I am reloading for an FNAR (.308) with fired brass from various manufacturers; Prvi Partizan, Federal, Lake City, Remington, and MKE (whoever that is).

All of the brass is from new ammunition I have fired except the Lake City which is from Freedom Munitions reloads using once fired brass (so it has been fire twice).

After decapping, FL resizing, tumbling in corn, and trimming (where necessary), I decided to weight the brass.

So far the least variation in weight has been in the MKE brass; a high of 175 gr and a low of 172, with most weighing 173.5 +/- .5 gr.

Generally speaking, should I see the most uniformity with cases that are closest in weight (suggesting that the interior volumes are the most uniform) or am I wasting my time? If not, what criteria can I use to select the best brass for uniformity?

The FNAR is guaranteed to shoot sub MOA with Federal GMM 168 gr, good for an autoloader, but it's never going to shoot groups with 1 ragged hole, so I'm not interested in buying Lapua brass or the like, just reloading with 168 gr SMKs for results as good as the GMM but at less than half the price.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

quote:

Originally posted by scudzuki:
I am reloading for an FNAR (.308) with fired brass from various manufacturers; Prvi Partizan, Federal, Lake City, Remington, and MKE (whoever that is).

Generally speaking, should I see the most uniformity with cases that are closest in weight (suggesting that the interior volumes are the most uniform) or am I wasting my time? If not, what criteria can I use to select the best brass for uniformity?

For that gun, you're probably wasting your time weighing your cases. The only criteria I use is keeping the brass brand the same.

I have a DS Arms FAL on order. My priority for that rifles will be keeping the brass trimmed and clean.

I have 2 Springfield M1As that I load for and other than keeping the brass separate for each ( one is a standard loaded GI the other is a NM) I just clean, size , trim and load a 168 Amax with varget powder and a Fed 210

For an MOA autoloader, I'd sort for headstamp. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, I'd save the Lapua brass for a bolt gun. It's too expensive to be loosing out of an autoloader.

I agree - unless you are shooting competitively, don't bother weighing cases.

Well, thanks to all who have weighed in (no pun intended).

Joe