6.5 creedmoor brass

Griggo06

Well-Known Member
Hi all the UK folk
Where are you buying your brass? What do you recommend?
my local RFD has Peterson at £62 for 100.
no idea if that's good or bad.
Any pointers etc welcome
 
£62.00 for 100 cases is cheap, although I have no idea how good, or bad Peterson cases are.

Lapua will cost circa £105.00 for 100 cases.
Good to know Jonny's reloading bench in YouTube. Said they were alright.

Just interested on what UK people recommend?
Where do people get their cases from and we'll all reloading supplies?

new to rifles and if I have learnt anything with all my hobbies is just wait and buy the best you can.
You'll end up with it later anyways.
 
If your just going to run small primer then Lap but i was using Starline LP with good results , £62 is cheap and iam told its good brass . also try'd Hornady factory but never got around to reloading it S&B Factory ammo delivers cheap reloadable brass .
both i still have under the bench .
 
Is there a big difference between small and large primer? And Ive hear small and large primer hole too? So much stuff going on.
 
Are you sure that's £62/100? Peterson's brass is Lapua level quality and sells for a little less than the Finnish stuff in the US. Over here, it is usually a bit more expensive given the present exchange rates. Peterson cases come in 50-ct boxes too, and I suspect that's what you get for that money. (Note, these are proper hinged lid 50-round cartridge boxes.) 1967 Spud lists them at £63.50 per 50.

Peterson makes 6.5 Creedmoor in both SRP and LRP form (likewise for 243 and 308 Win, 260 Rem and some others). IIRC, its SRP cases use the correct 1.5mm (0.059") dia. flash-hole as per Lapua.

Some other makes such as Starline offer SRP versions, but with the 2mm (0.079") size flash-hole as standard for all LRP designs and most non-match SRP ones such as 223 Rem.

Note that Peterson's LRP cases deliberately have slightly undersize primer pockets which disconcert some buyers when they prime their new brass or for the first two or three firings. This is to prolong case life as the case-head has to expand a bit more before the pocket becomes oversize giving a slack primer fit and consigning the case to the scrap box.
 
Are you sure that's £62/100? Peterson's brass is Lapua level quality and sells for a little less than the Finnish stuff in the US. Over here, it is usually a bit more expensive given the present exchange rates. Peterson cases come in 50-ct boxes too, and I suspect that's what you get for that money. (Note, these are proper hinged lid 50-round cartridge boxes.) 1967 Spud lists them at £63.50 per 50.

Peterson makes 6.5 Creedmoor in both SRP and LRP form (likewise for 243 and 308 Win, 260 Rem and some others). IIRC, its SRP cases use the correct 1.5mm (0.059") dia. flash-hole as per Lapua.

Some other makes such as Starline offer SRP versions, but with the 2mm (0.079") size flash-hole as standard for all LRP designs and most non-match SRP ones such as 223 Rem.

Note that Peterson's LRP cases deliberately have slightly undersize primer pockets which disconcert some buyers when they prime their new brass or for the first two or three firings. This is to prolong case life as the case-head has to expand a bit more before the pocket becomes oversize giving a slack primer fit and consigning the case to the scrap box.

If that's the case it was for 50 I was only in their for a short period of time..

Any advantages or disadvantages of LRP over SRP ?
 
Any advantages or disadvantages of LRP over SRP ?

LRP Pros:

  • More vigorous ignition - suits all powder types and grades and works fine in all UK temperatures with all but very large magnums.
  • Any decap pin fits the 2mm flash-hole.
  • More widely available in the shops for models that offer both types.
  • Factory ammo invariably uses LRP where there is a choice, so once-fired brass available for those who use that.
  • All rifle bolts / firing pins can handle LR primers


LRP Cons:

  • The more vigorous ignition gives less consistent MVs with some powders. (ie larger ES/SD values).
  • Less solid metal in the case-head sees faster expansion with warm to hot loads so case-life is shorter for those who load hot due to slack primer pockets.
  • Lower limit on pressures / loads, hence lower potential MVs


SRP Pros:

  • Stronger case-head allows higher pressures before the brass becomes over-stressed.
  • Stronger case-head gives longer brass life with very hot match loads.
  • Reduced MV ES values with some cartridge / powder combinations. (eg 1/3 reduction in US 'Palma' 308 Win loads with 155gn SMKs and H. VarGet.)


