best brass 308
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Kevin Thomas
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Nonsense! You can still order Lapua 308 brass through any of our importers or distributors. Kaltron-Pettibone, Graf & Sons, Sinclair, Midway and a host of others. 
emn83
Well-Known Member
Lapua is awesome brass, order it online.
OTOH, i have over 200 Hornady and SSA brass respectively, and both have worked well in my limited reloading, including multiple loadings of some of the Hornady
OTOH, i have over 200 Hornady and SSA brass respectively, and both have worked well in my limited reloading, including multiple loadings of some of the Hornady
Nonsense! You can still order Lapua 308 brass through any of our importers or distributors. Kaltron-Pettibone, Graf & Sons, Sinclair, Midway and a host of others.
No deal, Im in Australia and the new rep Nioa dont takeover till August here in Queensland , we cant import brass etc direct from the states as an individual
I should have made the situation clear Geographically sorry .
backwoods83
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Austrailia still uses 7.62 nato for military and tactical purposes I believe, if so you should be able to find once fired military brass, here in the states I use LC stamped cases or simply lake city, you should be able to find IMI or PPU stamped cases and for the price its excellent brass, I can destroy the primers in lake city brass and the pockets still hold strong and the weight is also consistent. Don't get me wrong, Lapua is still the top dog, but this way is cheaper and its second best IMO.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
I'll probably get chastized for this but I'm not at all sure Lapua brass in 308 is top dog when you weigh price per case versus brass like lake City (Federal) or Starline.
I realize that in Oz, those may not be available but here they are and I don't see the military using Lapua in 5.56 NATO or 308.
I realize that in Oz, those may not be available but here they are and I don't see the military using Lapua in 5.56 NATO or 308.
backwoods83
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Basically the only reason I call Lapua top dog over lake city is that initially Lapua takes less to prep the first go round, after that, I haven't seen any real difference. After I got my first batch of 1000 LC cases, I pretty much quit buying brass for anything in the 308 family, I use it for 243, 243AI, 260, 7-08, and obviously 308, I only use commercial cases when its not for me. So I'm not gonna bash you for saying that, its by far the most efficient way.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
My last buy was 3000 each way and that was 2 years ago. You are right, initial prep is time consuming but after that, other than an ocassional anneal, I have no growth issues or other problems in 308 as well as .223.
On the .223 once fired mil spec, most primed brass comes crimped in (so they don't move in full auto magazines). I usually remove the crimp in one of my engine lathes with a MAFord countersink but Dillon Precision makes a dandy bench mounted crimp reformer thats worth the price of admission, have one as well.
At one time HSM was loading for the Secret Service and I presume other agency's in I believe Bertram which is their house brass. I tend to shoot HSM in 308 with Bergers or Sierra if I'm not igniting my handloaded LC's.
Wideners is my 'go to' for once cycled brass, or Starline or Scharch (Top Brass) depending on availability of components.
Wideners is also a C&R dealer, an added plus for those of us who are C&R licensed.
On the .223 once fired mil spec, most primed brass comes crimped in (so they don't move in full auto magazines). I usually remove the crimp in one of my engine lathes with a MAFord countersink but Dillon Precision makes a dandy bench mounted crimp reformer thats worth the price of admission, have one as well.
At one time HSM was loading for the Secret Service and I presume other agency's in I believe Bertram which is their house brass. I tend to shoot HSM in 308 with Bergers or Sierra if I'm not igniting my handloaded LC's.
Wideners is my 'go to' for once cycled brass, or Starline or Scharch (Top Brass) depending on availability of components.
Wideners is also a C&R dealer, an added plus for those of us who are C&R licensed.
Firstly thanks guys for your replies and assistance. I have written to NIOA today to get an update on when they can supply Lapua in 308/7.62 and 223 / 5.56. Additionally Hornady , Federal and Starline are all available here in the interim. Ive never seen ex military brass in those cals available in Aust but thats not to say thats not possible .
As a matter of interest. The Australian forces mainly use the Austrian Austeyr 88..Bullpup design, 5.56 rifle but also 7.62 in various fully automatic and Sniper rifles based on the Rem 700.They also use 338 Lapua and 50 BMG but mainly for special forces ie , S.A.S. Fortunately we are well served for projectiles with Sierra, Hornady, Barnes, Nosler, Berger etc and the local suppliers like Woodleigh and Winchester Australia.
Euro brands Highland , Sellier Belliot, Norma and RWS are available in either factory loaded rounds or projectiles .
As a matter of interest. The Australian forces mainly use the Austrian Austeyr 88..Bullpup design, 5.56 rifle but also 7.62 in various fully automatic and Sniper rifles based on the Rem 700.They also use 338 Lapua and 50 BMG but mainly for special forces ie , S.A.S. Fortunately we are well served for projectiles with Sierra, Hornady, Barnes, Nosler, Berger etc and the local suppliers like Woodleigh and Winchester Australia.
Euro brands Highland , Sellier Belliot, Norma and RWS are available in either factory loaded rounds or projectiles .
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Vince...
In as much as Hodgon powder is an Australian company, is it readily available over there?
In as much as Hodgon powder is an Australian company, is it readily available over there?
My understanding is that Thales supply some but not all of Hodgdons powder choices. It is manufactured at ADI . Australian Defence Industries. If you google ADI Data it will show you there web page with load recomendations etc. You can also google Hodgdon ADI powder equivalents as they have different names over here .For instance Varget is AR2208 , Retumbo is AR2225 ,H4350 is AR2209, H4895 is AR2206H and H50BMG is AR2218. ADI /Thales powders are the mainstays of reloading here, I also use Win 760 and 748 , Trail Boss and the Alliant and Vitavouri are common.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Vitavouri may be extinct shortly. The company was sold and the future of it is uncertain from what I've read.
From what i gather its a modern plant and Id be a little surprised if the govt didnt step in in some role if a buyer wasnt found. Finland has a modern proactive defence force and with their history ! may think its in the public interest for the plant to remain open. Im just guessing here, but with the financial problems facing many Euro countries , France among them it may just be a case of the French owners pulling in their horns, rather than that the plant is unviable. time will tell I guess.
