.357 Brass: Starline or Winchester?

[Otto]

I am guessing most will say Starline. Am I right?

[DennisD]

My Winchester brass came from my once fired factory ammo and my Starline was bought new. I really haven't noticed a difference. Main thing is to sort and batch IMO.

[Terry Murbach]

I am guessing most will say Starline. Am I right?

NOT NECESSARILY, WHY ??

[Gun Smith]

Long before there was a Starline brass, Winchester brass has always been my choice.

[KCSO]

I recently purchased a bag of Winchester new factory brass in 44 magnum. When I went to reload it about 1/2 of the primer pockets were so loose you could seat a primer with your thumb and tap the case on the bench to deprime. I sent samples and a letter to W/W and the BRASS never arrived but the letter did. I also got a $20 gift certificate. I sent more of the bad brass to corporate headquarters and to the fellow who sent me the cupon and NONE of that brass arrived either. "Sorry we are unable to verify your problem". I still have samples if anyone doubts the facts. W/W still has not admitted that they EVER had any bad brass.


STARLINE

[TedH]

I like both equally and use both.

[Hobie]

I use either without reservation.

[Mike D.]

I purchase Starline brass in most calibers, especially .45-90 cases that can be used to form other caliber cartridge cases. Starline is better constructed, lasts longer and has uniform primer pockets. This important feature is not always the case with Rem or W brass.

[Irascible]

Recently, I have noticed terrible burrs on flash holes of Winchester 44 special, Remington 44 magnum and Remington 357 brass. Not all. but some in each batch. These were tall enough that I felt them when they were struck by the knurled nut which holds the decapping pin. The 357 Rem brass was the worse with almost all of the brass having tall burrs around the flash holes. I have never seen any burrs on the Starline brass. Take a look inside, Starline has a much nicer system of making flash holes. Would the accuracy suffer in a revolver? I doubt it, but having something made right gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. It all works, but if I had to buy new I would buy Starline. Barring that, I would be prepared to de-burr flash holes.

[AJMD429]

...having something made right gives me that warm fuzzy feeling.

That happens to me if I buy the cheaper brand of Depends...

[gundownunder]

I've got between 500-600 WW brass, most of it was nickel factory ammo. I've heard Starline is top brass but I had a couple hundred old WW brass given to me when I first bought the rifle and just haven't bothered to change.

[Borregos]

I use either without reservation.

+1

[woods-walker]

I use both as well. Mostly in lever actions. No problems.

[the telegraphist]

I use both in many calibers and would use either without hesitation. Its whats available at the time, if its Starline then so be it, if its Win then thats OK too. Neither brand has let me down in the 357mag.

[COSteve]

I've tried both manufacturers in 357mag and 10mm brass cases with no problems from either. Haven't tried either in nickel plated though.

[Lobo]

Anytime I need brass, Starline is the first place I look. There are a couple of professional gun guys, that credit the strength of Starline brass for saving their bacon, and these are a couple of guys I respect. My own experience with the brass is top shelf....good quality product, reasonable price, good delivery time. I usually buy 500 cases at a time.

[bdhold]

I don't if you guys have been trying to buy the stuff lately, but Midway, Buffalo Arms, Cheaper than Dirt, everybody was out of 357 brass.
Even the Starline website was out of brass. Couldn't even find once-fired brass.
The good news is, Buffalo just filled by back-order for Starline 357 brass.

[Irascible]

Yes it's trickleing in. Midway just filled my back order of 357 brass. They do have a lot of the less popular though 40-65, 38-55, 44 russian, etc

[KirkD]

I've used Winchester brass for years, but recently have starting using Starline brass in 38-55, 44 Russian, and 45 Schofield. I really like it, but I'm not sure I can say why.

[Wrangler John]

Starline in .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .480 Ruger, .45-70. Buy case lots of 500 for consistency and long time supply. This brass is just done right and I have yet to have a case fail, or be defective out of the box. They must have eagle-eyed inspectors.

Winchester in rifle calibers .348 Winchester, .243 WSSM and .375 Winchester (what else is there?), and most others, except SSA in 6mm PPC.

Lapua or Nosler in 6.5-284.

Winchester's latest lots of .204 Ruger have been outstanding (and cheap). same for .223 Remington (buy these in 500 or 1k lots). Hornady brass costs twice as much and wasn't any better - had to send early .204 batch back for neck splits and shoulder dents.

You can spend more, but Winchester is so inexpensive a few culls doesn't put a damper on the savings.

[piller]

I have used both and for my limited experience, they both have been good. I do notice that the Starline works easier and they have lasted longer. Most of the Winchester is no good due to splits in the case mouth after about 10 reloadings and the Starline is now on its 20th and still going. I may be pushing the Starline too long, but at moderate loads it is lasting around twice as long without any signs of trouble. My "Barn Burner" loads get the brass retired at 6 loadings no matter what.

[Malamute]

It sounds like Starline has changed some from when I first tried it. I bought several hundred rounds of 45 Colt brass when it first came out, and thought it was thick, hard brass, and rather hard to work compared to Rem and Win brass. I've mostly avoided it since then for that reason.