I'm about to replace brass for one of my rifles and purchase a new lot for a new rifle as well. I am becoming increasingly interested in the Nosler Custom brass, but I haven't heard anything of substance about it really.<BR><BR>A quick search on AR by subject line yielded this topic that has me a little concerned:<BR><a href="https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5411043/m/148109675?r=148109675#148109675" target="_blank">http://forums.accuratereloadin...=148109675#148109675</a><BR><BR>I then priced out the 300 WSM (new in 2010) brass and found the following prices for TWENTY FIVE (25) pieces:<BR><BR>Midway - $47.99<BR>MidSouth - $48.29<BR>Nosler - $52.40<BR>Cabelas - $52.99<BR><BR>OUCH!!!<BR><BR>Does anyone have REAL experience with any of the Nosler brass (not just the 300 WSM)?Do you like it? (specify your reasons below, both good and bad, pretty please)YesNoI have never tried it personally and therefore shouldn't really vote but I can't hlep myself from clicking on polls

So far I went thru 100 pieces of 30-06. I bought 2 boxes of 50 for about $38 each when I could not find Lapua in 30-06. Length was good, weight was off on a few by 4 grains IIRC but most were within 1-2gr. Primer pockets were strong and flash holes were all nice and uniform -- deburred.

The brass is pretty stout. I was running some really hot loads w. 200gr Accubonds. Primer pockets help up well.

Overall the brass is IMHO in the "VERY GOOD" category. BUT I would not buy it over Lapua or even Norma which I put in the "BEST" category.

On the downside, Nosler brass is expensive.

On the upside, unless you buy their seconds, it's all weight sorted, case mouths are chamfered and primer pockets are deburred.

I use it when seconds are available (which are very good in my experience) but otherwise go with more economical options.

I really like the brass but I am of the opinion that the world is going MAD with current day prices. Say all you want, there is no reason why someone should have to pay $1 for a piece of brass or $100 for a pair of blue jeans. The upside is that it can be reloaded many times over which helps lower my blood pressure abit

quote:

Originally posted by craigcampbell:
...there is no reason why someone should have to pay $1 for a piece of brass...

This TWO dollars ($2.00) a piece for brass!

The prices above are for 25 pieces.

I really bitched paying $105 for 100 pieces of Norma, but I too think this is a ridiculous price for a standard chambering.

My Nosler .300 WM brass does not have the powder capacity of my much loved .300 WM Lupua brass. Thus, slightly lower velocity ( within safe limits, imo ). Otherwise, very good brass !

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Hundley:
My Nosler .300 WM brass does not have the powder capacity of my much loved .300 WM Lupua brass. Thus, slightly lower velocity ( within safe limits, imo ). Otherwise, very good brass !

Smaller case capacity seems to be a recurring theme...

Any truth to this in other calibers?

I was planning to buy some Nosler 300 wsm brass, but saw the price in Cabelas and said forget it. I'll stick with Norma.

I have not use anything but the 30-06 brass but my experience leads me to thik the primer pockets are soft on my lot. I will be working with it more in the coming months.

Does Nosler actually make the brass or is it out sourced with their head stamp?

quote:

I have never tried it personally and therefore shouldn't really vote but I can't hlep myself from clicking on polls

I didn't vote because of your 3rd choice, I could give a dern about poll results.....

But my real world experience is they cost to much for me to even want to try them.

If I had a .280 AI however that would be a different story!!!!!

I've used a lot, in several different calibers.
I have seen none of the negative comments evident in the brass I've used. It has all been EXTREMELY consistent in weight, and all other aspects. I have not seen any reduced capacity issues.

I've seen that price on their web site too, I wonder if that price is suposed to be for 50....all the other brass I have bought has been less than a $ a case...usually something like $36-$40 for 50 270 Win Nosler

I wouldn't EVER pay that price, I'd go Lapua or Norma--I know Norma makes 300 WSM, not sure about Lapua.....I've got a lot of Win brass, and it needs some tweaking to match up to the Nosler, but one can do a good bit of tweaking for that cost differential IMO!

Yes, I like it very much. I approach handloading for my big game and varmint rifles in the same manner as benchrest. I separate my brass by weight. The Nosler Custom brass have weighed within a grain with each box I have. They are worth the cost to me.

Question for those of you who have found weight to be solid --- how many rounds have you weighed in a specific caliber? I ask because I have had a hard time getting Lapua 30-06 in bulk. My 30-06 Nosler performed well but did have a few with too much weight difference for premium brass.

Thanks in advance.

Well I have in 204, and I loaded it right out of the box, just as they said you could do.. I like that they think it is a very durable product. Their on going test load and fired 39 loads of 223 before a failure
I was under the impression that Norma brass is soft?
If you are trying to get the most out of brass I would go with a product that is a higher grade. FS

quote:

Originally posted by 338zmag:
I was planning to buy some Nosler 300 wsm brass, but saw the price in Cabelas and said forget it. I'll stick with Norma.

I am starting to feel the same way as you. At least with standard cartridges. I might fudge a little for the 280 AI, but I've read more than one story about doughnuts and/or reduced case capacity. So the verdict is still out. Others on here don't seem to be experiencing reduced case capacity, so that's a good thing.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

If I had a .280 AI however that would be a different story!!!!!

Well, as a matter of fact I do. That is one of the rifles that is getting new brass and the main reason Nosler piqued my curiosity once again. Truthfully, I really don't mind meticulously prepping brass for a rifle. Not having to cull cases due to weight variation is a bonus. Also, the correct headstamp would be nice though, but that doesn't make it shoot any better!

I used it for my 308 and 300RUM with excellent results in accuracy.Compared to my Win 308 cases,I find there is more effort required to seat bullets with Nosler cases in my Redding competition seater.

Water capacity of once fired .300 WM Nosler brass from the chamber of my rifle is 88.6 grs. Lapua water capacity is 94.2 grs. Winchester is 92 grs. FWIW.
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Hundley:
Water capacity of once fired .300 WM Nosler brass from the chamber of my rifle is 88.6 grs. Lapua water capacity is 94.2 grs. Winchester is 92 grs. FWIW.
Jim

Thanks, Jim. We appreciate the numbers. I am starting to think that reduced case capacity is common with the Nosler brass.

Anyone else have any numbers to support or refute that theory?

quote:

Originally posted by Kenati:

quote:

Originally posted by 338zmag:
I was planning to buy some Nosler 300 wsm brass, but saw the price in Cabelas and said forget it. I'll stick with Norma.

I am starting to feel the same way as you. At least with standard cartridges. I might fudge a little for the 280 AI, but I've read more than one story about doughnuts and/or reduced case capacity. So the verdict is still out. Others on here don't seem to be experiencing reduced case capacity, so that's a good thing.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

If I had a .280 AI however that would be a different story!!!!!

Well, as a matter of fact I do. That is one of the rifles that is getting new brass and the main reason Nosler piqued my curiosity once again. Truthfully, I really don't mind meticulously prepping brass for a rifle. Not having to cull cases due to weight variation is a bonus. Also, the correct headstamp would be nice though, but that doesn't make it shoot any better!

I just came across 280 AI Nosler brass for $60.95/50 count.