Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best brass for 7-08AI?

Should I go with the Norma head-stamped 7-08 or buy the Lapua 308 and re-size? I guess there's the Win/Rem brass, but have always heard that the other two are better. This is my first run on the AI so give me a nudge on way or the other.

Thanks.

Lapua is the best brass going.......

I'm running a heavy 260 AI and prefer Lapua 308s...

Some may say necking up Lapua 243's may be better....

But Lapua 308 brass will be a tad cheaper than 243's..

I've never had any issues using 308 going down to 260...

As far as Norma...Lapua is a much better value.....

Win would be my domestic 308 brass choice......

Run your favorite 7-08 max load with bullet into the

lands to fireform (FF) your brass

Thanks TN. I have some Lapua 243 that is supposed to be going to a buddy of mine. I may just have him buy me a box of 308 and we can swap. I plan on running Varget or H414 with the 120 NBT or TSX, but also have some 162 Amax's on the way.

I recently sold a Pac Nor 7-08 AI bbl to a guy...

Seems he's burning H4831 & 4350 & 414 w/168s....

Don't overlook the Nosler 140 Accubond.....

I'm running R-P brass w/ 7mm-08 head stamps in my 7-08AI, and have nothing but good to say about it. Easy to fireform, no necking up or down, plenty accurate, long life, cheaper than Lapua/Norma, etc...

I get great accuracy out of mine, especially considering it's a 'sporter', and not a BR rifle. Were I shooting a 7-08AI for BR tournaments, I'd likely go with Lapua brass, either .308win necked down, or .243win necked up ... but that's on reputation of Lapua brass alone - because I've not directly compared it to the R-P brass in my rifle, so I can't say for sure that it would really make any difference.

+1 on Lapua. Avoid Winchester. I weighed 160 cases and got 13 grains variation.

Get the Norma 7mm-08. At Midway it is 16 dollars more than Lapua .308 per 100, but you will not have to buy multiple neck bushings or any extra equipment to neck down brass.

I have bought inspected Rem, Win and Norma 7-08 brass and there is no comparison.

With my other rifle all I did was run it through the full length resizing die. Is there typically a different process that I'm missing?

I have used Lapua and Rem brass. No difference in accuracy or case life. At least not in those two lots.Rick.

I would go with the Norma brass. It probably is just as good as Lapua, and the only difference is a bit of extra cost, which becomes insignificant if you reload them 30+ times. And, you have the correct head stamp.

In hunting rifles I have used R-P brass for years with excellent results. I have also just shot up some reloads in my 257 AI from fireformed Win brass and the target could not tell I wasn't using lapua brass.

Not saying lapua is not better, but results do speak.

I am right now in the process of working with a new 243AI and on the recommendations purchased the Lapua brass (which I have used a lot of in many calibers) being use to only having around a grain difference in case weights I didn't bother to weigh my cases... Unlike others I am big on Nosler brass because I find it more consistent than other name brass and no case work at all... I had fired formed 50 Nosler cases I had with my other 243 and had a load work up that was shooting single holes at 100 so went with the same load on the Lapua... I was getting 3 and 4 shot groups around 1/4 with a flier or two... Last week end I checked case weights and found 4.5 grain variation in cases... I will go back with the Nosler and be done with it... I have used Norma in the 708 and find it to be a very good brass, but did turn necks and do a full prep on it.. Case weights were within 2 grains and primer pockets have remained tight through several loadings... Only complaints I have with the Nosler is if you are running max loads primer pockets have a tendency of getting loose quicker... about 7 loadings on the Norma near max and the primer pockets are almost as tight as when it was new.... Haven't had an issue with the Nosler in 308 with max loads through 5 firings, but it's been parked since I've started playing with the 243's... This is just my recent experience, because untill now I've had great luck with Lapua just can't see paying that kind of money for brass and it be that bad with case weights....

Norma would be behind W/W for me,which pales to R/P and Lapooey.

With virgin hulls in the 7-08AI,I'd be necking down 308's to headspace their false shoulder and it'd be R/P for me,though I gun Lapooey in a few of my 7-08's..............

If Lapua is Lapooey does that mean that R/P is Remmy Peety.

Gotta stay with the cute names. Especially when you is a gunin' Remmy Peeties.

Feenlanders often put the emphossis,on the wrong sillobble...........

The current plan is to neck down from 308. The guy making the brass is still up in the air.

He better be,less rifle in hand.

Hint..............