I am working on building my collection of 308 Brass. I currently have some federal, some Hornady, some Winchester. I just acquired, and have not used, some Lapua. I am curious if anyone has use Starline 308 brass? My experience with them has been with pistol brass. Mainly 38 special. a friend of mine runs some really hot 10 mm stuff with it and has had great success. Just curious about their rifle brass. I like the pricey stuff, but beggars can’t be choosers always… As the saying goes.
308 win brass question
- Thread starter JmacD
- Start date
Hugger-4641
Member
I'm using some I loaded with 178eldx. No problems so far, but I only have one or two firings on them.
Charlie98
Member
My experience with Starline brass is... that it's quite hard. When compared with typical factory handgun brass (think Federal, Winchester, RP...) my Starline brass fails with case cracks before all of the others.
I only have a small amount of Starline rifle brass, however... .30-30 and .45-70. None of those are run at the pressures .308 brass, for example, would be, and it's all so new to me that I haven't formed an opinion on it, yet.
My recommendation is... if you are able to buy a quantity lot of any manufacturer's brass, do it. Having a single lot of brass is far easier to manage than a bucket of mix-master brass. I would, however, plan on annealing the necks after the first 1 or 2 firings.
As an aside... given that components cost what they cost these days... you might consider buying a case (or half case, etc...) of loaded factory ammo. That way, you get one firing out of it without spending a dime or using scarce components (after the initial purchase...) and then you have your brass to reload afterwards. Generic 150grn FMJ is around .90/rd these days. Compare that to Starline's going price for standard .308 brass... 50/cs. Add .08 for a primer, .35 for a charge of powder, and .25 for a FMJ bullet... and you are staring at $1/rd with virgin brass, anyway. Just a thought.
I only have a small amount of Starline rifle brass, however... .30-30 and .45-70. None of those are run at the pressures .308 brass, for example, would be, and it's all so new to me that I haven't formed an opinion on it, yet.
My recommendation is... if you are able to buy a quantity lot of any manufacturer's brass, do it. Having a single lot of brass is far easier to manage than a bucket of mix-master brass. I would, however, plan on annealing the necks after the first 1 or 2 firings.
As an aside... given that components cost what they cost these days... you might consider buying a case (or half case, etc...) of loaded factory ammo. That way, you get one firing out of it without spending a dime or using scarce components (after the initial purchase...) and then you have your brass to reload afterwards. Generic 150grn FMJ is around .90/rd these days. Compare that to Starline's going price for standard .308 brass... 50/cs. Add .08 for a primer, .35 for a charge of powder, and .25 for a FMJ bullet... and you are staring at $1/rd with virgin brass, anyway. Just a thought.
Highland Lofts
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2019
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- 3,035
Most of my shots out hunting deer is less then a hundred yards. Range brass services my purpose.
I mix & match head stamps and they are good enough for me.
I mix & match head stamps and they are good enough for me.
Last edited:
45/30-06OKIE
Member
I got 250 45-70 Starline brass cases a while back and they seem like very good quality brass. I've shot a few of them a couple times. I do like Federal brass as well... And I've been buying Lapua brass for my 6.5 PRC cause I want it to last lol. 6.5 PRC brass/ammo aint exactly cheap you know, lol.
Of course you already know that based on our discussions in the reloading room thread on here. But dont feel like you HAVE to have Lapua or Nosler brass to fit in, unless that's something you need like with a magnum caliber where quality brass is worth it. In 308, I'm more than happy with Lake City 7.62x51 brass cause it's darn near free lol. Dad and I have a bunch just waiting on us to size and de crimp the primer pockets. And in my 308 AR, it dings the necks up really good so using Lapua brass would be like pouring money down the sink lol.
Ditto! This is going to be geared toward “ presicion” shooting. A lot prep for long range class.I got 250 45-70 Starline brass cases a while back and they seem like very good quality brass. I've shot a few of them a couple times. I do like Federal brass as well... And I've been buying Lapua brass for my 6.5 PRC cause I want it to last lol. 6.5 PRC brass/ammo aint exactly cheap you know, lol.
In 308, I'm more than happy with Lake City 7.62x51 brass cause it's darn near free lol. Dad and I have a bunch just waiting on us to size and de crimp the primer pockets. And in my 308 AR, it dings the necks up really good so using Lapua brass would be like pouring money down the sink lol.
45/30-06OKIE
Member
Hmmm... Idk if you said how much Federal brass you had, but I'd start with that and get a load made up and see how that shoots.But your Lapua brass should be the ticket for "precision" shooting!
Oh ya. I have some that I’m loading. For ages, the only 308 was my dads 742. And the brass out of it was what you would expect from a semi automatic. Then came my brothers 770; and it’s chamber issues caused issues. Now enter my Howa and the Ruger American of my brothers. I have enough brass to run hunting season but barely! But the headstamps are very mixed. I’m going to run lapua. Probably load Federal and PMC for my dad and bro. My dad is also certain that a 308 is incapable of performing with anything other than a 150 gr bullet. Lol. He is seeing the light.
