.308 CAVIM & NORMA brass test

[swampratt]

Small test today with my .308 Savage model 10 SR 18" barrel, bolt rifle.
I was given some CAVIM brass by @Sgt Dog and had some 1x fired Norma brass.

I figured the least I could do was prep that CAVIM stuff and see if it will shoot.
I was told that brand has a reputation of "sticking"
It was cleaned when I got it and I then annealed the necks.
When I full length sized it I felt a lot of resistance and when that happens I know it is stiff brass.

Lapua is the same way but this CAVIM 93 was feeling stiffer than Lapua but I have no Idea what size chamber this stuff was shot from.

Neck wall thickness was in the .017" area all measured exactly the same.
I turned the necks because my load is not max and I have found that helps.
.014" neck wall after 3 turnings.

Norma cases have .013" neck wall thickness not turned and my Lapua measures .014"

The loads tested today.
Varget and IMR 4064 both at 42.6 gr and CCI 200 primers. Weighed on a 505 beam scale.

.003" neck tension on both.
168 ELDM Hornady bullets seated 2.818"

CAVIM with Varget .732" center to center 5 shot 100 yards. Using bipod.
CAVIM with 4064 1.202" stringing up and down and 1/2" more to the right.

NORMA with Varget 1.30" shot lower than the CAVIM brass and 1 flier.
NORMA with 4064 .691" it also shot lower than the CAVIM brass.

CAVIM cases have very consistent bullet seating pressures all felt exactly the same.
It felt very stiff during seating.

Norma cases were not as consistent when seating bullets.
But this batch is not neck turned either.
Bullets seated a little easier in the Norma cases.

There is potential in the loads and all were 5 shot groups from the magazine as quick as I could get back on paper.
The 4064 loads were shot right after the Varget loads so barrel was a bit warmer.

Yea not a good test but this barrel likes some heat in it.
Not super hot barrel.
Cooler than sitting in the sun baking.

Both 4064 loads shoot more to the right and higher than the Varget loads in the same case.
When I have checked velocity the 4064 was always faster with same weight charge.

I could possibly turn it down to 4.15 or 42 gr 4064 and see if I can get them to land in the same spot.

 

[Sgt Dog]

Nice write up! Good in you. I didn’t see anything as informative when researching the brass. Most comments were for the entire commercial cartridge and not reloader’s work.

I’m assuming none were stubborn at extraction or you would have said. Nice idea in turning necks!

 

[mouthpiece]

Was always told Cavim was soft brass. I shot several cases of it back in the day and still have some. Every once in a while the FAL's would rip a rim off but last few years I've been shooting Cavim in the LR308's without problem. All factory.
I don't think I have reloaded any yet and yes the do have thick cases.

 

[swampratt]

I reloaded the Cavim Cases for a second time and they sized much easier this round since they were fired in my chamber.
I reduced the 4064 load to 42 gr and it grouped well for 25 mph winds.
The load at 42 went down and to the right closer to the 42.6 gr Varget load.

But at 200 yards in that same wind the load dropped 2x farther down than my 55gr V-Max .223 load.

I will see if I can load this Cavim brass in the upper accuracy node and get good groups and less drop at 200.
Powder is a way down in the case at 42 gr.