Okay, I've pretty well settled on my little Sako 6.5X55 as my permanent NA big game rifle, at least for the foreseeable future. I love shooting the rifle and see no reason to switch.

I've been using Remington brass, but only bought 100 rounds when I got the rifle, mostly because it was local and handy. Now that I'm comfortable keeping the rifle, I'm in the market for another couple hundred rounds of brass to be well stocked. I figure I just as well buy some good stuff, so came here for recommendations. From what I can find searching around here, it's really between Lapua and Norma.

What would you choose and why?

Most of mine is Norma. Don't know why, but suspect availability when I got it was a factor. It is good stuff and has a good life span. Very consistent lot to lot.

Norma brass is excellent but very expensive (in the UK anyway). Lapua brass is a very good alternative.

Is your Sako a 75 stainless/synth? I just sold one, it suffered from obturation problems and was prone to throwing the odd shot.

Graf (Hornady?) brass around $16/100
Winchester brass around $24/100
Remington brass around $25/100
Lapua brass around $39/100
Norma brass around $62/100

Graf brass (Hornady?) around $136/1000
Winchester brass around $201/1000
Remington brass around $201/1000
Lapua brass around $354/1000
Norma brass around $580/1000

Personally I don't believe that the prices on the Norma and Lapua brass indicate any great improvement in quality, but rather indicate the cost of importing and shipping and "pride of ownership".

As for Graf brass, it was originally made by Hornady, but since Graf is a reseller and not a manufacturer, each batch may come from a different manufacturer (but rest assured it will not be Norma, Lapua, Winchester or Remington).

That leaves Remington and Winchester...I'd stick with the Remington.

Lapua all the way. Cheaper than the Norma (which is also very good) and amazingly consistent dimensionally. If you need to go cheaper than the Lapua, choose Winchester over Remington, if you can. With some work, the Winchester can be made to approach the Lapua. Me, I'm too lazy to put in the work as long as I can afford to pay for the Lapua.
Just one man's opinion.
- mike

Steve,

I'd forgotten to mention Graf. I've gotten some of the 7.65x53 and it is good stuff AND at a good price. I'm very pleased with it.

Do you think that they've sold so much that they might have already changed vendors?

[ 09-25-2003, 20:19: Message edited by: Hobie ]

Well

Sinclair international has also a good selection of brass in the caliber. Norma or Lapua is about the same in quality.

Get a 500 pieces and you have brass for a loong time.
www.sinclairintl.com

Cheers
/ JOHAN

I like Lapua it come with the neck annealed and lasts longer than Rem or Win. The Norma brass I have used is as good but more expensive for what I consider the same quality as lapua.

My experience with Lapua has been excellent. But so has my experience with Norma. I personally would buy the Lapua.

You won't go wrong with Lapua brass. You won't have to ream the primer pocket to get rid of the burrs that appear on the insde of the primer pockets of American made brass. Europeans drill out the primer pockets instead of punching them out so there is no projection jutting up inside the case. Lapua, and Norma as well, make their brass very uniform so there's little variance in weight or dimensions. You might also give some consideration to Lapua Scenar bullets in 108, 123 and 139grs. They are excellent as is the affiliated VihtaVouri 550 and 560 powders. The Finns put us to shame with the quality of their components. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal