New brass vs. fired

[qciceman]

Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy when using brand new brass, compared to once or twice fired brass? Specifically, I'm looking at Nosler Custom Rifle brass, and the fired brass would be fired out of my gun.

I'm looking for accuracy out to 300 yards or so for hunting purposes, not necessarily match-grade accuracy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have not use the Nosler brass. But I seam to need to do a little tweaking every time after it has been fire formed to my rifle. But not all calibers. Just depends on how loose or tight your chamber is. But I'm looking for BE accuracy even in my hunting loads.

 

[Walkalong]

I recently bought some Nosler .222 Mag brass. Seems like good stuff. It certainly has a good reputation.

Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy when using brand new brass, compared to once or twice fired brass?

Assuming decent quality brass for both, you should be fine. Match shooters reuse brass over and over. Many anneal these days to make it last longer and be a little more consistent, but you can get by without annealing and have some very good shooting ammo. Lots more variables to an accurate load.

 

[FROGO207]

Well at the minimum you will get an extra firing out of that brass over once fired. I still size/trim my new bottle neck brass before I use it but either way you have to fireform it to fit first especially if neck sizing thereafter. The main advantage is with new brass there is no oversized brass from shooting it in a MG or oversized chamber. A better start in other words.

 

[hdwhit]

qciceman wrote:
Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy when using brand new brass, compared to once or twice fired brass? Specifically, I'm looking at Nosler Custom Rifle brass, and the fired brass would be fired out of my gun.

Can I assume that even though it would be new brass, that just to make sure it was properly sized, you would run it through a full-length sizing die before first use?

There are, as has already been mentioned, a large number of factors that affect accuracy, but among the ones that would be impacted solely by the case has to do with how nearly it fits to the chamber of the gun.

So, if you take new brass and run it through your full-length sizing die and previously fired brass through the same die, the dimensions of the cases should for all practical purposes be identical (because brass has some "springiness", there will be trivial differences) and will thus fit the chamber equally well. And since the fit to the chamber will be essentially identical, then the effects on accuracy that can be attributed solely to the case will likewise be essentially identical.

 

[qciceman]

That's what I was thinking, too; that buying new brass would have little to no effect. Thanks for the replies.

 

[wrench459]

I've found that it's better to run even "new brass" through my dies.....

 

[RussellC]

Can I assume that even though it would be new brass, that just to make sure it was properly sized, you would run it through a full-length sizing die before first use?

There are, as has already been mentioned, a large number of factors that affect accuracy, but among the ones that would be impacted solely by the case has to do with how nearly it fits to the chamber of the gun.

So, if you take new brass and run it through your full-length sizing die and previously fired brass through the same die, the dimensions of the cases should for all practical purposes be identical (because brass has some "springiness", there will be trivial differences) and will thus fit the chamber equally well. And since the fit to the chamber will be essentially identical, then the effects on accuracy that can be attributed solely to the case will likewise be essentially identical.

I used to would have said yes, full length size it. I recently bought new rifle brass for the first time, previously I had used once fired. I attempted to full length size with Redding Competition body die....it didnt make contact with the brass to make a difference! I grouped it according to length with hornady OAL device on caliper and also made sure none was too long and needed a trim, it didnt. With that, I just loaded it up.

Try a piece in your sizing die. If it is making a difference, I would do it. I suspect it wont. In my case it was just regular Winchester rifle brass. No problems shooting it at all. What goes in AR rifle for the next loading, will be full length resized. What goes in the bolt gun (brass kept separate) will be neck sized only for first reload, full sized for third...unless it wont let bolt close right, then I will full length size the first reload.

Russellc

 

[quest4perfection]

I've found that it's better to run even "new brass" through my dies.....

6br Lapua brass can have overly snug necks so I run an expander through. This also irons out some minute discrepancies in the neck. Don't see a downside unless doing a 6 improved, in which case it is often advised to leave neck tension, load a "stout load" and jam firmly-blows case out fully when fireforming.

I read of an interesting experience-person found fireformed rounds were very accurate. Doesn't make sense because on some 6 wildcats that shoulder is moving quite a bit.

 

[243winxb]

for hunting purposes

I would compare case weight , if from different lots. If theres a difference of more than 3 grains , keep them separate.

 

[Bbear]

If you run the new brass through a neck-sizer then there may be slight difference in results. Once-fired brass or new brass run through your full-length dies should have little to no difference.

