What becomes of the 220 Russian brass you guys sort out?

D

Doug Rumbaugh

Guest
I have a 20 PPC varmint rifle I am getting ready to make a lot (read 1000-2000) of rounds for a future Prarie Dog hunt. My load is for non-neckturned new 220 Russian Lapua brass shooting Berger 50 grainers. Instead of buying new brass and bullets, I thought there might be some bulk out there that you guys reject. Are culls part of your BR world or do you use them all?
 
I use mine to set dies up, neck turners, etc. Especially use some when I set up my forming dies to make 22-.100 shorts. You always lose a few and I generally only have very few culls anyway. Now, maybe the ones you could find, are ones from a while back that are concave (rounded slightly) at the base. I ran into some of these and they just don't make really good rounds, especially at hot loads and are not super reliable if you have an ejector. Should work great on a hunt. If you want, I'll check and see if I have a hundred or two of these. I had some but will have to look. If I do, I'll sell them at a good price. Just let me know if your interested. Otherwise, you might or might not get a break if you order 1000 pcs but I didn't get one at 500 pcs. I know my last bullet order of 5000 got me no discount but he did ship them in a USPS flat rate box and that's sure a savings.

Hovis
 
Doug,

The last time I bought brass, I used a few of my culls to set up my dies. I had 3 or 4 out of 1000 that the necks split upon expanding. Bottom line, Lapua is excellent brass and I have few culls - especially since I now order them weight sorted from Ron Hoehn.

Last batch that I set up (200 pieces) were so good that the only "cull" I had was one that I ruined when I dropped it (neck first) onto the concrete floor.

My point is that I doubt that anyone has that many culls sitting around.

Good luck,
 
Perhaps - - -

A 223 would have been a better choice considering that you wanted 2000 rounds made up. It is real easy to acquite 2000 once fired 223 brass for free. just go to a range where John Q Public goes to shoot his AR.The never bother to pick any of em up usually. I use to pick them up but after I had several hundred, I stopped. I have seen a brass bucket 1/4 full of them in times past; a 5 Gal bucket! Would have been easier all the way around.
 
Pete Wass said:
A 223 would have been a better choice considering that you wanted 2000 rounds made up. It is real easy to acquite 2000 once fired 223 brass for free. just go to a range where John Q Public goes to shoot his AR.The never bother to pick any of em up usually. I use to pick them up but after I had several hundred, I stopped. I have seen a brass bucket 1/4 full of them in times past; a 5 Gal bucket! Would have been easier all the way around.
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Ditto on the 223. Even if you purchase one fired brass, it is quite inexpensive. I'm also a big 20 caliber fan. A 20 Tactical or 20 Practical is really worth it and is formed from 223 brass.
 
Pete Wass said:
A 223 would have been a better choice considering that you wanted 2000 rounds made up. It is real easy to acquite 2000 once fired 223 brass for free. just go to a range where John Q Public goes to shoot his AR.The never bother to pick any of em up usually. I use to pick them up but after I had several hundred, I stopped. I have seen a brass bucket 1/4 full of them in times past; a 5 Gal bucket! Would have been easier all the way around.
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You could be right; however, the rifle I started with had a PPC boltface and a PPC magazine so I went with the PPC. After seeing how well it shoots with unsorted brass and unsorted bullets, I am pleased with the choice. Also, the Lapua brass will last a very long time and my velocities will be increased after they have been fireformed. If I get 2000 rounds of brass, it should cover me for a trip and I can reuse it for many years. I will likely have to rebarrel the rifle before every trip out west though. lol
 
1000-2000 rounds

Doug: Might I suggest you buy 300 or so pieces of brass, and spend the extra money on a portable press, powder measure etc. and take that along with you? You will have some time while the barrel cools, or in the evenings to load the ammo, and it also gives you the opportunity to try different powders, bullets etc. An RCBS Partner press is just fine, and can be clamped to nearly anything, including those portable benches you probably will be taking with you anyway.
Bryan
 
Thanks for the responses...

Now I know not to expect to get cheap brass and will order the new stuff.

Good luck to everyone this coming season.
 
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