Which brand of brass?

[TheOtherLeft]

Hi guys,

I'm starting to reload and aren't sure what brand of brass I should buy? I had thought Winchester/Starline was the premium brand for reloading but I've read some bad reviews.

What brand do you recommend for reloading?

Thanks,

[dusty texian]

TOL ,I have used Winchester /Starline brass,and had very good luck with each brand . I have used them both in many different cartridges . They are both good,,,,Dusty

[Blackpowder Burn]

I use nothing but Starline and have always found it to be of excellent quality.  I use their brass in 38 Long Colt, 38-40, 44-40, 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 38-55, 40-65 and 45-70.

If you order directly from their website, I've always found they have the lowest price, no tax and free shipping.  Nobody else can touch their price.

They've also been very good about supporting our local CAS club's annual match with discounted prices on their products we give for door prizes.  They're just great people to deal with.

[August]

The way I'd answer this question would vary depending on the caliber you're shooting.

In general, I only use Winchester and Starline brass. 

[Fingers McGee]

All I use is Starline for 44-40, 45Colt, and 45-70.  Have had feeding and extracting problems with other brands in these calibers.  For .38 spl, 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP.  I use whatever I can buy cheapest or pick up at the range.

[Pit Mule]

In .45 Colt,

Starline (primary)
Remington (backup)
Winchester (if I have to) Same reason as Fingers McGee, extracting problems.

.38 special, .45acp & 45/70 anything will work.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I've been using WW for about 35 years and I guess 10 years ago added Starline to my favorites. I've never had a loaded round give me trouble that I could trace back to the brass. After about maybe 20 loading I throw it all out and buy new.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Way things are now, maybe the best brass to start with is what ever you can buy right now.

[Abilene]

In 44-40 I use Winchester or Starline brass as they have the thinnest necks in that caliber and allow me to chamber .429 bullets in my tight-chambered Uberti guns.  In 32-20 I have mostly R-P brass and a few Winchester and Starline.  The Starline are shorter in that caliber and so I would probably not buy new Starline for 32-20 unless I got rid of the R-P.  In all other calibers I use a wide mix of brass and have never had any problems with it in lever action rifles or revolvers or several 45acp semi-autos.

[dusty texian]

Way things are now, maybe the best brass to start with is what ever you can buy right now.

very true,,,,,Dusty

[Sagebrush Burns]

In 45 Colt I use Winchester and Starline brass and both have been satisfactory.  Starline seems to me to be just a tad bit more durable, but no big deal.  For bottleneck rifle brass (270, 243, etc)  I use either Winchester or Remington and am satisfied with both.

[TheOtherLeft]

Thanks for your experiences. I load for .38 spl.

What about Federal brass, can they be reloaded multiple times? Federal seem to be the most prevalent in once-fired lots. So far I use Starline and Winchester but have only loaded them once.

I've noticed Starline/Winchester seem to be the most used in my SASS club but the Federal once-fired is cheap. I'm just wondering if Federal will cause problems down the track.

[Pappy Myles]

What ever I can get my hands so as long as it's boxer primed........I havnt had any problems that wasn't attributed to worn parts on the gun.    Though I have gravitated  to star line.  Like black powder burns says, they are a great supporter  of  sass and they have the cheapest  prices for a quality product.   I load 45-70, 38-55, 45 colt, 44-40, 44spec, 38/357, and 32 long for cas.
Plus lots others for NRA high power, etc

One thing I've found in federal brass is its softer than others.  My experience with it  has only been in high power, 223, 308.   Along the 3rd or 4th reload, it won't hold a primer.     Plays heck with the lower group on an AR with spent primers floating around.   But that's high power and not cas.   Where the pressures are minuscule compared to this.

[cpt dan blodgett]

at CAS levels brass will last a long time.