Issues with the Winchester 204 brass from Cabelas

[jepp2]

I recently got some of the 204 Ruger brass that Cabelas had in stock. As I was prepping the brass, I noticed about 20% of the shoulders weren't properly formed. This caused the datum length to be short by about ten to fifteen thousands.

I loaded and fired some and this still didn't properly form the shoulder or cause the brass to form to my chamber.

I contacted Olin and returned the brass with improperly formed shoulders. As I sorted it, I noticed the brass with the poorly formed shoulders was quite different in color and the inside of the neck didn't show the same forming marks as those that did have the sharp shoulder. Winchester sent me a check for the brass I returned. Just thought I would share this. Lots I received include LG10 and LF03.

The picture I included shows the good brass in a container on the right, the brass I sent back in the container on the left. They were side by side on my desktop, so same lighting.

[Varmitzapper]

Haven't opend the two bags I bought in August.
I'll check them out tonight.
Thanks for the head's up.
Can you post the contact info for Olin? Just in case theres an issue.

[Duker]

Varmitzapper has made a reasonable request. A couple of years ago (the last time I purchased Win brass) and found the flash holes way off center, I spent hours coming up with a number to call and voice my problem. It was like an exercise in hide and seek. To no acceptable resolution as well.

[jepp2]

I initially called the contact number for customer service and left a message. Got a call back within an hour. I found email the best way to contact Kristin Tate using kltate@olin.com

[Varmitzapper]

I just went through both bags and did find the same issue with both.
I also had both lot numbers that Jepp had listed.
Bag 1 had 18 pcs, Bag 2 had 13pcs. Way too many for an acceptable failure rate.
In my quality assurance world, with a 100 piece lot you would accept with 1 failure and reject at 2 pcs.
I'll reach out to your contact in the morning. I'll have to look for the Cabelas receipt.
I'd rather have the cases replaced rather than getting cash back.
I did try them in the rifle, and they did chamber, and the bolt did close and lock.
But I really would rather not use them.

[MZ5]

Olin's brass is all contract made now, presumably by the lowest bidder, and IME it really shows. I no longer buy Winchester brass. It's that bad.

Thanks for posting the heads-up

[varmit_master]

I have new Winchester brass but mine is from bps. I am go to check mine just to make sure. When I get home better to be safe than sorry. I bought 3 bags. Thanks