ADG Brass vs Peterson Brass

For shooters serious about consistency, there are two names that define American-made premium brass: ADG (Atlas Development Group) and Peterson Cartridge. Both have earned their place on the benches of long-range shooters, hunters, and competitors alike. Both are built to the tightest tolerances in the industry. Both can deliver double-digit reload counts without faltering.

And yet, while they share the same class, they represent very different philosophies. ADG approaches brass like an engineer designing a pressure vessel: overbuilt, uniform, built to survive abuse. Peterson, on the other hand, approaches it like a metrologist: a study in fine tolerances, mirror-finished precision, and repeatable perfection.

When Creedmoor Sports customers compare these two, it’s not about good versus bad - it’s about deciding which type of excellence suits their rifle, their reloading habits, and their shooting goals.

What defines premium brass quality?

To understand why the ADG and Peterson comparison matters, it helps to appreciate what separates premium brass from the rest. Quality brass isn’t just “strong” - it’s dimensionally consistent, pressure-stable, and capable of maintaining those qualities over dozens of reloads. In other words, it’s the foundation on which all load development rests.

Every brass case must form a perfect gas seal, return to near-original shape after firing, and stay dimensionally stable through repeated resizing cycles. These demands expose flaws in lower-tier brass: uneven wall thickness, inconsistent head hardness, loose primer pockets, and variation in internal capacity.

Premium brass like ADG and Peterson eliminates those variables. Every aspect - from grain structure to annealing and final inspection - is controlled to ensure that the shooter’s only remaining variables are powder, primer, and bullet.

At this level, brass is s a precision component, and its behavior directly shapes accuracy, pressure, and safety.

ADG Brass: built for strength and longevity

ADG brass is the result of a design philosophy rooted in the demands of high-pressure, modern cartridges. Its founders were engineers who worked directly with defense and aerospace tolerances before turning their focus to ammunition components. That background shows.

The ADG design philosophy

Where other brands chase efficiency or weight savings, ADG focuses on strength and repeatability. Each case features a thicker web and head than most competitors, providing an inherent pressure safety margin that extends case life.

This results in heavier brass overall. In cartridges like .300 PRC, ADG brass typically weighs around 260–262 grains - about 5–10 grains heavier than comparable Hornady or Winchester cases, with a slightly smaller internal volume. A Hornady case might hold 96–97 grains of water; ADG averages closer to 93.5.

That smaller capacity means that loads developed in Hornady or Peterson brass cannot be directly transferred to ADG. The same powder charge will generate higher pressure. Shooters switching to ADG simply back off a few grains and rework the load. In return, they get brass that maintains structural integrity at pressures where others begin to deform.

This overbuilt design makes ADG brass ideal for the 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, and .300 PRC cartridges - rounds known for running near the upper limit of safe pressures.

Case life and structural integrity

The hallmark of ADG brass is its longevity. Reloaders frequently report 10 to 15 reloads from a batch of ADG cases before any sign of fatigue. Primer pockets stay tight, case heads don’t expand, and even at warm charge levels, pressure signs appear later than with most other brass.

In Creedmoor Sports’ own customer base, ADG brass has become a favorite for shooters running repeated long-range matches with magnums. Those who anneal regularly and maintain their cases can often run the same brass across multiple barrels.

Dimensional consistency

Each ADG lot is weight-matched within roughly half a grain, with neck wall thickness variation of 0.001” or less. The uniformity means less sorting and less prep work. Most reloaders chamfer and go straight to priming - neck turning is rarely required.

The internal geometry of ADG cases also promotes consistent ignition. The flash holes are burr-free, and the slightly reduced volume produces predictable, efficient powder burns once the load is tuned.

Real-world performance

On the firing line, ADG brass translates to uniform ignition, low extreme spreads, and predictable vertical dispersion. Many reloaders note that it’s almost “quietly consistent” - it doesn’t transform a load dramatically, but it removes variation that lesser brass introduces.

Where it shines is under pressure: in 7 PRC and .300 PRC, where factory brass often struggles to maintain tight primer pockets, ADG stays rock-solid. It’s brass you can trust to hold its shape and its pocket tolerances shot after shot.

