Does brass make a difference?

[Arkansas Paul]

Another question from a rookie reloader. I'm new to the game and am wondering if brass makes a difference. I only reload for the .30-06 for now and I've got my friends bringing me their fired brass. Naturally, it's from a variety of manufactorers. I've got Remington, Winchester, Federal, and Hornady brass. Will they give any noticeable difference in performance when loaded with identical loads? This may seem like a stupid question, but I would like to know. Thanks for the help.

 

[Shoney]

For rifle, YES, brass does make a difference. Ask any bench rest shooter. Each of the various brands have different internal volumes from the others. Some brands are more consistent than others. Internal differences in the brass can shift accuracy a bit. I segregate my brass by brand and volume.

There are a lot of things you can do to brass to squeeze out that last fluff of accuracy. However, if you are happy with one inch groups at 100 yards, simple brass segregation will do when working up your best load.

 

[VegasOPM]

Different manufacturers have slightly different internal dimensions for brass. Different neck thickness means that the bullets will have different amounts of tension on them. Which will change the velcoity and pressure curve. Web thickness variations will affect the case capacity slightly- which will change the pressure curve.

In normal usage, it won't be overly noticeable (unless there is a really wacky variance). For benchrest and 1000m competition, the difference is huge. That is why the serious accuracy folks will set up a load using a single batch of a single manufacturer's brass and only use those pieces that are perfectly matched in terms of weight and outer dimensions. They will then ream the neck, true the rim and precision cut the neck to be perfectly uniform.

Shoney- pistol brass variance actually makes a very noticeable difference- especially when you are exploring the outer limits of a cartridge's potential. When I load to make Major power factor in .38 Super Comp using compressed loads, different manufacturer's brass will impact the velocity by almost 100fps- and really screws with the pressure curve.

 

[jim147]

While different base can change a load or POI. Some brands will shoot close enough to others that you may find you can load them together.
Now brass from a different firearm is a different story. You may have to size it more to make it fit you rifle.
Once you have fired it through you rifle you should be able to keep all the different brands together.
Only shooting really tells what a rifle will do.

jim

 

[bobotech]

Do you want lots of blasting ammo just to have fun with and aren't looking for 5 hole touching groups at 100+ yards? Then brass isn't as critical but yeah, for high quality bench rest shooting, brass matters.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My handloads will be used for deer hunting. I like to go out and shoot, but don't do it competitively. One inch groups at 100 yds is plenty accurate for me. If they'll all do that, I'll be all right.

 

[Walkalong]

Then sorting by headstamp will work just fine. If they from different batches weighing cases with the same headstamp can prove helpful sometimes.

Different makers make brass that is more consistent, thus the internal volume is more consistent, which leads to better accuracy.

Lapua brass is expensive, but worth it to folks looking for that last bit of accuracy.

That said, your barrel and bullets will make a great deal more difference than brass, primers etc etc

I love accurate rifles, but I have a Sako .308 with a neglected bore that struggles to shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. No deer ever noticed.