What Brass Should I Use?

[crowlja]

Starting new load development on 6.5 PRC. I'm finding Hornaday, ADG, and Lapua brass pretty easily.

I've used Lapua brass quite a bit but also have heard good things about ADG brass, but never used it. I've used Hornaday brass for my 6.5 Grendel, but only have 2-3 firings on this brass and the bulk of this was factor loaded then once reloaded & fired. So far I'm so-so on this brass and not fully done with load development.

So figured I'd ask Rokslide . What brass should I start off with for my 6.5 PRC.
I'll be reloading for a Seekins PH3, 20" barrel. I do own a suppressor and do plan to suppress this rifle as well.

Also, if anyone else has feed back on powder and bullets that seams to be shooting well out of your 6.5 PRC (especially if you have a Seekins barrel). I'm at square 1 with this rifle and load development so looking for a good spot to start.

 

[Jebel]

Lapua, ADG, and Peterson are all top tier in my experience. Not sure you’ll find meaningful daylight between them.

I’ve used them all in non-6.5 PRC cartridges, so don’t know of particulars with that case.

 

[huntnful]

Lapua for sure.

What powder and bullets to do have? Or intend to use?

 

[crowlja]

Lapua for sure.

What powder and bullets to do have? Or intend to use?

Thinking H1000, but i dont have any at the moment. As far as bullets. I was looking at the Nosler AB, and giving the ELD-X a shot.

 

[crowlja]

Forgot the mention, cost of the brass is for 100 pieces. Some of these are only sold in lots of 50 so 2 boxes is where the price came from, and off of Scheels website. I'm sure one can shop around and find the brass cheaper.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I use lapua and Peterson whenever I can (20-06, 308, 6.5cm). I have some normal stuff that I don’t mind but anything I buy from here on out will be lapua and Peterson.

I have a box of ADG for 308 that seems good enough, it’s on its 2nd firing so no idea how it holds up over time. I also have some alpha munitions brass for 6.5xm which seems to be high quality but I haven't used it yet. For my 375HH rifles, I’ve found some norma and I have some Winchester stuff that’s old but unfired. I can’t seem to find anything “high end” for it.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I've never used Lapua because it always tends to be slim stock when I'm trying to find brass, but I've got nothing but good to say about ADG in my 6.5 PRC. Peterson is good quality, but not as robust as ADG and shows pressure quicker. Around 57gr of H1000 or N565 with 140 class bullets seems to be a pretty common load in the PRC, most of them just shoot.

 

[Balderdash]

Kinda depends on how long you plan to run it, how much precision you're chasing and how much prep you do.

There's no doubt the Lapua is top shelf and worth the money if you are going to anneal and plan to keep it for many loadings.

I don't have near as much experience with ADG or Peterson, but if the price is anywhere close to Lapua, then I wouldn't mess around, all else being equal.

Right now I'm running Hornady brass in my 6.5 PRC. Have buckets of it and Norma from a few buddies who don't reload. Groups as tight as anything. My Tikka isn't picky.

 

[Caseknife]

I use lapua and Peterson whenever I can (20-06, 308, 6.5cm). I have some normal stuff that I don’t mind but anything I buy from here on out will be lapua and Peterson.

I have a box of ADG for 308 that seems good enough, it’s on its 2nd firing so no idea how it holds up over time. I also have some alpha munitions brass for 6.5xm which seems to be high quality but I haven't used it yet. For my 375HH rifles, I’ve found some norma and I have some Winchester stuff that’s old but unfired. I can’t seem to find anything “high end” for it.

If that is not a typo, that 20-06 must be a smoker

 

[thinhorn_AK]

If that is not a typo, that 20-06 must be a smoker

My bad, 30-06.

 

[MooreAK]

I use lapua and Peterson whenever I can (20-06, 308, 6.5cm). I have some normal stuff that I don’t mind but anything I buy from here on out will be lapua and Peterson.

I have a box of ADG for 308 that seems good enough, it’s on its 2nd firing so no idea how it holds up over time. I also have some alpha munitions brass for 6.5xm which seems to be high quality but I haven't used it yet. For my 375HH rifles, I’ve found some norma and I have some Winchester stuff that’s old but unfired. I can’t seem to find anything “high end” for it.

ADG announced they are making brass for 375 H&H this year. On their schedule on the their website if you’re still in the market.

 

[tkabzems]

Another vote for ADG

 

[thinhorn_AK]

ADG announced they are making brass for 375 H&H this year. On their schedule on the their website if you’re still in the market.

I’d definetly buy that if I get the chance. Right now I have ~ 400 rounds loaded for the 375 and probably close to a dozen boxes of factory ammo.

For reloading I have an endless supply of 260g partitions, accubonds and 250g ttsx and ~ 6lbs of the powder I need. My plan is to sort of just start loading 375 and stopping when I run out of supplies then I should pretty much be done with that one for life. I just don’t shoot high volumes of it. Usually 5-10 rounds before going hunting then whatever I shoot while hunting which last year was nothing since I just used a 30-06.

 

[wind gypsy]

My understanding is that gunwerks brass is typically manufactured by ADG and Weatherby is by Peterson.

 

[WeiserBucks]

My understanding is that gunwerks brass is typically manufactured by ADG and Weatherby is by Peterson.

Historically WBY brass was from Norma but I haven't paid attention over the years.

 

[wind gypsy]

Historically WBY brass was from Norma but I haven't paid attention over the years.

Very well could vary by cartridge. I heard 6.5 RPM was by peterson. Traditional belted cases may still be by norma?

 

[crowlja]

The ADG brass comes in a ammo box. Not sure if that would persuade anyone towards ADG?

I think if I shop around a little I can probably find Laupa brass a little cheaper and I'll Likely stick with Laupa because it's been good to me thus far...unless I find ADG for a good deal as well then maybe ill give them a shot.

 

[huntnful]

The ADG brass comes in a ammo box. Not sure if that would persuade anyone towards ADG?

I think if I shop around a little I can probably find Laupa brass a little cheaper and I'll Likely stick with Laupa because it's been good to me thus far...unless I find ADG for a good deal as well then maybe ill give them a shot.

You haven’t bought brass yet?! Should already have 100 rounds down that barrel lol

 

[crowlja]

You haven’t bought brass yet?! Should already have 100 rounds down that barrel lol

Hahahaha
I have the rifle and a scope...don't have rings, brass, dies, ammo, or most importantly of all...don't have time!

In all seriousness tho, we've had some poorly timed issues all come up at once ranging from somewhat costly home repairs to mother-in-law in the hospital. So as eager as I am to get some lead down range, it just hasn't been a priority the last few weeks.

 

[swavescatter]

My Sako S20 loves Lapua brass with N565 and 156g Bergers. I loaded the Bergers just because I had a bunch, but if starting over I would go with Peterson brass since I think it comes in a nice case (Lapua went cheap and now just dumps them loose in a cardboard box).

N565 for powder, and I would run 147 ELDMs.