The trade-off, as always, is cost and density. It’s heavier to handle, slightly harder to resize, and holds a touch less powder. But in any environment where brass failure is a deal-breaker, ADG is hard to beat.

Peterson Brass: built for perfection and consistency

If ADG is the heavyweight brawler, Peterson is the watchmaker. Every case that leaves its Pennsylvania factory is the result of a production line engineered for uniformity. The company’s goal is to make brass so consistent that you can take it straight out of the box, seat a bullet, and expect match-grade results.

The Peterson philosophy

Peterson’s motto - “Consistency is Accuracy” - captures its ethos perfectly. Its focus is on dimensional control, surface finish, and reliability across lots.

Where ADG’s construction prioritizes raw strength, Peterson aims for refinement. Cases are drawn with exceptionally tight control over wall thickness and concentricity, and final inspection includes laser measurement of internal volume and neck runout.

In practice, that means Peterson brass often requires no neck turning and minimal sorting. Many shooters report opening a box of Peterson cases, chamfering the mouths, and proceeding directly to priming.

Primer pockets

Peterson employs a unique strategy for its primer pockets: it cuts them slightly undersized - typically about 0.0007” below SAAMI minimum. After the first firing, the brass expands under pressure, and the pocket seats into perfect tolerance.

That design detail extends case life significantly. By allowing the pocket to “settle in” under controlled conditions, Peterson brass resists loosening even after ten or more reloads. The first priming may feel tight, but after firing, the pockets behave normally and remain snug through the case’s entire life cycle.

Readiness out of the box

Peterson brass has earned a reputation as the most loading-ready brass on the market. The necks are stress-relieved, the flash holes are clean, and the mouths are polished. In many cases, full-length sizing before first use is optional.

This makes it especially appealing for high-volume precision reloaders. When processing hundreds of rounds for a match, time saved on prep translates directly into more time spent on shooting or load refinement.

Small primer options

Peterson also offers both Large Rifle Primer (LRP) and Small Rifle Primer (SRP) variants in popular cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester. The SRP option is particularly popular among competitive shooters chasing the lowest possible velocity spreads.

The smaller primer pocket and thicker case head slightly reduce case volume, but they also improve ignition consistency and pressure control - benefits that matter in long strings of fire.

Case life and practicality

Peterson brass delivers similar reload counts to ADG - around 10 to 14 firings under normal conditions - and can go beyond that when regularly annealed. Its slightly softer necks are easy to work with and respond predictably to resizing dies.

Peterson’s softer feel doesn’t imply weakness. Instead, it allows cases to seal perfectly in the chamber on first firing, minimizing gas blow-by and maintaining clean case walls. This consistency translates into small, measurable advantages in standard deviation (SD) and extreme spread (ES) - the metrics that precision reloaders live by.

Where Peterson shines

Peterson brass is particularly well-suited for cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and 6mm Creedmoor - rounds where uniformity matters more than brute strength. It’s the choice for shooters who load in volume, compete often, and value control and efficiency over capacity.

Comparing ADG and Peterson in practice

Both ADG and Peterson occupy the same elite space, but their personalities are distinct. Think of them as two craftsmen using the same raw material for different tools.

Pressure and capacity

ADG brass has lower internal capacity due to its thicker web and case wall. That gives it a natural strength advantage - ideal for pushing cartridges to the limit - but it also requires reworked load data. If you’re running near-max loads in Peterson brass, you’ll need to drop a few grains when switching to ADG.

Peterson brass, by contrast, tends to offer slightly more internal space, making it easier to find forgiving nodes during load development. It’s more tolerant of minor charge variation before velocity spreads increase.

In .300 PRC, for instance, reloaders often see Peterson’s case capacity 2–3 grains higher than ADG’s. That’s enough to change peak pressure by several thousand PSI - small in numeric terms, but critical for maintaining safety margins.

Hardness and handling

ADG’s brass feels different in the press - stiffer and more resistant to sizing. That hardness is what keeps its primer pockets tight and its case heads stable through many firings.