SRP Cons:

  • Weaker ignition flash reduces MVs over LRP and may cause problems in very cold weather giving large MV reductions or hang/misfires
  • Weaker ignition flash doesn't ignite some powders reliably - eg CFE223 in 44-48gn 308 Win charges
  • Weaker ignition flash sees SRP start to become marginal in 243 / 260 / 308 / Creedmoor size cases and charges. Some people say 6.5X47 Lapua is as large as SRP can cope with in 100% of conditions.
  • Many OEM decap pins are over-size for the 1.5mm flash-hole and must be changed to a smaller dia pin or in the case of fixed pins in Lee dies need to be slightly reduced. (Easily done - chuck the rod in a drill, run at low speed and hold emery cloth around the pin.)
  • Some factory rifles cannot cope mechanically with SR primers which are more prone to blank / crater than LR models. This can require a gunsmith job to turn the pin down and bush the bolt-face (or for AI rifles, obtain a special bolt from the factory).
  • Possible confusion over SR primer cup thickness and strength as they vary by model.

One very important point to note is that where both types are available, top loads MUST NOT be transferred from SRP to LRP cases even if in the same make of case being fired in the same rifle. Loads must be reworked from starting levels.

Therefore also beware - even more than usual - of loads / MVs quoted by friends, range acquaintances, or on Internet forums. They may be super-pressure SRP loads.
 
LRP Pros:

  • More vigorous ignition - suits all powder types and grades and works fine in all UK temperatures with all but very large magnums.
  • Any decap pin fits the 2mm flash-hole.
  • More widely available in the shops for models that offer both types.
  • Factory ammo invariably uses LRP where there is a choice, so once-fired brass available for those who use that.
  • All rifle bolts / firing pins can handle LR primers


LRP Cons:

  • The more vigorous ignition gives less consistent MVs with some powders. (ie larger ES/SD values).
  • Less solid metal in the case-head sees faster expansion with warm to hot loads so case-life is shorter for those who load hot due to slack primer pockets.
  • Lower limit on pressures / loads, hence lower potential MVs


SRP Pros:

  • Stronger case-head allows higher pressures before the brass becomes over-stressed.
  • Stronger case-head gives longer brass life with very hot match loads.
  • Reduced MV ES values with some cartridge / powder combinations. (eg 1/3 reduction in US 'Palma' 308 Win loads with 155gn SMKs and H. VarGet.)


SRP Cons:

  • Weaker ignition flash reduces MVs over LRP and may cause problems in very cold weather giving large MV reductions or hang/misfires
  • Weaker ignition flash doesn't ignite some powders reliably - eg CFE223 in 44-48gn 308 Win charges
  • Weaker ignition flash sees SRP start to become marginal in 243 / 260 / 308 / Creedmoor size cases and charges. Some people say 6.5X47 Lapua is as large as SRP can cope with in 100% of conditions.
  • Many OEM decap pins are over-size for the 1.5mm flash-hole and must be changed to a smaller dia pin or in the case of fixed pins in Lee dies need to be slightly reduced. (Easily done - chuck the rod in a drill, run at low speed and hold emery cloth around the pin.)
  • Some factory rifles cannot cope mechanically with SR primers which are more prone to blank / crater than LR models. This can require a gunsmith job to turn the pin down and bush the bolt-face (or for AI rifles, obtain a special bolt from the factory).
  • Possible confusion over SR primer cup thickness and strength as they vary by model.

One very important point to note is that where both types are available, top loads MUST NOT be transferred from SRP to LRP cases even if in the same make of case being fired in the same rifle. Loads must be reworked from starting levels.

Therefore also beware - even more than usual - of loads / MVs quoted by friends, range acquaintances, or on Internet forums. They may be super-pressure SRP loads.

