I'm getting ready to load some 44 magnums with 240 gr. XTP's. Going to load near maximum pressure. My question is what brass would be the best to do this with? I have brand new never fired Starline, Winchester, Frontier(Hornady) and Remington. Does anyone have a preference , if so why? These are going to be used for hunting in a lever action rifle.
Brass question
- Thread starter Jack B.
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troy fairweather
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Star line
edwardware
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Starline is generally the go-to name for highest quality pistol brass (not for finest-accuracy bottleneck rifle, although it's still quite good).
I think you'll find that quality reflected in longer life (against neck splits and loose pockets), but probably not in noticeable accuracy. If you'll retain and reuse the brass, Starline; if you'll loose it, then I'd use iso-headstamp whatever.
I think you'll find that quality reflected in longer life (against neck splits and loose pockets), but probably not in noticeable accuracy. If you'll retain and reuse the brass, Starline; if you'll loose it, then I'd use iso-headstamp whatever.
243winxb
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44 Mag- Currently use Starline. Have used Win, Rem and Super Vel.
The old 1970s Super Vel did not provide enough neck tension. Bullets jumped crimp , on firing, with my die set.
The old 1970s Super Vel did not provide enough neck tension. Bullets jumped crimp , on firing, with my die set.
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Hooda Thunkit
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I would use, and have used, any and all of those brands.
However, when doing big honking loads, I use Starline brass. New if I have it, but I get very good life from Starline. After a few heavy loads, it gets put in the casual shooting pile, and loaded to lower pressures.
After several loadings, any brass will lose neck tension due to work hardening. I have never successfully annealed handgun brass.
However, when doing big honking loads, I use Starline brass. New if I have it, but I get very good life from Starline. After a few heavy loads, it gets put in the casual shooting pile, and loaded to lower pressures.
After several loadings, any brass will lose neck tension due to work hardening. I have never successfully annealed handgun brass.
Charlie98
Member
Take your pick.
I'm usually the odd man out... I haven't had the best service out of my Starline brass, I've gotten more neck and case splits with it than anything else I've ever used, this in .45ACP and .38SPC. Many people poo-poo RP brass, but my .41MAG brass is still going strong, in some cases 10+ loadings, fired through 3 different revolvers and my 1894.
I'm usually the odd man out... I haven't had the best service out of my Starline brass, I've gotten more neck and case splits with it than anything else I've ever used, this in .45ACP and .38SPC. Many people poo-poo RP brass, but my .41MAG brass is still going strong, in some cases 10+ loadings, fired through 3 different revolvers and my 1894.
I have shot them all in 44 Magnum and can't tell a difference on target or the loading bench.
Starline is good stuff, I use a lot of it in 45 ACP, I noticed the factory 185 grain HP ammunition used by All Guard and AMU in their 1911's is loaded with Starline brass.
Starline is good stuff, I use a lot of it in 45 ACP, I noticed the factory 185 grain HP ammunition used by All Guard and AMU in their 1911's is loaded with Starline brass.
FROGO207
Member
I have some Frontier brass that I have shot the snot out of and so far 98% still good. I also have a pile of Starline that has been shot a lot with no issues. Looking at the mouths of both, the Starline looks thicker but I have not measured anything.
jmorris
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If I were going to go “all out” on new brass, especially Starline, I would section one and take a close look.
Awhile back I had a case failure working up a load with new Starline cases, I was on the low end so I switched to previously fired brass and finished working up.
Once I was done I sectioned one of the new cases to find a parting line instead of a smooth radius, that’s where the case failed.
Awhile back I had a case failure working up a load with new Starline cases, I was on the low end so I switched to previously fired brass and finished working up.
Once I was done I sectioned one of the new cases to find a parting line instead of a smooth radius, that’s where the case failed.
Highland Lofts
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I have different brands of brass and load what ever I happen to grab.
WestKentucky
Member
Specifically regarding medium and large bore brass, by far the best I have ever ran across was S&W head stamped brass in a variety of flavors, but the .357 and .44 mag I have had lasted for over a dozen loads typically. Not barn burner loads, but certainly not cream puff loads either. Good luck finding that in bulk these days... Winchester seems good now, Remington iffy, along with most others as being in the iffy category. I like ppu brass for little stuff because for some reason I think I can feel it better in the press... maybe it’s softer or something.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
They'll all work; take your pick. Had you asked before your acquired, I'd have said Starline; but since you already have, just pick one.
Currently, I buy Starline brass when I'm buying brass. But I have a variety of domestic branded brass in my inventory that I use.
I load mostly light 44 Magnum loads so I do not worry about mixing headstamps. Full power loads are limited to Starline cases.
Not in the OP's question, but I do have a fair amount of foreign headstamped 9x19 cases that I am tending to dispose of as I shoot the reloads. It is just not worth the reloading troubles some of the foreign headstamps cause.
I load mostly light 44 Magnum loads so I do not worry about mixing headstamps. Full power loads are limited to Starline cases.
Not in the OP's question, but I do have a fair amount of foreign headstamped 9x19 cases that I am tending to dispose of as I shoot the reloads. It is just not worth the reloading troubles some of the foreign headstamps cause.
Riomouse911
Member
I’ll shoot Starline if I need to buy it, the others I’ll shoot if I have the brass.
Winchester rims sometimes are too thick to work in my Lee shell holders, they’re the only brand of handgun brass that I’ve ever had this issue with.
Stay safe.
Winchester rims sometimes are too thick to work in my Lee shell holders, they’re the only brand of handgun brass that I’ve ever had this issue with.
Stay safe.
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