Many cartridges I shot perform their most accurate loads at peak pressure. For this reason, Federal, Nosler, and often Norma just will not stand up to the pressures. You may get a couple of firings, then the primer pockets will leak gas at the very least. The above characteristics are very evident in 7 Mag, 270 Win, 30/06, and 308. I recently got a 5 gallon bucket of once fired federal gold metal in 308 fired at the rifle range out of swat team's Bolt guns, Bergara. I get one or two firings out of the brass before the primer pockets are toast. I could go on an on.
Winchester brass is tougher than Rem., and the old Winchester blue bag and older is a treasure to find.
Today, we are blessed with really fantastic brass, Alpha, AGD, Peterson, Lapua.....we could only dream of such brass 30 years ago.
Nothing upsets me more than to work up a bug hole load, then to find out the brass looses primer pockets in 2 or three firings. All the trips to the rifle range, gun cleanings, components shot to heck. I have been in two ballistic labs, I know how these guys come up with the max pressures, and most often, it has nothing to do with what your rifle will produce...it is an example of what their barrel does....that is all.
Paying extra for good brass is an investment in yourself.
I shoot Remington brass in max loads with the 7 Rem mag, and I get 5 firings on the brass at least, exept on the load with the 150-154g at 3250 where the brass lasts 2 firings shooting sub 3/8" groups. I Shoot Winchester and Remington in the 270 Winchester. Then shoot Winchester in the 6.5/06, Sig 277 in the 260 AI,243 Win, and 308, and Lapua, PMC in a lot of loads in the 308s. I shoot PMC and Remington in the 22/250 AI's, Remington in the 243 AIs.
Federal 270 and 30/06 brass I gave away to new reloaders and coached them on accuracy loads that were less than max loads to be used on short range deer shots.
My crazy brother took his load from PMC 257 Weatherby brass, loaded it in NEW Nosler brass he got on one heck of a deal, and proceded to blow the primer out of the Nosler brass on the first firing! IDIOT!
Norma brass is very, very uniform brass, but it has a lot of capacity, meaning that it is thinner round the web. This makes for a weak case head...you just can not shoot max pressures.
A guy is way ahead in his reloading if he uses nothing other than AGD, Alpha, and Peterson in SAAMI spec chambers. IF you have a CIP(european spec) chamber, you can run Lapua and Norma. CIP chambers are found in Tikkas and Sako and others made in Europe. You better know what you have in this regard, I and many others have been busted trying to run Lapua in 223& AI, 22/250(AI), 243 & AI, 22-243 AI, 7/08 and AI, 30/06 custom barrels that are cut to SAAMI spec, the lapua brass is just too big for the chamber.
If you work up your loads where you find pressure, back off 2.5g and then work up a load, use good brass, build a good, solid foundation for your rifle to run on. Again, we are really blessed to have Alpha, AGD, and Peterson's incredible dedication to serve reloaders, and all three strive to be equal or better than Lapua.
No matter who makes the brass, particular lot# can have culls for various reasons. Be open minded in this regard, don't let your pride trip you up.