 

[Scooter22]

All new brass becomes once fired. So do you plane on only buying and loading new brass? Thats going to get expensive. What determines accuracy is how you treat it and reload it. I have brass thats been loaded 10-15 times that looks like new and still makes the same groups.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO there is no reason not to buy 50 or 100 new cases for your hunting rifle and segregate them for hunting only. You can use all your other brass for practice and range time. I have bought some Nosler brass in the past for several projects and it's always been of the highest quality. It's been several years since I've bought any so I can't vouch for current production brass.

 

[TheDomFather]

Can I assume that even though it would be new brass, that just to make sure it was properly sized, you would run it through a full-length sizing die before first use?

There are, as has already been mentioned, a large number of factors that affect accuracy, but among the ones that would be impacted solely by the case has to do with how nearly it fits to the chamber of the gun.

So, if you take new brass and run it through your full-length sizing die and previously fired brass through the same die, the dimensions of the cases should for all practical purposes be identical (because brass has some "springiness", there will be trivial differences) and will thus fit the chamber equally well. And since the fit to the chamber will be essentially identical, then the effects on accuracy that can be attributed solely to the case will likewise be essentially identical.

I’d have to fully agree I am on my 3rd or 4th firing of my new Hornady 6.5 creedmoor brass and notice no difference in accuracy. Projectile, Powder, primer, case fill etc. are far more likely to vary your accuracy of new vs fired brass. Now that being said brass has a lifespan. Primer pockets will eventually loosen, case. Necks can split etc. inspect your brass regularly..

 

[Arkansas Paul]

For hunting purposes with a max of 300 yards, no. There's no noticeable difference.
Even if there were, it would only be for the first shot. Because after that, it's once fired.

 

[Hondo 60]

Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy when using brand new brass, compared to once or twice fired brass?

Noticeable? Eh, depends on how picky you are.
If you chronograph every round, ya, there's probably a little difference.

I like handguns & couldn't for the life of me tell a difference.
But the chronograph usually says there is a diff.

Would a deer be able to tell the difference?
No, I doubt it. And he'd taste just as good, too

 

[Dale shaver]

I never buy new brass, can’t justify spending that much money when it can be used for other components or equipment. Most important thing is to follow the data in your manuals and trim to length as specified. Clean your used brass and inspect each piece before loading. Every time I look at a bag of large rifle brass and it is anywhere from 35-60 bucks all I can think is that is about a buck a bullet and I haven’t even loaded it yet. Not saving any money and that , in my opinion, is the biggest selling point for getting into reloading, saving money.

 

[HOWARD J]

I buy a lot of used brass for everything except 7.62 x 39.
Most of the 7.62 x 39 I purchased was badly beat up--so I gave up on it used.

 

[RussellC]

6br Lapua brass can have overly snug necks so I run an expander through. This also irons out some minute discrepancies in the neck. Don't see a downside unless doing a 6 improved, in which case it is often advised to leave neck tension, load a "stout load" and jam firmly-blows case out fully when fireforming.

I read of an interesting experience-person found fireformed rounds were very accurate. Doesn't make sense because on some 6 wildcats that shoulder is moving quite a bit.

I remove the expander, and use the nose of a bullet to press out bent necks. I am convinced the expander messes with concentricity in my "accurate bolt gun ammo." Who knows...putting them through the Redding Competition neck die, S type with micrometer top makes them Round enough.

Russellc

 

[jmr40]

For unknown reasons it used to be advised to run new brass through dies before loading. I've seen enough proof to convince me that doing so is unnecessary and a waste of time. Any bent necks will straighten right out when the bullet goes in. Take it out of the box, prime it and load it. New factory brass isn't run through dies before loading and new, unfired brass is ever so slightly more accurate than after it has been fired.

Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy when using brand new brass, compared to once or twice fired brass?

For what you want to do, no noticeable difference. If you were a bench rest shooter with groups in the .1 MOA range as the goal, maybe.

I use new and used brass. For hunting loads where I want to assure the best accuracy and reliability I use new brass, or brass that I know has only been loaded 2-3 times. Once it has been loaded more than 3-4 times I'll still use it for practice ammo, but I don't worry so much that I keep it all together. Depending on the cartridge and exact load 10 or more loadings can be accomplished with the same brass.