I'm a pretty big Norma fan. I shot a case of 130 gr Norma Match breaking in my 6.5 Creedmoor. The ammo was impressive - the brass wasn't - very inconsistent primer pockets. I've stashed the Norma brass and am using Starline. I think they've gotten a little inconsistent getting rolled into RUAG.

[centerfire]

The hornady is fine brass. I’ve lost load counts on mine and have yet to throw any out. The starline should be good brass. The nosler is made by Norma, and pricey. Like nuggin said, the American gunner is a great value for reclaimed brass. The Lapua may still be available in places but for the most part has dried up. If you can’t find the American gunner ammo, check midsouth shooters supply, as they have sales quite often on the hornady brass.

Nosler has been making all of their own brass for a couple of years now.

[roor]

[Popeye212]

I'm about as anti Big Red as one can get. Never bothered with their brass in other calibers. Can never get any of their bullets to shoot no matter what -be they pistol or rifle. Both my Grendel's shoot Hornady Black extremely well. I'm through 5 firings on close to 400 pieces of brass and it's still going strong. When I started with grendel others here said give it a try and I'm happy I did. As a side note, I'm a pretty big Norma fan. I shot a case of 130 gr Norma Match breaking in my 6.5 Creedmoor. The ammo was impressive - the brass wasn't - very inconsistent primer pockets. I've stashed the Norma brass and am using Starline. I think they've gotten a little inconsistent getting rolled into RUAG.

Sound like we could be brothers with that first sentence. I am about to be converted getting closer by the minute. Just please don't tell my mother......

[NugginFutz]

Quick question related to lapua vs Norma brass - do you have to/should FL resize this brass before firing?

I’m getting closer to something shootable so I’m trying to learn as much as I can so hopefully I don’t annoy you guys too much!

There is really no point to doing it, other than to possibly straighten occasional dented neck. Most, if not all of the brass I've bought has been slightly undersized from SAAMI specifications. This is done, some speculate, to ensure the brass will easily fit any chamber meeting even the extremes of the SAAMI specification.

If the inner OCD child simply cannot load the brass without running it through the press, I suggest neck sizing. This can be accomplished with either a dedicated die, or by backing off your full length body die enough to just engage the neck.