Collect brass or buy new?

[Ala Dan]

When I owned a Remington 700 BDL in .22-250, I bought a lot of new, virgin
brass for this caliber; as I tried to do everthing based on accuracy. However,
once fired factory brass, is just as good; so long as you keep the velocity to
'round 3800 fps. Expect to get 'bout three loadings per piece of brass, at this
rate; and watchout for case neck splits, especially if you go too a higher
velocity~!

 

[sig220mw]

It has been my experience that between remington and winchester the winchester brass has a longer reloading life. This is the case whether new virgin or factory loaded rounds later reloaded. The norma, lapua and nosler is supposed to be better but you will definitely pay more. I've never used any of these 3 but probably will in the future when I decide to spend the money and I use up what I now have.

 

[jhansman]

I "collect and select," checking closely every piece of picked-up brass I come home with. About 30-40% of what I collect gets used, the rest recycled. The only brass I've bought was once-fired (as in, fired once) Lake City .223, which has turned out to be an excellent investment.

 

[James2]

Collect brass for sure.
I have bought some in hard to find calibers, but it sure feels good when you can just pick it up.