Guys

I need to buy some 7x57 Rimmed brass. Both Norma and RWS are available. The RWS is slightly more expensive than the Norma. Which is the better quality brass in your humble opinions?

Cheers for the info.

GG

I prefer RWS as Ive found Norma needs more regular re sizing.
Might not be a problem for this caliber thou.
Also, a friend of mine also uses RWS for his 7x57R and is happy.

GG,

I use Norma, RWS & Geco. I'll go out on limb here. I cannot confirm this as fact; but would consider since both RWS & Geco are RUAG companies, the Geco is probably RWS brass with Geco headstamp.

While all three brands are excellent quality & provide long case life, if I had to rank them in order of my personal preference it would be: 1. Norma, 2. Geco, 3. RWS - but that's purely my subjective opinion and we're talking nuances here, not vast differences in quality or case life.

Since I see much Privi-Partisan & S&B brass in this and other chamberings here in The Fatherland; from my point-of-view I would also recommend, as you have also apparently chosen; the "premium" brands vs. discount brands. Opinions & expereinces vary....

I'm fortunate that I've never had to purchase the brass but rather receive it from a German gunsmith who sights-in rifles; so I'm spoiled and it's once fired in various chambers so I pay attention to detail when initially sorting/sizing it for my purposes.

Whichever brand you select the only additional advice I can offer is that with all three brands the weak link in the chain in my experience are the primer pockets. If the brass is loaded with Rimmed loading data, the Dies adjusted to headspace on rim & shoulder it will last almost indefinately. If attempts to "Push-the-Envelope" into 7x57 rimless load levels are made - the primer pockets will loosen quickly (Gee, why do I have such expereince......?).

Good Luck & good shooting with your new brass.

I have both makes and use them. I recommend Norma.
I've had far too many issues with RWS brass; inconsistent weights, case necks too thick for a chamber, and in the case of the 7x57 (non-rimmed), the brass was longer than SAAMI specs and had to be trimmed back to spec length.
Norma!
Just bought another bag of 100 new Norma cases in 6BR. I now have Norma cases in 222, 223 and 6BR. They are just awesome compared to the usual Rem/Win brass. Not one case neck has any dents in it when new, like the other usual brands.
FWIW,

Don

What Don said.

I've used RWS brass and had major problems with:

Shallow primer pockets that had to be deepened to accept US primers

Flash holes too small to accept the US decapping pins

Thick necks

The 'dreaded doughnut' inside the neck at the base

I like Norma, won't use RWS if there's any alternative.
Regards, Joe

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:
What Don said.

I've used RWS brass and had major problems with:

Shallow primer pockets that had to be deepened to accept US primers

Flash holes too small to accept the US decapping pins

Thick necks

The 'dreaded doughnut' inside the neck at the base

I like Norma, won't use RWS if there's any alternative.
Regards, Joe

JD,
I forgot about the shallow primer pockets. I had to ream all of mine too.

Don

Both are world standards. I would buy RWS.

Only chambering for which I have used both Norma and RWS brass is 9,3x74R ... and the RWS is thicker (heavier) and far more durable.

Thanks for your opinions guys - ordered 100 Norma cases today.

Cheers.

GG