Author Topic: S&B Brass Any Good? (Read 419 times)

Patriot_1776 · « **on:** October 04, 2005, 04:12:17 PM »

Is their brass of excellent quality? Essentially, how are they for reloading? Consistency, brass life, integrity, etc. is of the greatest importance. I'm considering buying some bulk ammo for my Hornet, and all I can see right now is some offered by S&B. Any suggestions or opinions?

Thanks for any info regarding these concerns.

-Patriot

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2005, 05:22:57 PM »

I've had excellent luck with S&B pistol brass. But for some reason the .303brit brass seems to not have deep enough primer pockets.

JBMauser · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2005, 06:03:20 PM »

I will explain to you why I crushed all of my S&B Crap brass. First, the primer pockets are cut for european primers, our primers are taller and you must ream out the pockets for a proper flush seating. I spent a lot of time doing just that to a lot of 30/06 S&B brass which I formed into 8mm and 7.65X54 Argintine. a lot of work and the crap gave me a head seperation in a few cycles. I checked all of the rest of the brass with the old paper clip and found severe thinning in all of the S&B while RP and Win brass with the same and more cycles had NONE! The stuff is soft or plain crap. FYI, I do not fire max loads or even near the top of the charts. This brass was not worth the effort to work up. If you must, keep a paper clip at hand and a trash can to boot. JB

bear8mm · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005, 06:29:18 PM »

I've used the 6.5x55 and 8x57 S&B brass with no problems. It does seem to be "grainier" than American brass, and doesn't last as long. I mostly had problems in the neck area, not primer pockets or head separations.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2005, 04:20:15 AM »

Thanks for the input; I'll just have to purchase good quality brass and reload my ammo. :grin:

I haven't put any factory ammo through it yet, looks as though it might stay that way for a while.

-Patriot

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2005, 04:53:43 AM »

I have only used S&B for 45ACP and I find it marginal. It can be difficult to resize and prime. I still have some in my box of mixed brass, but am planning to cull it out and discontinue using it. When I find S&B brass at the range that is free for the picking, I leave it.

It does work, I just prefer better. Good brass is relatively cheap, so I'm becoming more selective.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2005, 06:59:08 AM »

The one brand of brass I'm planning to start culling for my 45 ACP is PMC. I've had times where the primer pocket was really tight, or the case didn't feel as if it will hold the bullet. Best ones yet: misaligned flash holes. I haven't had any big problems yet, but I want to nip it in the bud before any minor problems turn to major ones.

The S&B brass in my box of mixed 45 brass (I have one too!

) has been pretty good so far (aren't a whole bunch either). I'm just not one to go out and purchase a box of ammo or brass solely made by S&B. While on the subject, I have alot of S&B for the 357 magnum, which I have not had any problems with yet. So I'm not sure whether to completely trash S&B, or just take my chances. The times where I have used the brass it seems to be trouble free.

But stay away from PMC! :eek:

-Patriot

savageT · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:12:14 AM »

My limited experience with S & B 6.5 x 55mm brass has been:
The brass walls get thin in the neck region after initial firing. No problems with the primer pockets, but you MUST check the inner walls at the neck for thinning with a bent paper-clip before reloading! They won't last but 2-3 reloadings at best with a military Swedish Mauser action.

Jim