Is quality brass worth it in a AR platform?

Lrreloader

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2019
Messages
2,664
Location
Pa
Is quality brass worth the cost in an AR?
I have used Lapua,Nosler,Norma,etc in bolt guns but those that reload for AR can you see a difference in "name brand brass"?
 
On my AR-10 that I shoot to a 1,000 I use Lapua brass and keep it just for that rifle, on my others, no.

I have seen more consistency out of quality brass when I have it setup and dedicated to one platform.
 
That all depends? My 6.5 Creedmoor AR is on par with bolt gun accuracy, using Hornady brass, but every so often, it likes to eat brass. So I use 100pc bulk Hornady from Midsouth in it or American Gunner.
 
It depends on what you plan on using it for. My 223 plinker I don't really care. For my 6.5 Grendel I'm running Lapua, and a brass catcher. That stuff is too expensive to hit the concrete!
I got a Christensen arms recon-15 I plan on using for predators, so gun is definitely worthy of the expensive stuff but didn't know how much got chewed up from use if it was worth it
 
I'm using Starline in my RRA-VA4. I think it's pretty good. I was also using Lake City and Hornady. They all seem to shoot the same and I get multiple cycles from all three but don't keep very close track of it. I do use a brass catcher too.

I think that it's worth getting good brass for AR platform rifles. They have relatively tight tolerances and to me, it makes sense to run the best stuff you're willing to pony up for in these semi-automatic sporting rifles!
 
You'll see a difference, just like anything else, the more variables you get rid of, the better your results will be. Whether or not it's worth it, depends on what you intend to do with it.
 
I got a Christensen arms recon-15 I plan on using for predators, so gun is definitely worthy of the expensive stuff but didn't know how much got chewed up from use if it was worth it
If everything is functioning properly, and you use a brass catcher it shouldn't chew it up. Gas pressure too high, too light on the buffer, rough chamber, sharp edges on bolt, feed ramps, mags, will all eat brass.
 
Id start with seeing what the gun can do with quality ammo. Then move to reloading with cheap or available brass. Try to build a good load with that. If you aren't getting the precision you want or know the gun is capable of then yeah, move up to the good stuff. My 5.56 ARs like lake city brass. My OBR likes FGGM.
 
If everything is functioning properly, and you use a brass catcher it shouldn't chew it up. Gas pressure too high, too light on the buffer, rough chamber, sharp edges on bolt, feed ramps, mags, will all eat brass.
It's a piston system that is adjustable, and I'm going to use a Lancer 10 rd mag
 
Having an adjustable gas system in my experience really helps with how much the brass gets beat up once you get it dialed in. I run SLR gas blocks on mine. Pairing a appropriate weight buffer and spring to your system will help some too. If your running quality brass run a shell catcher as well so they aren't getting flung all over and getting more beat up and lost. I run the shell catcher out in the field shooting coyotes and have had no issues, just get a decent one that stays rigid up top near the ejection port or you may have some malfunctions from brass hanging up, found that out on my first one at the range. I run Lapua brass in my nice AR-10 and it is much more consistent just like using quality brass in a bolt gun.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 5 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top