I am getting ready to start reloading for my 6.5x55 Tikka. I want to buy some new brass. Where is a good place to get this brass from? Does some brass for the swede work better than others? I know lapua and norma are higher priced, but do they perform better? Is there an american made brass that will work just as good as the "foreign" brass. Are the sizes and specs the same between all brass?
6.5x55 Brass
- Thread starter viking499
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nambu1
Member
The brass is basically the same. Some is softer than others. Lapua and Norma is the best.
Poper
Member
viking499:
As you probably already know, the 6.5x55 is not a high intensity cartridge and tends to work best within its conservative design parameters.I have used Winchester, Remington and Norma brass for my CZ550 in 6.5x55 with no complaints about any of it.
Norma seems to be more consistent. (I weighed 100 cases of each after sizing, trimming and primer pocket uniforming.)
However, Remington appeared heaviest of the three, indicating smaller internal capacity.
Winchester weighed the least (not by much). It seemed to be thinner and a little stiffer, too.
None of the above have been fired enough to require discarding, and the most any have been fired is 4 times. I keep the loads fairly mild, too.
Really, to answer your question: If you keep your loading charges within a relatively conservative spectrum, the brand of case will make little difference. If you will be loading toward the high end and are shooting long range or benchrest competitions, then you may want to splurge for the Norma or Lapua.
FWIW, I have found Remington and Winchester to be perfectly capable of satisfying my needs without the additional expense of Norma. Your loading technique will likely be more important than your brand of brass.
I hope this is helpful.
Poper
As you probably already know, the 6.5x55 is not a high intensity cartridge and tends to work best within its conservative design parameters.I have used Winchester, Remington and Norma brass for my CZ550 in 6.5x55 with no complaints about any of it.
Norma seems to be more consistent. (I weighed 100 cases of each after sizing, trimming and primer pocket uniforming.)
However, Remington appeared heaviest of the three, indicating smaller internal capacity.
Winchester weighed the least (not by much). It seemed to be thinner and a little stiffer, too.
None of the above have been fired enough to require discarding, and the most any have been fired is 4 times. I keep the loads fairly mild, too.
Really, to answer your question: If you keep your loading charges within a relatively conservative spectrum, the brand of case will make little difference. If you will be loading toward the high end and are shooting long range or benchrest competitions, then you may want to splurge for the Norma or Lapua.
FWIW, I have found Remington and Winchester to be perfectly capable of satisfying my needs without the additional expense of Norma. Your loading technique will likely be more important than your brand of brass.
I hope this is helpful.
Poper
NCsmitty
Member
Try these folks: http://www.grafs.com/metallic/709
All I have used is Norma brass. 6.5x55 is supposed to measure around .480 at the base above the groove, at least that's what the saami specs show. It is rumored that REM and WIN brass run smaller than that, but I cannot tell you from experience. Most people say the Lapua brass is the best.
NCsmitty
All I have used is Norma brass. 6.5x55 is supposed to measure around .480 at the base above the groove, at least that's what the saami specs show. It is rumored that REM and WIN brass run smaller than that, but I cannot tell you from experience. Most people say the Lapua brass is the best.
NCsmitty
USSR
Member
I have considerable experience with both Norma and Lapua brass in 6.5x55. Norma brass is extremely soft in 6.5x55, and while it is good brass, it is nowhere's near the hardness or quality of Lapua. Norma brass in .30-06, on the other hand, is excellent brass with a large case capacity. Go figure.
Don
Glockdaddy
Member
I had the same question and went a different way...
With the aggressive pricing of Prvi Partizan at Aim Surplus, I bought 100 rounds of the ammo, shot it so it was fire formed....then measured the head space and used the brass for reloading. (gauged for my rifle's longer headspace.) It is very good brass and I have shot it about four times before needing to trim case length.
This may be a moot point with a Tikka, but I was working with a CG63 that had a longer headspace. Prvi is also working very good in my Winchester 70 that has been re-chambered for 6.5X55.
Whether you go Norma or Lapua you will be buying high quality and high price brass. The last time I bought Prvi I managed to get 20 loaded rounds for $9.95.
Just a suggestions....other opinions may vary...
With the aggressive pricing of Prvi Partizan at Aim Surplus, I bought 100 rounds of the ammo, shot it so it was fire formed....then measured the head space and used the brass for reloading. (gauged for my rifle's longer headspace.) It is very good brass and I have shot it about four times before needing to trim case length.
This may be a moot point with a Tikka, but I was working with a CG63 that had a longer headspace. Prvi is also working very good in my Winchester 70 that has been re-chambered for 6.5X55.
Whether you go Norma or Lapua you will be buying high quality and high price brass. The last time I bought Prvi I managed to get 20 loaded rounds for $9.95.
Just a suggestions....other opinions may vary...
ftierson
Member.
Most of the Remington and Winchester 6.5x55mm brass that I have runs about 0.475" at the base...
Regardless of claims about 'fatter' Norma brass, the Norma brass that I have runs about 0.475" too...
Forrest
Regardless of claims about 'fatter' Norma brass, the Norma brass that I have runs about 0.475" too...
Forrest
jjohnson
Member
Przi
All politics aside, if you're looking at "foreign" suppliers like Lapua, you might consider PRZI. Their ammo is good, held to tight and modern specs.
I've bought PRZI ammo for 6.5 Swede, and just recycle that brass. I've found that if you crunch the numbers, it's cheaper to buy the ammo first, shoot it, then reload that brass, than it is to start with brass and bullets. The bullets themselves tend to be spendy compared to .308. I see this sort of thing fairly often with calibers that aren't all that popular.
postscript - I see Glockdaddy already voiced this opinion - kudos to him, we're on the same page with PRZI being high quality and price competitive.
All politics aside, if you're looking at "foreign" suppliers like Lapua, you might consider PRZI. Their ammo is good, held to tight and modern specs.
I've bought PRZI ammo for 6.5 Swede, and just recycle that brass. I've found that if you crunch the numbers, it's cheaper to buy the ammo first, shoot it, then reload that brass, than it is to start with brass and bullets. The bullets themselves tend to be spendy compared to .308. I see this sort of thing fairly often with calibers that aren't all that popular.
postscript - I see Glockdaddy already voiced this opinion - kudos to him, we're on the same page with PRZI being high quality and price competitive.
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Glockdaddy
Member
Hey JJOHNSON......
...what is it they say about "great minds?"
Actually, I am glad somebody does see some economic value in the PRVI approach...with the crazy ammo prices these days it doesn't make sense that loaded ammo could actually be a sensible starting point..
...what is it they say about "great minds?"
Actually, I am glad somebody does see some economic value in the PRVI approach...with the crazy ammo prices these days it doesn't make sense that loaded ammo could actually be a sensible starting point..
Jake in TX
Member
Another +1 for Prvi Partizan. I bought Wolf Gold ammo, which uses Prvi Partizan brass, and am into my 6th and 7th reloading. I have a Tikka T3 Hunter and a Swede Mauser for which I reload.
Jake in TX
Jake in TX
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