6.5 creedmoor brass

[Saggins]

I've been shooting my 6.5 creedmoor with hornady match ammo in preparation for reloading. (My change jar is still saving up for the redding competition bullet seating die, but I might go with a forster if I get too impatient ) I have 120 once-fired hornady brass, but I frequently dream of having a batch of top quality components. I've looked at Norma or forming 6.5CM from various other Lapua cases. But I recently read that Lapua will be releasing 6.5CM brass in Q1 of 2017... with a slight catch... it will have a small primer pocket.

So my options: hornady, norma, form lapua cases, or wait for the factory lapua cases (with small primer pocket)?

Will be shooting anywhere from 100 to 1000yds

 

[farmerboy78]

I formed my brass from Norma. 308 before they began making the Creedmoor brass. It's top quality stuff and tough!

 

[Captcurt]

I shoot Hornady, but I am cheap. The Norma brass is very good. If I shot a tactical rifle and wanted to milk it for every micro-inch, and had deep pockets, I would try the Lapua.

 

[Sunray]

You don't need a competition bullet seating die or high priced brass to load match quality ammo. Loading match ammo is more about technique far more than the brand of the case. Or the dies.

 

[Saggins]

Can't say I have deep pockets, but if I make the time to go haul a load of scrap iron to the recycler, I can use the cash for whatever I want. If you were looking for every possible accuracy advantage, norma vs formed lapua vs small primer pocket lapua?

 

[Varminterror]

Wait for the Lapua.

 

[Bart B.]

If you full length size your fired cases in a Forster die they've honed its neck out to. .002" less than loaded round neck diameter with the bullet of choice In it, you could use a standard bullet seating die. Most any seater does well when case necks are straight and well centered on case body and shoulder axis. Such Forster dies do that the best of all commercial dies, including bushing dies. Or have your own FL die honed out. Get rid of the neck bending ball.

Use the hottest small rifle primer in big cases so pocketed. Remington 7.5 for example.

 

[MtnCreek]

FWIW, it could be six months to a year before we see factory lapua 6.5creed brass readily available.

 

[farmerboy78]

Buy prime ammo, shoot it and reload. Norma is as good as lapua any day

 

[dh1633pm]

I have used Hornady brass only plus some converted 22-250 brass. I guess I am not to good of a shot because the Ammo I made was more accurate than me. From my LRP I shot first time out a 147 out of 150 at F-Class. All with good ol Hornady brass, Barnes Bullets, and AA2700.

I am jesting a little, but I was reading about the expensive brass, I can certainly afford it, but is it really that much of a difference maker? Not trying to be a smartie or sarcastic, but would like to know what makes Norma or Laupa that much better?

 

[Gtscotty]

The Hornady brass I've been using in my 6.5 CM, shoots about as well as I can. I'm on my 7th firing and primer pockets are tight, no problems. I understand liking good components, but I haven't really been able to figure out what's wrong with the very available Hornady brass. Maybe if you're competing at the top levels....

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a friend who was an Air Force Distinguished Rifle and Pistol shooter. He would pull the bullets on the M855 Ammo. Replace with Sierra's, replace the powder with IMR4895, and he would weight out everything. He would pile brass and bullets with the same weight together. I don't shoot like he does. I have had good luck with the Hornady brass. Even the converted Winchester 22-250 brass worked well. And of course who uses AA2700 for Creedmoor. Had good luck there as well.

I guess it goes back to quality components make quality rounds. But at what point do you reach the point of diminishing returns? And I would think that this point would be different based on skill levels? Don't get me wrong, I have no problem spending money for quality things.

 

[farmerboy78]

Glad you are liking that savage! Consistency is why I personally think Norma and lapua are better than hornady and others. And I believe they make there own brass, from what I've found, winchester (olin) makes the hornady brass.

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks your the one that suggested it. You really think the Norma and Lapua are that much better for the average user?

 

[Saggins]

I am also using an LRP, I love it so far. I personally have nothing against hornady brass, I just want to explore any reasonably affordable advantage I can. As long as I know when I go to my first ever competition I won't get laughed at for using hornady brass . If anything gets me laughed at will be my homemade front rest