quote:

Originally posted by doubledown:
I use Hornady brass in a couple of calibers, 300 WM is one, its quality brass IMO. I am on my 6th reload, one grain under max, only one trim needed primer pockets are as tight as new.

That said, and with the good performance I have been having I decided to try Hornady brass in my 257 Roy. The factory Weatherby (Norma) is soft IMO and my 257 likes loads right near max. I have loose primer pockets by my third reload.

Anyway I received a hundred pieces of Hornady brass, I prepped them and loaded them with a starting load of RL-22. After the first shot I had to beat my bolt handle up, I was 4 grains under the exact same (book) load I use in my Norma brass, same bullet, powder, primer, and OAL.


When I got home I pulled the bullets, dumped and weighed the powder (charges were perfect) then I took the fired case and filled it with water, then took a fired Norma case and did the same. The difference was 5 grains of water! My starting load with the Hornady was a grain over max!! I know there are differences between brands, but 5 grains is almost a different caliber!


I wrote this as a warning, but also a question. Has anyone loaded their 257 Roy with Hornady brass? What was your experience? I have not had a problem like this in other calibers with Hornady, just the 257.