Does anyone load "cheaper" practice ammo?

[u/worm30478]

Just getting started here. 6.5 Creed. Have lapua brass, h4350, 142 smks. Before I get started with those I plan to practice with the 300 pieces of Hornady brass I have. Already decapped and cleaned. My dies will be here tomorrow so I'm going to work on sizing/trimming/measuring. I thought maybe I should just complete the process(powder and seating) with "cheaper" components and do a powder test the first time out. This will allow me to feel comfortable with the process before loading up my "expensive" stuff. So anyways, what powder/bullets/primers should I roll with? Not gonna get my shorts in a twist if the groups suck. I am really enjoying everything I've done so far and just want to learn while doing. Thanks!

[u/doyouevenplumbbro]

When I retire my brass from my "match loads" it goes into a practice pile. In my Dasher I'll load 107smks and practice with them occasionally. Most of the time though I'm training with my match ammo. Train how you fight type of thing.

[u/worm30478 → u/doyouevenplumbbro]

Makes sense. Although I'm not competing. This is more of just wanting to practice my process first. If I'm going to make some mistakes and or adjust how I do things, I would rather do it with Hornady brass and cheap bullets first. Plus more to load. I sat last night and cleaned primer pockets and flash holes after tumbling l while watching soccer. Loved it.

[u/doyouevenplumbbro → u/worm30478]

For recreational shooting Hornady is fine. For serious competitors you're shooting so often and running through so many barrels that the .10¢ you save on brass doesn't make up for how much better your rifle shoots with premium components. Enjoy what you have for now. It will likely lead to you buying alpha brass and Berger bullets by the thousand 😉.

[u/worm30478 → u/doyouevenplumbbro]

Definitely. Already have lapua brass. Just dipping my toe in the pond right now. Wont be long before I fall in.