SmallCaliberCentral

Which brass do you prefer & why? Thanks

Partial to winchester myself. The primer pockets appear to stay tighter a little longer than other brands in my experience. Case life is really good and it is about the cheapest to boot! Down side......they come pretty beat up in that plastic bag!

I started out using Win brass for my 204. I had some problems with them, some of which I found out to be caused by my processing the brass before seating the bullets. I then tried the Remington brass using the same processing techniques. I never have had an issues with the rem brass. and the condition of the brass right out of the bag, to me, was far superior than the win brass, not beat up, nor any defective brass. with the win brass, there was always 1 or 2 cases that were defective and were total junk. I sold over 300 new 204 win brass on this site, and I only use rem brass in the 204. as for the 223, I have not had any problems with any brass that I have tried, and most of it is in fact Winchester brass.
JMHO and my own experience. For 1$ per hundred more for rem brass for the 204, I will continue only using rem brass. I don't need any more frustration in my life!

I agree with the previous post that remington brass comes out of thier packaging in MUCH better condition but to me, the fact that the primer pockets are rather loose on this brass warrants I NOT use it. My remington likes hot loads so I will stick to the big WW thank you very much! I only wish that the brass they use in the supreme factory stuff was available to handloaders.....I would buy a small MOUNTAIN of that stuff!

NOSLER because I can't use Lapua

Nosler for me. Just because it got me to concentric rounds, if I use a Wilson seater. Here's my silly little story:

http://www.204ruger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7017

Perhaps concentric ammo will make no difference for me, but at lease it is now eliminated as an excuse for bad groups (in my case) and for me, I now clearly understand that accuracy is a matter of eliminating variation in elements.

If you don't have the prep tools and gauges, or don't like to prep brass, Nosler is well, well worth the higher price tag.

the Hornady brass that gave me fits was from factory ammo that I shot. Perhaps their boxed new brass is great. I don't want to find out the expensive way.

I should add...

I'm sure there are some folks that are drilling gnats using other brass... absolutely.