Any Body Else Hate S&B Brass?

[osprey176]

I just picked my first batch of S&B 7x57 brass. Found it at a gun show,it is stamped Graf. A call to Graf taught me who manufactured it. Looks like good quality brass,but it won't fit in the usual shell holder. It needs a 6.5x55 shell holder.So until the new shell holder arrives,I will withhold judgment on the brass.

 

[WestKentucky]

In all of my loading range pickup I have found about a dozen of them...and they all tried to stick. I don't intentionally avoid it, but I would never PAY for it.

 

[rskent]

Funny thing, I ran across a few when I was loading up some 9's yesterday. You can feel when you try to prime one. Just take it out of the press, ream the primer pocket, put it back in the press and prime as usual. What's the problem?
There are very few things (or people) worth the time to hate.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I'm actually very fond of the S&B .22Hornet brass. It has a much smaller diameter flash hole and produces the most accurate ammo for my Ruger 77/22Hornet. (heavy bbl, stainless).

I haven't used any other than some few 9mm. Some factory loaded .38spl had primers so hard that none of my revolvers except a Charter Arms would fire them (all have match grade trigger jobs hence reduced energy main springs).

 

[Jaymo]

I've noticed the case heads expanding on all brands of .303 brass in my SMLE.(#4 Mk2)
I think most of them need to have the bolt head replaced with the next tighter-headspace size.

I like S&B .32 Long and .357 brass.
Those are the only ones I've reloaded.
Haven't reloaded any of my .303s yet.,

 

[gandog56]

I have a fair amount in 303, 7.62X54, and 45-70. The 303 will separate after one reload in a rifle with excessive head space on me. Try just bumping the shoulder back and reloading them. Bet it improves your results

I might believe that....except for the part that it has only done it with S&B brass. No other manufacturer's cases have separated on me in that rifle.

 

[FROGO207]

No other brass has separated YET.
The particular brand of brass may be more brittle and/or less elastic than other brands so it is destroyed easier than the others. I was just making a suggestion to extend the life of your brass, especially your problem brass. IF you have headspace issues then ALL brands of brass will have a shorter life for you in that rifle. Some will last longer than others but it still will be shorter than a different rifle with good headspace unless you fireform then basically neck size after. Then bump the shoulder back when sized brass will not chamber easily. That is what I do with good results for years. Do as you wish with yours.

 

[km101]

I have only loaded S&B brass in handgun brass, but I don't care for it.

I've found tight primer pockets, soft brass, and even a few off center primer pockets. The tight primer pockets have occurred over the range of handgun brass from .380 to .45acp.

The soft brass was 9mm and .38spl., and I found off center primer pockets in both 9mm and .45acp.

I just cull it and recycle it now. I don't bother to load it

 

[rodregier]

I had issues with hard extraction w/S&B .308 Win rifle brass in sane reloads that I didn't have with other brands. I was subsequently advised by a reloading friend to avoid S&B rifle brass for reloading. That is my current plan for now.

 

[Blue68f100]

All I have used is the pistol brass and I like them. They do have tight primer pockets but after a couple reloads there just fine. Some primers install easier than others.

 

[Casefull]

Their 308 rifle brass works great for me.

 

[Maj Dad]

I reload for a No. 1 Mk 3* and a No. 4 Mk 1*, and both of them will separate heads if you reload them hot, and the worst of the brass in my 303s is Federal. Once fired Federal can be reloaded once, and if I shoot "gallery"/lead bullet loads, maybe twice. The best I have found is Greek HXP, very strong cases, and I can get 3-4 moderate (not hot) reloads with them, but that's it.

 

[Scimmia]

I reload for a No. 1 Mk 3* and a No. 4 Mk 1*, and both of them will separate heads if you reload them hot, and the worst of the brass in my 303s is Federal. Once fired Federal can be reloaded once, and if I shoot "gallery"/lead bullet loads, maybe twice. The best I have found is Greek HXP, very strong cases, and I can get 3-4 moderate (not hot) reloads with them, but that's it.

Wow, just how far are you bumping the shoulder back?

 

[barnbwt]

I thought S&B was the finest 7.62x25 brass there ever was?

 

[Maj Dad]

Scimmia,
I size them enough to chamber, but the real problem is the rear lock-up and stretching. I neck size cases for Mauser-style actions with front lock ups but it's not a good option for the SMLE.

*I meant to add that while I haven't used S&B in 303, it works fine in all the other pistol and rifle calibers I have used - no issues.

 

[Matt Dillon]

I like S&B handgun brass. Never see any rifle brass. I like the slightly tighter primer pockets and the quality of the brass, and have never had a problem with it.

 

[Cleveland48]

I have reloaded it in 6.5x55 and primer pockets are tight. Which I consider that possibly a good thing. It last long time for me I think if is good quality.

 

[Mike Kerr]

Primer pockets are tight in handgun brass, sometimes so tight as to be a problem since I load handgun ammo on progressive presses without sorting headstamps. If I feel resistance I check headstamp and toss if needed. Brass seems to work ok once you get the primer in.

 

[dirtman]

maj dad has it right.... and there is a lot of head space problems with lee enfields... i know a guy who made his own tool just to pull out the separated cases..... he was using Canadian mil brass... for only 2-3 reloadings....

 

[GlowinPontiac]

I picked up 100+ .357mag S&B cases at the range last week. The primer pockets were so tight it was impossible to prime them. Had to go out and buy a reamer to use them. Now I know why instead of being tossed in the brass bin the shooter threw them in front of the firing line!

Now that I have the reamer I would pick it up off the gound but would never pay money for that brass. I also noticed its much more brittle than say R-P brass. Went to crush a damaged case with pliers and it did not even crush 1/4 of the way before it split lengthwise from top to bottom in 2 places. I dont expect this brass to last long at all but will be happy if I get one or two reloadings out of it before it hits the scrap bucket.

 

[armarsh]

I thought S&B was the finest 7.62x25 brass there ever was?

That is my experience also.

 

[Walkalong]

I'll take all the S&B brass anyone wants to give me, as I have never had a problem priming any. Maybe it is because I hand prime. Don't know.

 

[IcyOne]

I have used S&B brass in my AR extensively and have found it satisfactory. My only complaint has been a lot of excess brass having to be trimmed off after sizing the first time. After that all is well.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Ditto Walkalongs answer - I just loaded 200 rounds of S & B .32 acp brass. It's on it's 4th or so go round now. No problems for me in that caliber.

VooDoo

 

[2bfree]

I'll admit it, I really don't like S&B in 45 ACP. I have ruined more primers using it than any other but I am to cheap to get rid of it. I have found it to last as long as any other. Some are fine, others not so fine.