FC headstamped 308 brass

[AZ.noob]

Good morning y'all

I'm fine-tuning a load with Winchester headstamped brass; it's not unusual to get 10-12 firings out of those and the consistency is pretty good. The Win brass very tough to find right now, and I'd rather not spend the money for Lapua even though it's superior (would rather spend the $ on powder/primers etc, given the choice).

However, I have a crapload of Federal headstamped 308 Win cases, all once fired. I don't mind putting the extra work into them (full prep), and I anneal every 2nd/3rd cycle. For both precision and durability (bolt action), are these FC cases worth the time and effort?

edit: I've already measured case capacity (water grains); FC capacity is roughly 98% of Winchester... I can adjust for that.

 

[jsthntn247]

Nothing at all wrong with it if you full prep it. I know where you can get new LC Match brass for .30 a piece if you are interested however.

 

[AZ.noob]

Thanks for the offer on the brass, but I'm good. I work at a range, and have access to brass

How about LC cases? They're actually a bit lighter overall than the Fed cases are, maybe a hair more capacity but I haven't measured those.

Keeping headstamp lots together (not mixing of course), and considering full prep, I suppose the basic question is are there cases to avoid for precision purposes?

 

[Beepy]

Only problem I have had with Federal Brass in 308 is the primer pockets loosen earlier. I got about 4-5 before they were done. I had a bunch of FGMM brass that I used. THEN I bought a 1000 bucket of LC.... Its going to take a while to use that all up.... And the only .308 brass that was crap was a bunch of once fired Privi Partisan (sp?) crappy crap crap stuff....

 

[AZ.noob]

Thanks guys for the input and info. Very cool

 

[jsthntn247]

Thanks for the offer on the brass, but I'm good. I work at a range, and have access to brass

How about LC cases? They're actually a bit lighter overall than the Fed cases are, maybe a hair more capacity but I haven't measured those.

Keeping headstamp lots together (not mixing of course), and considering full prep, I suppose the basic question is are there cases to avoid for precision purposes?

The LC Lr brass that I have now is 2 grains heaveir on average than Lapua but has the same internal capacity.

 

[waste_knot]

I'm interested. LC match brass is just as good as Lapua IMO. A little bit harder and may need a little more work but holds up well.

 

[FLIGHT762]

I use a lot of Federal GMM brass since the price was right. As Beepy said, the primer pockets will usually be the first to go because the brass is a little softer than other brands. I have some that are on their 8th firing and the pockets are still useable. Just depends on how hot you run them.

If I am purchasing new brass, Federal would be my last choice, but once fired brass at a good price, the Federal brass works well. I prep them by F/L sizing, squaring the primer pocket, trim to length and then ream the inside flash hole.

 

[AZ.noob]

Thanks guys for the input and info. Very cool

Like I said, thanks fellas. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
I should've mentioned the LC stuff I have is 7.62x51 NATO... its all been through semi-autos and is beat up some; some dents, quite a bit of case growth/expansion having been run through fat chambers. Those take some elbow grease to put 'em back to where they need to be for a precision chamber of course.