As much important as a bullet and its grain are, bullet cases are also equally important. You cannot expect a bullet to perform well if the case is wonky. That is why you need to pay special attention to these products.
There are different kinds of cases, mostly available in brass and steel.
But it is widely accepted that the brass ones perform better. You can take Hornady or Winchester ones as exhibit A. However, that brings a new question. Between Hornady vs Winchester brass, which one is better?
Well, we have the answer to that, but you have to divulge some other information regarding brass cases before you can appreciate the answer. So, without further delay, let’s start!
Hornady Brass
This brand has been on a roll for a long time, and they have some pretty unique features that set their products apart.
• Concentric consistency on all the pieces helps the user to ensure accurate shots at every time.
• You can reload a single brass multiple times as it has a high tolerance and can be shaped with ease.
• These cases are very easy to trim and easy to load in a re-loader. The shape of each of the products helps in feeding.
• Components are unprimed; hence the users will not have to trim or cut edges at the beginning to fit into their cartridge.
• Wall thickness plays a key role in making these cases consistent. As a result, it achieves tight tolerance abilities and fits the hollow chamber of the gun perfectly.
• It does not leave any gap between the gun chamber and its surface, thus harnessing the full force of the gun shoot.
• Cases come in multiple shapes for pistols, guns, rifles, and more.
Recommended Hornady Brass to Buy
If you were having a hard time finding suitable Hornady cases, then below, you will find some perfectly capable products.
HORNADY – 6.5MM GRENDEL BRASS CASE
It is better to get brass cases than steel ones, but if the cost is too high, then you might as well consider the decision again. However, if you are adamant about brass cases, and want to get them at an affordable price, then this pack might be worth your while.
You will get 50 whole pieces in this kit, all of which will have the same size and dimensions. This consistency will enable the user to work with any piece without having to worry about trimming or shaping.
Thus, you can use them as it is for the first time. Moreover, these products have an unprimed structure, which further facilitates the process of using them straight from the box. Additionally, they can be mended very easily.
So, if the brass expands and needs trimming after the first shot, you can do it quite easily with any re-loader. Hence you get flexibility and affordability with this pack. You will not have to get new pieces every now and then.
Besides that, these products are quite sturdy as well. It can carry a bullet up to 1000 yards with ease, and the tight tolerance within the gun chamber adds additional force to carry it to those extents.
It also has a uniform thickness around the edges that ensures accuracy no matter which piece you grab. Thus, you can know that accuracy wise; this case will not fail you.
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CONS
HORNADY – UNPRIMED PISTOL BRASS
Getting your hands on quality cases for rifles is fairly easy, but it might get challenging when it is about shopping for pistol cases. The problem is that most reputed brands do not carry pistol brass cases.
However, Hornady is here to save the day with their .375 SIG cartridge cases. What is most exciting about this product is that you get all the benefits of a Hornady product from this item as well.
We must say that this is an affordable pick as well. Given that one will not use that many pistol bullets anyway, it still comes with 100 pieces! So, in a way, you are set for a long time. Moreover, each case is reusable.
When the shape expands or the edges get rough, you can simply trim them to bring it back to shape. You can expect an unnoticeable change in grain weight as well. As they are brass products, the chance of getting damaged is lower than that of steel.
Besides that, you get quality short-range accuracy with these pieces as well. This model also has a tight tolerance factor, which means that the shell takes up the hollow of the gun, and when you shoot, it gains high momentum.
That added with the consistent edges and thickness will help the user to shoot the mark every time. Additionally, they fit quite well in pistol cartridges, and you will not have to fumble while trying to feed them in the slots.
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Winchester Brass
Another top player when it comes to ballistic needs is the brand Winchester. They showcase amazing items in their product line, and one of their hero products are brass cases.
• Every component has a sturdy exterior and very strong built that will enable the user to trim and reload them multiple times. Thus they can get more use out of the pack.
• The brand is the only US-based manufacturer that specializes in brass cases and deliver product straight from raw materials.
• These items have a tight tolerance for the filling-chamber and adapting to the high force inside the gun chamber.
