Is Lapua brass 35% better than Norma?

[25 Sharps]

As title, just put in a variation for 300 PRC, I’ll be selling the .308 and starting to get reloading consumables together soon.

Lapua brass seems to be around 35% more than Norma, is it worth the extra?

I use Norma (reformed .270) cases in .280, and admittedly pockets are getting looser after 4 or so firings but not so loose they won’t work.

I use lapua in .223 AI and probably getting the same, although none of the brass came to me new so I can’t be 100% on the reported number of loads on each piece. Creedmoor is still going strong after 6 firings but that’s SRP so not a direct comparison.

I’ve not loaded both lapua and Norma side by side in the same rifle for the same load so not had a direct comparison.

So question is I guess, will I get say 50% more firings?

Edit. I’ve just seen ADG is similar price to Norma.

So lapua, ADG or Norma?

 

[Eric the Red]

ADG is excellent. Case capacity a little smaller so need to work up loads carefully. Lapua is fine - as to whether it's 30% better - personal opinion. I've not come across Norma PRC brass to date - seemed fine in 300WM

 

[KimE]

I use Norma range pickup brass in my .308w and buy Norma practice ammo to have only to deal with one brand of cases. In my .300blk I use Hornady as they are available and I don`t want to make new reloading developement with other brass. I expect Hornady are the most common manufactorer of 300prc brass and you will most likely find it then you want more of it or if you want to use factory ammo.

 

[Eric the Red]

.....Hornady brass found wanting in all the PRC's IMO.

 

[Cumbrian 1]

Isn’t lapua brass made by Norma?

 

[Len the dog]

Isn’t lapua brass made by Norma?

Lapua are part of the Nammo group, Norma are owned by Beretta, as is RWS.

 

[25 Sharps]

.....Hornady brass found wanting in all the PRC's IMO.

As it is with creedmoor, to be honest I don’t use it as a rule although I am in .243 as o got it cheap.

 

[25 Sharps]

Isn’t lapua brass made by Norma?

No.

 

[25 Sharps]

I use Norma range pickup brass in my .308w and buy Norma practice ammo to have only to deal with one brand of cases. In my .300blk I use Hornady as they are available and I don`t want to make new reloading developement with other brass. I expect Hornady are the most common manufactorer of 300prc brass and you will most likely find it then you want more of it or if you want to use factory ammo.

Only really interested in good quality brass as it’s a high pressure cartridge. I suspect hornady pockets would give up pretty quick

 

[Bavarianbrit]

RWS is high quality but I find it to be soft when running through my press, PPU is a harder brass IMO so the primer pockets should last longer if they even do that calibre.

 

[scotch_egg]

Norma is good quality brass.

I’ve got some 7mm SAUM. I would quite happily use it if available at a better price than lapua.

 

[MarinePMI]

I've heard the Hornady brass is trash in the cartridge (I have several friends that shoot 300PRC).

That being said, I don't think Lapua is worth the extra cost, over ADG or Norma. The casehead is incredibly think in the 300PRC case (I've made many 300PRC OAL case gauges from spent brass, so know how thick the case head is), so as long as it's decently made brass, it should be fine. Many use Norma cases here, with little complaint.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Lapua is harder and can stand up to pressure better but will require annealing more often
Norma is some of the finest Brass around but am surprised its 35% cheaper as its usually eye wateringly expensive!!
sure the Norma price is not for 50?

if you are getting loose pockets your loads are too hot

running 60gr of N160 behind 130gr Interlocks in my .270 I must have exceeded 10-12 firings on Norma brass

 

[scotch_egg]

Lapua is harder and can stand up to pressure better but will require annealing more often
Norma is some of the finest Brass around but am surprised its 35% cheaper as its usually eye wateringly expensive!!
sure the Norma price is not for 50?

if you are getting loose pockets your loads are too hot

running 60gr of N160 behind 130gr Interlocks in my .270 I must have exceeded 10-12 firings on Norma brass

That’s a valid point. I bet prices will be for 50.

I’ve hear reports when 7mm SAUM brass will be £170/50

 

[Laurie]

Norma is some of the finest Brass around but am surprised its 35% cheaper as its usually eye wateringly expensive!!
sure the Norma price is not for 50?

Everything I've priced in the last few years which is made by both companies has seen Norma significantly dearer, so if it is 30% cheaper in this case, this has to be a one-off! Grab it quick!

 

[scotch_egg]

Peterson brass is available from Brownells. Also good brass.

 

[Laurie]

Peterson brass is available from Brownells. Also good brass.

Yes, Peterson is very good - but £200/100 if you buy a 250-pc carton, or £229.80 / 100 if bought in 50-ct cartons!

 

[Laurie]

I’ve hear reports when 7mm SAUM brass will be £170/50

I bought 100 Norma .300 RSAUM cases from Spud a few months ago, at £215 / 100 (2 x 50-pc cartons at £107.50 each), so maybe not quite as bad as that. The SAUMs are limited production run jobs these days and I suspect a lot more expensive to manufacture than the PRCs.

 

[scotch_egg]

I bought 100 Norma .300 RSAUM cases from Spud a few months ago, at £215 / 100 (2 x 50-pc cartons at £107.50 each), so maybe not quite as bad as that. The SAUMs are limited production run jobs these days and I suspect a lot more expensive to manufacture than the PRCs.

Thank you Laurie. I sourced some ADG from the states including import duty for considerably less.

We are lucky there are alternatives coming to market.

 

[25 Sharps]

Lapua is harder and can stand up to pressure better but will require annealing more often
Norma is some of the finest Brass around but am surprised its 35% cheaper as its usually eye wateringly expensive!!
sure the Norma price is not for 50?

if you are getting loose pockets your loads are too hot

running 60gr of N160 behind 130gr Interlocks in my .270 I must have exceeded 10-12 firings on Norma brass

£174/100 vs £66/50.

They’re not looser to the extent they aren’t working just getting looser after 4/5 firings. It was ‘once’ fired from someone else and some had extractor marks so they could have been running hot loads.

I’m at Hodgdons max load of 63 gr H4831 (for a 120) behind a 124 copper yew tree. I realise the copper will likely bump the pressure up but hodgdon show 53kpsi for that load and .270 brass should be rated to 65kpsi.