Excellent advice, Laurie (and not the first time you’ve posted it 😉)
 
Trying to find out what price I should be paying for once fired Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass any pointers much appreciated
 
LRP Pros:

  • More vigorous ignition - suits all powder types and grades and works fine in all UK temperatures with all but very large magnums.
  • Any decap pin fits the 2mm flash-hole.
  • More widely available in the shops for models that offer both types.
  • Factory ammo invariably uses LRP where there is a choice, so once-fired brass available for those who use that.
  • All rifle bolts / firing pins can handle LR primers


LRP Cons:

  • The more vigorous ignition gives less consistent MVs with some powders. (ie larger ES/SD values).
  • Less solid metal in the case-head sees faster expansion with warm to hot loads so case-life is shorter for those who load hot due to slack primer pockets.
  • Lower limit on pressures / loads, hence lower potential MVs


SRP Pros:

  • Stronger case-head allows higher pressures before the brass becomes over-stressed.
  • Stronger case-head gives longer brass life with very hot match loads.
  • Reduced MV ES values with some cartridge / powder combinations. (eg 1/3 reduction in US 'Palma' 308 Win loads with 155gn SMKs and H. VarGet.)


SRP Cons:

  • Weaker ignition flash reduces MVs over LRP and may cause problems in very cold weather giving large MV reductions or hang/misfires
  • Weaker ignition flash doesn't ignite some powders reliably - eg CFE223 in 44-48gn 308 Win charges
  • Weaker ignition flash sees SRP start to become marginal in 243 / 260 / 308 / Creedmoor size cases and charges. Some people say 6.5X47 Lapua is as large as SRP can cope with in 100% of conditions.
  • Many OEM decap pins are over-size for the 1.5mm flash-hole and must be changed to a smaller dia pin or in the case of fixed pins in Lee dies need to be slightly reduced. (Easily done - chuck the rod in a drill, run at low speed and hold emery cloth around the pin.)
  • Some factory rifles cannot cope mechanically with SR primers which are more prone to blank / crater than LR models. This can require a gunsmith job to turn the pin down and bush the bolt-face (or for AI rifles, obtain a special bolt from the factory).
  • Possible confusion over SR primer cup thickness and strength as they vary by model.

One very important point to note is that where both types are available, top loads MUST NOT be transferred from SRP to LRP cases even if in the same make of case being fired in the same rifle. Loads must be reworked from starting levels.

Therefore also beware - even more than usual - of loads / MVs quoted by friends, range acquaintances, or on Internet forums. They may be super-pressure SRP loads.
@xavierdoc has mentioned you had this discussion on a thread I started (thanks xavier) I'm debating what brass to go with. When you mention cold weather, what temps are we talking about? Thanks
 
@xavierdoc has mentioned you had this discussion on a thread I started (thanks xavier) I'm debating what brass to go with. When you mention cold weather, what temps are we talking about? Thanks

That's very hard to answer as it depends on the powder in use as well as temperature. In 308 Win SP use (a more challenging task due to another four or five grains powder in the charge) I found some powders saw a significant MV drop and ES rise somewhere around the 3 or 4-deg C ambient temperature mark. One powder I tried (Hodgdon CFE-223) didn't work at any temperature with 96% hangfires and the remaining 4% failing to ignite.

It cannot even be categorised by powder make / type. Viht N140 performed poorly in cold conditions (and recovered later in the year in spring temperatures) whilst its apparently similar sibling N150 performed fine and I use N160 in a 7mm-08 compressed match load year round in SP brass. Against that, I've just tried the new Viht N555 in the 7mm-08 with very promising results from Lapua LP brass, but a noticeable deterioration in everything but but average MVs when tried in reformed Lapua 308 'Palma' cases - and that was in temperatures between 10 and 12-deg C.


For stalking using any cartridge with a larger case than that of the 6.5X47 Lapua, I'd say stick with LP brass if winter conditions are likely to approach freezing never mind lower temperatures. SP brass's main plus is its extra case-head strength allowing match and some pest shooters to load very high and still get good case life.
 
Could you PM me who is selling it at that price.
This was shot using SP Peterson Brass this morning at 900yards 6.5 CM. The first shot was what happens when you forget your reading glasses PXL_20201017_080212517.png
 
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