• The unprimed brasses can work with high force right off the box without the need for any alteration. But if the shape changes after the first shot, you can always modify it.
• It is very easy to reload and will be compatible with different re-loaders.
• These brasses come in bulk packages, and they will have a consistent shape throughout.
Recommended Winchester Brass to Buy
We have gathered some of our favorite Winchester models that we think will fancy your attention as well.
WINCHESTER – 264 WINCHESTER BRASS CASE
When you are shooting long-range, an issue you will always notice is how the wind pressure affects your bullet. Now, there are several ways to cut through that pressure, and one of them is using a heavy-duty case.
An example of such a product would be this 264 Winchester case. It is a 140-grain product equipped with 147gr ELD. Hence, it can easily work against the wind and help you shoot from miles away. However, do not worry that the grain weight will cause any disturbance.
It, in turn, improves the performance of the bullet and also helps you stay consistent. As it has tight chambers, the case fills the entire inside of the rifle. So, when you fire, it does not get space to expand; rather, it harnesses the energy into speed.
That is how you get more speed, around 2750 fps with these products. As a result, you can easily go for long-ranges. Moreover, they are suitable for long-ranges because you get multiple products in the pack.
Since the chance is that people use more ballistics for long ranges, you get 50 cases in a pack. All the products have equal shapes and dimensions. So, you will not have to worry about picking the wrong one.
Moreover, they are unprimed and can easily take heavy stress even when you reload multiple times. It effectively means that you can reuse a case if it loses its original shape.
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CONS
PETERSON CARTRIDGE – 243 WINCHESTER BRASS
Bullets having a higher recoil factor can be a problem for many users, especially if it makes you lose target. You can always rely on good quality cases to avoid having that issue, and Peterson Cartridges are very reliable in that aspect.
These cases are amazing if you want to reduce target loss. As these cases have a bit of weight, it can effectively pass through the gun chamber with ease and with less muzzle rise.
So, since the muzzle does not deter from the target, it becomes easier to acquire the target quickly.
Besides that, these are annealed cases that are available in large rifle primers. If you want brass cases for pocket rifles, you can collect these as well. But each pack will have 50 cases, and they come in a sturdy box.
The box has slots for the cases so that you can arrange them neatly in the box. As a result, you will not lose them easily, either.
You can even keep them sorted according to used and unused pieces. So, it saves time and effort for not having to inspect each piece.
There is also a cushion lining on top to protect the cases from harsh impact if you are carrying them somewhere.
Now, the inside of these cases is just as sturdy as the box itself. Its brass material certainly keeps integrity at a maximum and allows minimum expansion.
These products are good for long-range sports or hunting as well because of the precision cutting and smooth edges.
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Hornady vs Winchester Brass Comparison
Although there is not a massive difference between these products, the slight tweaks here and there could be a big factor. So, below you will find some of those that might help you choose better.
Expansion
As you know, Hornady and Winchester both feature brass cases, and that means the expansion factor will be drastically less in these products compared to steel cartridges. In that case, any model from these brands will not trouble you. Moreover, brass is more durable as well.
Structure
All the models that we discussed come in packages of multiple products. And the great thing about both these brands is that they are precise and accurate when it comes to structuring.
Winchester uses cutting-edge technology to shape all their cases, which results in smooth and comfortable edges.
At the same time, Hornady also features tight tolerance factors that ensure that the product sits snug inside a bullet chamber. A similar feature is also available in the Winchester brasses.
Usage
When it comes to usage, apart from pistols’ brass, the other models are perfectly capable of long-range activities. You will have a good time shooting accurate shots with both brands. However, a thing to keep in mind is that Winchester brasses tend to be on the heavier side.
So, you need to calibrate your rifle accordingly. Moreover, Winchester brasses could be a bit expensive as well, although you later reap benefits from its weight.
Final Words
So as the topic of Hornady vs Winchester brass goes on, we believe that both brands offer phenomenal products within an affordable range. You get the option to reload and save money as well. So, in our book, both brands win!