hal8337
Member
Posts: 89 
Location: Livonia, Louisiana
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Post by hal8337 on Oct 8, 2014 8:08:59 GMT -5
When I first started reloading I was fortunate enough to have a supply of needed brass from family members but now it has dwindled away w/o being replenished. My son-in-law purchased some so called once shot brass from a gun show which looked pretty bad so instead of buying once shot I decided to buy new brass. I bought 50 new (Hornady) 30-06 and once opened I noticed a difference in feel. I weighed them at 171 grains and then weighed the brass (RP) that I have been reloading for a while at 195 grains. I know they make different qualities of brass as like any other item but when making a bomb it concerns me. Is the lack of brass spread thru out the case? I would think that they fall into the regulations of SAAMI.
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bob
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I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Oct 8, 2014 8:32:43 GMT -5
Hal, You can easily determin whether the difference is over all by carefully filling each different case with water then weighing the water. It is common for there to be a difference in brass weight and volume which is why we start at he begining load levels and work back up to our previous "good" load. We may not be able to get there. As far as strength Hornady cases probably are with in spec.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 9:05:10 GMT -5
Howdy Hall,
To start with, you are perfectly fine to use the Hornady brass, it’s premier first class material.
Yes, the lesser material “volume” is spread over the case (wall), mainly between the case mouth and the base. You can be assured that all Hornady brass will be within the SAAMI specifications.
The weight difference between the two you measured is about 1,5grams (Metric) that is pretty negligible for a .30-06 case. There will be probably a bit more available case volume with the new (Hornady) brass. It would concern me quit a bit more if you had these differences within the same batch of cases. In that case one should check for actual case volume between the cases them self to see how uniform they are. (like Bob mentioned)
But do note there is an other major factor what might result in a lower weight and that is the alloy composition. This newer brass might contain less copper and more nickel, this results in a lower density (specific gravity) while the rest (wall thickness, case volume and so on) stays the same.
It’s pretty hard to find out if these cases have different alloy or made out of less material. Much to many misconceptions there is an actual difference between factory brass used for ammo and brass that is made just for reloading (like Starline). Cases especially made for reloading are less hard and less dense than brass used for ready made over the counter ammo. Over time with the proper usage the brass made for reloading should last longer.
If you treat your new brass with respect and according to the reloading “etiquette” they will last just as long as your former RP brass.
PJ.
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7mmmountaineer
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Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Oct 8, 2014 9:16:04 GMT -5
Hal I use Hornady brass in 7RM and 6.5 Creedmoor and other than their case mouths being a little on the soft side before annealing I have not had any issues with their brass. A lot of folks complain about that with Hornady brass but to me it just falls in the case prep category. The Creedmoor brass needed more work than the 7RM did in that some of the flash holes had burs but over all the brass is as good as say Win and Rem brass. I have one batch of 7RM brass that has 9 loading on it the other batch all I did was fire form to my chamber the Creedmoor brass all has 5 loadings run through them with out any issues to date. Like Bob said start your load development over my 7RM brass has slightly less case capacity than the Norma brass I was using.
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hal8337
Member
Posts: 89
Location: Livonia, Louisiana
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Post by hal8337 on Oct 8, 2014 11:26:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys as always for the good info.
PJ I did weighed about 20 cases and they were real consistent in weight. The different ally composition entered my mind after I posted but thanks for confirming that they do mix alloys and the cases aren't 100% copper.
Bob I will try the water treatment to confirm volume.
7mm I will remember to start new loads for the new brass instead of what has worked with the older brass. |
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My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
