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

Was given around 200 Hornady cases but did my load development using Starline. Decided to compare the case weights before using the Hornady so I weighed 10 of each and recorded the results:

Starline
Average = 167.0g
Median = 167.0g
E.S. = 0.6
S.D = 0.178

Average = 149.3
Median = 149.4
E.S. = 2.2
S.D = 0.605


Was surprised at the consistency of Starline and the weight difference between the two. It works out to about .135cc.

I've not heard too many good reports with Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass when compared to most others.

Starline seems like good stuff, with many good reports.

Peterson, Alpha and Lapua are all reported to be great brass as well. YMMV

I bought some Starline brass for my .260 Rem, and I have a few loads to test out when I can get to the range again. I only ordered 50 to see how I like it, and now everyone is out, so I ordered Hornady brass last night. Hopefully there is not that much difference between the two.

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.