Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5CM - Starline vs. Hornady brass

I bought some Hornady 6.5CM brass and was not overly impressed by it. Half the cases wouldn't fit in the shell holder and I had to use my 6.5x55 shell holder. Initial groups were in the 2 1/2 inch range. This was with the same bullets that shoot well under an inch in my Mauser 6.5x55. Two different factory loads shot under an inch so the rifle and new barrel were not the problem. Then I tried some loads in cases that had been fired once and groups shrunk to about 1/2 an inch with the 129gn Hornady SP and 43gn H4350. So I guess the brass had to be fireformed to the chamber or had crooked necks. Now all the cases have been fired once, groups have shrunk considerably but the rim issue is still a pain. I have some Starline and Jageman cases but have not tried them yet. I think I'll fire and eject the Hornady cases and try one of the other brands.