308 win Winchester Brass

[Big Grizz]

So about a year or so ago, I was doing velocity loads on different bullets for 308 Winchester. I was using virgin Winchester 308 brass so finally about 90 pieces. I decided to clean them and prep them for another firing at the same time I had some IMI 308 ball cases, and there were approximately 100 round to do this which I cleaned at the same time.

The IMI military brass was great , the pockets were not crimped but it took some pressure with my RCBS primer tool to seat them. Unfortunately when priming the once fire 308 win cases the primers went in with very minimal resistance in all the cases.

Thinking about it some of the top end ladder loads might have been a little warm. but most of them were with AR COMP or Reloader 17. With the Re 17 it seems you just can’t fit enough powder in the case to over pressure them . After I go done I started thinking these will not work out well in my gas gun.

So these 80 cases will go to loads for my bolt loads. But this does not give me a warm fuzzy about this brass. I have another 150 or so of these. I’m thinking of reloading I should go to SRP either Peterson or Alpha munitions brass.

 

[straightshooter1]

So about a year or so ago, I was doing velocity loads on different bullets for 308 Winchester. I was using virgin Winchester 308 brass so finally about 90 pieces. I decided to clean them and prep them for another firing at the same time I had some IMI 308 ball cases, and there were approximately 100 round to do this which I cleaned at the same time.

The IMI military brass was great , the pockets were not crimped but it took some pressure with my RCBS primer tool to seat them. Unfortunately when priming the once fire 308 win cases the primers went in with very minimal resistance in all the cases.

Thinking about it some of the top end ladder loads might have been a little warm. but most of them were with AR COMP or Reloader 17. With the Re 17 it seems you just can’t fit enough powder in the case to over pressure them . After I go done I started thinking these will not work out well in my gas gun.

So these 80 cases will go to loads for my bolt loads. But this does not give me a warm fuzzy about this brass. I have another 150 or so of these. I’m thinking of reloading I should go to SRP either Peterson or Alpha munitions brass.

Either one is really good brass. I like the Alpha brass over the Peterson brass, just because I found the Alpha brass to be more consistent with regards to case dimensions. But be aware that if you use CCI-400's in the Alpha brass, you likely will have some pierced primers due to the 400's thin cup's. Going to CCI-450's takes care of that issue.

Here's a comparason of some brass that I have you might find of interest:

 

[Big Grizz]

Thanks ! I already have a 2,000 to 3,000 , CCI 450, So going SRP not a problem. I already use nothing but 450’s in my 6.5 Grendel loads. I load them on the warm side and the 450’s are great. I also shoot 260 REM and I have Peterson brass for that one. Really like them. Just wish I knew these Winchesters cases had these primer pocket issues.

 

[Doom]

I don't know whether your primer pockets are actually a problem or not but Winchester produces what is known as a balloon head case which gives it more volume than other cases but that comes are the expense of case material. It's great brass for bolt guns but not so good for gas guns. It's lighter and won't take the beating as well as heavier military style cases.

 

[Big Grizz]

Yes I think that is a good summations of the practical matters of brass selection

 

[45-90]

All brass brands have high spots on the case heads, slight variations in case measurements and seating depth measurements, primers depths, & bullet depths, rim thickness variations...begin here.
No measurements are consistent or exact from case to case..or even on the same case, has slight variations. No matter the brand of case new or fired.

 

[tekmann2377]

Another thought if you want to continue to use some cases with looser primer pockets that aren't otherwise completely trashed - some primers fit tighter than others.

For example Ginex LRM primers are VERY tight in new brass, and a touch larger in diameter than the standard primer brands (CCI, Rem, etc). They may allow your Win brass to be salvaged for a few more loads. On a side note I have used them with good results in terms of accuracy as well as ES/SD when other primers weren't available.

I think the root issue is hot loads. They are WAY too hot if your primer pockets are loose after one firing.

I have used Alpha with good results. No direct experience with Peterson yet, but my friend uses it and rates it highly (normally a Lapua only guy).