Peterson’s brass, while still strong, is more compliant. It forms easily on the first firing and resizes smoothly. For reloaders who process large batches or prefer a “softer touch,” Peterson’s brass is easier to work with.

Case life

In sheer reload count, the two are remarkably close. ADG’s thicker base gives it a slight edge in extreme cartridges; Peterson’s more refined design means fewer failures due to neck splits. When annealed, both will deliver ten or more reliable reloads - with the primary difference being where they begin to show fatigue.

In 7 PRC, ADG brass often outlasts Peterson due to higher inherent pressures. In 6.5 Creedmoor, Peterson typically has the upper hand due to its consistent neck tension and more forgiving metallurgy.

Load development and consistency

When tuning a load, ADG brass delivers low SDs with minimal case prep - but it often requires more careful work to find stable pressure nodes because of its reduced capacity. Once tuned, it holds those numbers over time.

Peterson, conversely, often reaches tight SDs more quickly. Because of its slightly larger volume and refined neck tension, it’s easier to tune and maintain consistency across multiple lots.

Practical economics

ADG brass costs more per case, but when you account for its longevity in high-pressure environments, the cost per firing narrows considerably. Peterson brass is slightly cheaper and more widely available across traditional calibers, making it easier to maintain consistent lots.

From a Creedmoor Sports perspective, both represent outstanding long-term investments - one in resilience, the other in repeatability.

Which should you choose?

The choice between ADG and Peterson comes down to your rifle, your cartridge, and your priorities.

Choose ADG if you:

• Load magnum or high-pressure cartridges such as 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, .300 PRC, or .28 Nosler
• Want maximum primer pocket retention and structural strength
• Value longevity and safety margin over internal capacity
• Don’t mind a slightly heavier, stiffer case that demands careful sizing

Choose Peterson if you:

• Load moderate-pressure cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, or 6mm Creedmoor
• Prioritize ease of loading, out-of-the-box readiness, and lot-to-lot uniformity
• Prefer small primer options for ignition control and velocity tuning
• Want brass that behaves identically from the first round onward

In truth, many serious shooters use both. ADG brass for hunting rifles and PRC-class magnums, where pressure and durability are critical. Peterson brass for match rifles and training loads, where speed, uniformity, and smooth workflow matter most.

That balance - precision and endurance - is why Creedmoor Sports stocks both. They’re complementary, not competing.

Where Peterson and ADG fit in modern brass hierarchy

Ten years ago, Lapua was the undisputed benchmark of premium brass. Today, ADG and Peterson have reshaped that landscape. They’ve brought American engineering and process control into the same conversation, matching or exceeding European standards in multiple dimensions.

In the modern brass hierarchy:

• Lapua remains synonymous with traditional competition calibers and long-term reputation.
• ADG dominates among modern, high-pressure cartridges where strength and safety matter most.
• Peterson defines the new standard for consistency, finish, and immediate usability.

Below them sit brands like Norma, Nosler, and Hornady - all respectable but not as uniform or long-lived.

From a buyer’s standpoint, this means there’s no longer a single “right answer.” Creedmoor Sports customers can choose among equals, guided by application rather than reputation.

Conclusion

ADG and Peterson are two different expressions of the same ideal: brass that elevates the shooter’s performance instead of limiting it.

ADG stands for toughness, reliability, and structural precision - brass you can run hot, season after season, without worrying about pockets loosening or heads expanding.

Peterson stands for balance, polish, and control - brass that chambers smoothly, loads easily, and stays consistent across lots.

Both brands have earned their place at Creedmoor Sports because they represent the pinnacle of American brass manufacturing. Choosing between them isn’t about quality; it’s about intent.

If you need brass that can endure extreme pressure and repeated use, choose ADG. If you need brass that saves prep time and offers unmatched uniformity, choose Peterson.

Either way, you’re investing in the best - and whichever you buy, the case you hold in your hand is the product of craftsmanship, precision, and engineering discipline that sets the benchmark for modern reloading.