I'm brand new to hand loading and want to start building a load for a 300 Win in the next few months. That said I want to use the best components possible for accuracy and longevity. I'm a believer in doing it right the first time within my budget. That said, Can anyone reccomend a quality 300 Win brass ? Or brass that I should avoid?
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300 WM brass recommendation needed
- Thread starter Wags
- Start date
Nosler and Norma brass (which I believe is all Norma made brass} has been good to me. That was before ADG started. If you can find ADG brass it is prolly going to be the best there is now.
- Mar 15, 2018
- 1,279
- 5,090
I'll see the occasional knock on Hornady brass but that's what was available when I started reloading 300WM and honestly it's been fine. I'm on my 4th reload of it and haven't had a single problem. One advantage to Hornady as it seems to be more readily available than Nosler or Norma; I would't hesitate to use it.
I've finished fireforming (to my chamber) 100pcs of Jagemann brass for my 300 wm. The brass had consistant neck thickness, has clean flash holes, comes annealed and is affordable.
I found 1 out of 200 with a flaw in the shoulder as opposed to 9 out of 100 with Winchester. I can't speak for its longevity, but initially it looks promising.
If I try another brand I'll be looking into ADG or possibly Gunwerks brass.
I found 1 out of 200 with a flaw in the shoulder as opposed to 9 out of 100 with Winchester. I can't speak for its longevity, but initially it looks promising.
If I try another brand I'll be looking into ADG or possibly Gunwerks brass.
Or you can just buy Winchester brass, deburr the flash holes, clean up the mouths, and run it through a resizing cycle to iron out any case mouth dents, and go shoot.
For 300WM - It really depends on what you're loading.
If you're going HOT, like MK 248 HOT, you want FC.
If you're going light, you want Hornady or Nosler.
Sig's brass is decent, but if you're loading for yourself, go the buy once, cry once route.
As for bullets - 300wm really shines at 180-220. 185 Juggs work awesomely, so do the 220SMKs. 208 does a REALLY good job as well.
H1000 is what most people use - It's good stuff.
If you're going HOT, like MK 248 HOT, you want FC.
If you're going light, you want Hornady or Nosler.
Sig's brass is decent, but if you're loading for yourself, go the buy once, cry once route.
As for bullets - 300wm really shines at 180-220. 185 Juggs work awesomely, so do the 220SMKs. 208 does a REALLY good job as well.
H1000 is what most people use - It's good stuff.
I've been using FC and have been happy with it so far. I did have to prep the new cases though so keep that in mind. I'm on my 3rd reload on some of it and they are still good.
Best 300WM brass on the planet? For me it's been RWS. Good luck finding it anymore though. Might luck up on some somewhere perhaps. 18+ reloads on it with an upper-range load. Shoulder bumped roughly every 8 firings if I remember correctly.
Second I'd have to say Nosler, from my experience. Every chamber is different though.
Second I'd have to say Nosler, from my experience. Every chamber is different though.
I had two bags of Winchester that should have never left the factory and won’t be buying any more of that. I got one bag of Sig brass and so far have been pleased and will be getting more. Hornady was 50/50 for me.
Winchester bags of brass I bought had dinged up case mouths. I just ran a mandrel through them before loading and got single digit ES and SDs. No signs of pressure with stout loads. Good brass and readily available for a good price.
Another vote for ADG, it’s tough shit. Primer pockets last forever even with hot loads. I believe they guarantee the primer pockets for a certain number of reloads.
Neck thickness has been very consistent, like Lapua consistent.
Neck thickness has been very consistent, like Lapua consistent.
Just buy the new Berger 215gr loaded ammo and enjoy the once fired Lapua brass afterwards
Your right, I was misinformed.
I reached out to them and this was the response:
"Lapua 300 WIN MAG cartridge cases should be available in early 2020 . At that point we will be using it to load our BERGER ammunition with."
I also really like the ADG brass and like others have said about the Winchester brass. I can't believe they even attempt to sell that crap they put in those bags. I returned it all. Say what you will about Hornady brass, but I'd buy that any day of the week before I would the Winchester crap. I have used the new Federal brass in the bag, only got 3 loads out of it before the primer pockets were shot. I also have used a lot of Norma .300WM brass and its up there with the ADG. I want to check out that RWS to see what thats like. Everyone says it's great.
Thank you guys. I really appreciate your advice and feedback. I have no problem saying that I know less than nothing about reloading and am just getting started. That said I am a believer in doing things right and using the best equipment I can afford.
I'll definitely take a look at those options and availability.
I'll definitely take a look at those options and availability.
I have shot Norma, Hornady, Nosler and Federal. So Nosler has been the best for me in my AI. I shoot 215 Hybrid's and my Nosler brass currently has 5 firings with no issues tight primer pocket. Norma was almost as good but need to use the Willis collet die after 3rd firing. I still have not use it on the Nosler brass. The Fed and Hor were to soft and primer pocket were loose after 2 firings. So now i will only use Nosler or Norma and that depends on the best price at the time.
The Larry Willis collet die will size the base of the case just above the belt were the sizing die can't reach it's well worth the money as it keep you brass chambering like new also i anneal every other firing.
The Larry Willis collet die will size the base of the case just above the belt were the sizing die can't reach it's well worth the money as it keep you brass chambering like new also i anneal every other firing.
I don't have a 300 WM any more as I rechambered it to a 300 PRC, but when I was loading 300 WM I used Norma and Hornady. I really don't like Hornady at all. It takes a lot more prep to be as accurate and lasts through fewer firings. Norma worked well.
With my PRC, Hornady was giving me fits. I now use fire-formed RWS 8x68S and it is much better.
Long story short: don't waste your time and effort on Hornady brass. Start with something better.
With my PRC, Hornady was giving me fits. I now use fire-formed RWS 8x68S and it is much better.
Long story short: don't waste your time and effort on Hornady brass. Start with something better.
