Ross1147
Well-Known Member
I'm getting a little tired of using federal brass in my 300 WSM. I've done all the brass prep I can think of, it shoots consistently, but it is super soft. No matter the load I get ejector marks. It's just something I've become accustomed to with it. I'm on #4 loads and haven't lost a pocket yet, but I feel like I'm leaving some performance on the table?
After using ADG, Lapua, and Norma in all my other guns I need to search for better WSM brass. This leads me to the browning nickel brass that they use in their factor ammo. First, who on earth makes it? Tried doing a google search and couldn't find it. I know a lot of people don't like nickel, but if it's better than the federal stuff maybe it's worth a shot.
I have 40 once fired cases right now that I figure I'll give a shot. All cases were trimmed, flash holes de-burred, and sorted by weight. Out of 40 cases high weight was 228.0 grn and low was 223.2 grns. This is pretty high compared to other brass I've weighed so I filled each (high/low) with water to see the internal volume. Surprisingly the light case was at 80.9 grn H2O and the heavy case was 80.5 grn H2O. Pretty dang close! So I took a few more and randomly weighed the internal volumes. All were within +- 1.1grn. Works for me.
So now I have a ladder test loaded up 181 hammers and RL26. We'll see how they shoot. Why doesn't someone make better brass for the WSM family?!??
After using ADG, Lapua, and Norma in all my other guns I need to search for better WSM brass. This leads me to the browning nickel brass that they use in their factor ammo. First, who on earth makes it? Tried doing a google search and couldn't find it. I know a lot of people don't like nickel, but if it's better than the federal stuff maybe it's worth a shot.
I have 40 once fired cases right now that I figure I'll give a shot. All cases were trimmed, flash holes de-burred, and sorted by weight. Out of 40 cases high weight was 228.0 grn and low was 223.2 grns. This is pretty high compared to other brass I've weighed so I filled each (high/low) with water to see the internal volume. Surprisingly the light case was at 80.9 grn H2O and the heavy case was 80.5 grn H2O. Pretty dang close! So I took a few more and randomly weighed the internal volumes. All were within +- 1.1grn. Works for me.
So now I have a ladder test loaded up 181 hammers and RL26. We'll see how they shoot. Why doesn't someone make better brass for the WSM family?!??