Is RWS 223 brass any good for precision shooting?
I'm looking at either running that or Starline 5.56 for PRS matches
I'm looking at either running that or Starline 5.56 for PRS matches
RWS 223 brass
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I’m running it in a 223ai and like it. From all I’ve heard, it’s really tough stuff and has worked very well for me over 4-5 firings so far
After failing to find lapua and shooting out my shitty mixed lot pmc brass, I settled on primed Norma from powder valley to try after reading this.
I haven’t shot it yet but we’ll see.
I haven’t shot it yet but we’ll see.
Damn, wish I talked to you first haha. Iv got 300 pieces for now, hopefully lapua becomes existent or alpha/peterson steps up by the time I wear this out.
I bought some Lapua on a whim from PV, back when it wasn't impossible to find. I also use LC nato headstamps for practice ammo, and to keep wear and tear off the Lapua. IMHO the LC is pretty dang usable...
The downsides to LC are you need new bushing (-2thou), you need a SRP primer-pocket tool, and to deal with cutting out the crimps 1x. This is a bit of money cost/time cost that offsets its more widespread availability.
However, its nice to have an option with mil-surp sourcing and the loads all figured out. Its also accurate enough for 2moa use inside 600 yds.
The main reason of mentioning this, however, is if you want to ultimately use Lapua you probably need something to buy you time between re-stock intervals. Because when its in stock, you really need to jump on it. (Which also needs some $$ on hand and some comittment to .223 over the long run.)
In that case, in particular, LC isn't a bad option to go with IMHO.
Just my $0,02
The downsides to LC are you need new bushing (-2thou), you need a SRP primer-pocket tool, and to deal with cutting out the crimps 1x. This is a bit of money cost/time cost that offsets its more widespread availability.
However, its nice to have an option with mil-surp sourcing and the loads all figured out. Its also accurate enough for 2moa use inside 600 yds.
The main reason of mentioning this, however, is if you want to ultimately use Lapua you probably need something to buy you time between re-stock intervals. Because when its in stock, you really need to jump on it. (Which also needs some $$ on hand and some comittment to .223 over the long run.)
In that case, in particular, LC isn't a bad option to go with IMHO.
Just my $0,02
where are you guys finding RWS brass? The stuff at Brownell's for $20/100? That seems unbelievably cheap for excellent quality German/Swiss brass
For 50 BMG there is nothing that compares to RWS. I carefully measured H20 capacity of a lot of that and compared it to Lapua. There was no contest, the SD of the RWS was approaching zero. I almost couldn't believe it.
I always thought the only reason Lapua is preferred to RWS in the USA is because it's more available here.
For 50 BMG there is nothing that compares to RWS. I carefully measured H20 capacity of a lot of that and compared it to Lapua. There was no contest, the SD of the RWS was approaching zero. I almost couldn't believe it.
I always thought the only reason Lapua is preferred to RWS in the USA is because it's more available here.
RWS is the only brass I consider to be equal or superior to Lapua. Before Lapua came out with 300 PRC, I used RWS 8x68S to fire form into 300 PRC. It was amazing.
The only issues with it are that they don't make it for popular US cartridges, and it's not readily available in the US.
The only issues with it are that they don't make it for popular US cartridges, and it's not readily available in the US.
I suspect the vast majority of NRA high master XTC shooters over the last 25 years got there with used LC brass. We’re talking holding 2 MOA or better to 600 yards in unsupported body positions with mag changes at 200 and 300. What PRS match has a requirement stricter than that which would require more accuracy than LC+ 205M+ VarGet/RL15 is capable of?
@sinister -AMU ran LC, correct?
@sinister -AMU ran LC, correct?
Yep, virgin cases straight from Lake City with staked match primers. They shipped them to us in 20mm Vulcan cans.
Back in my day the load was V8 -- 23.5 grains of VV N135 pushing a Sierra 80. I'm told they've moved on to new magic.
I'm currently shooting 23.4 of IMR 8208 BR under a Berger 80.5 Fullbore Target in Winchester or IMI cases now.
It's easier for me to track -- Lake City cases for 200 and 300.
Wish virgin LC brass straight from Lake City was readily available now, if it is I must have missed it in my searches.
We’ll probably never see it again. I have used old blue bag Winchester as well, very good if you can find it.
Edit:
I’m currently shooting a lot if the primed Norma from Raven and PV. 69 RMR and 77 SMKs. Groups fine from an AR, as good as I can shoot. I’m using it for run and gun mostly so no reloading.
Starline 5.56 is pretty good stuff , as is their 223 REM. You’ll probably have to mandrel it to even the necks out.
I picked up 500 of these a few weeks ago. Haven’t loaded any yet. I will probably use these in a mk12 and recover them.
Got the last 800 pieces of the RWS stuff delivered today from Brownell's. Has exact same internal capacity as new Lapua (29.7 gr H2O). Measured 5, and the SD of capacity was 0.18 grains. 5th one was an outlier at 30.1, ruined the SD, without that one SD was 0.043 grains H2O!
Measured 5 once-fired Lapua, the SD of capacity was 0.15 gr H2O.
So, I'd say in terms of consistency alone, this stuff is there with or superior to Lapua. And for $20/100 it was an unbeatable deal.
Measured 5 once-fired Lapua, the SD of capacity was 0.15 gr H2O.
So, I'd say in terms of consistency alone, this stuff is there with or superior to Lapua. And for $20/100 it was an unbeatable deal.
