.308 brass question- Lapua vs. Winchester?

[GJgo]

Here's a question for y'all. Consider 308 brass:

-Lapua brass is usualy considered the best & most accurate. I use it in other calibers & agree. It can take more pressure and be loaded more times.

-Winchester brass is considered the roomiest. You can get the most powder in it when working on a max loading. While not considered as accurate as Lapua brass, most agree that it is still good, and with proper case prep & sorting you'll likely not notice the difference on paper.

So, when working towards a max load, would I be better off using the Lapua brass that can take more pressure, or the Win brass that has more case capacity?

 

[USSR]

GJgo,

Here's how I approach it. I use two types of .308 brass: LC M118 Match (similar case capacity to Lapua) and Hornady Match (similar case capacity to Winchester). I use the Hornady Match brass for heavy bullet (190SMK) loads, since I use a slower burn rate powder and need to use a heavier charge weight. The M118 Match brass is used for 175gr and less bullets. You do not want to load your Lapua brass to higher pressure than the Winchester brass simply because "It can take more pressure", you want to load them to the same pressure knowing that you will use less powder in the Lapua to reach the same pressure as the Winchester.

Don

 

[Ridgerunner665]

+1 to USSR.

And the "roomy" Winchester brass can help get a couple more fps at lower pressure...sometimes. (depends on a few things, but sometimes)

 

[GJgo]

Thanks guys. I am going to work on a heavy bullet (208 Amax) w/ slower powder (RL17) load, think long range steel shooting. My inclination is to go with the Win brass, it's just hard not to use Lapua when it's available!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

A guy called MontanaMarine on SnipersHide forum...

He has a thread there on just that (208 Amax and RL17), he knows what he's talking about.


Here is the thread... http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1311114

He uses moly'd bullets, but then again he shoots the 208's from a factory Remington 20.5 inch barrel so it needs all the help it can get.

 

[GJgo]

Yep, I've read that thread along with a few others on the subject on other forums. Good stuff. Thanks. IIRC MM is using Win brass.

 

[GJgo]

I've read that the neck wall thickness of Lapua 308 brass is around .015-.016". I've read that Winchester 308 brass has a thinner neck wall, but haven't seen numbers. Does anyone know?