Looking for some input as I have never had this issue before. Took my Rifles Inc 300 Wby to the range to sight in with some Nosler trophy grade factory ammo. First shot the bolt handle locked up pretty good and made working it very difficult and you can clearly see where the ejector spring hits the case head. No pierced primer though. I have been shooting the Weatherby factory ammo - (cheap box of spitzers) with great accuracy and no issues.

Anyone had issues with the Nosler Trophy Grade ammo? I packed up the remaining ammo as obviously that round doesn't work for this rifle - I'm disappointed though. Expected more out of Nosler ammo.

Sounds like it was giving you "more"

How far is the bullet off the lands?

The only Nosler ammo I have bought is their 225gr partition load for my .350 rem mag. It's been great in my rifle so far. In fact the combination is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned. It will consistently shoot 3/4 inch or less groups and I think its capable of better if I took more care at the bench. Maybe the lot of ammo you bought has a problem?

a sample of one. I bought some factory nosler to try in my STW on the chance that I might have to use factory ammo some day. I also took Winchester and Remington ammo to the range with me. I wanted to shoot several three shot groups with each while shooting over the chronograph. the other two brands shot fair to good within the speed range expected. the nosler shot patterns not groups, the extraction was just a little stiff. what was really unexpected was the speed was over 250 fps over the speed listed on the factory box. when I got home the nosler brass would not even fit into my rcbs shell holder. contacted nosler and sent them the cases. they told me everything was within factory specs and no unusual dimensions were noted. didn't really expect them to say anything else. they replaced the ammo though.

I have tried Nosler ammo in several different calibers and different bullet weights in those calibers. My experience across the board is I got better accuracy with Federal Premium ammo using both Partition and Accubond bullets than I get from Nosler ammo.

I have not had any extraction problem from Nosler factory loaded ammo.

That's kind of interesting that you had problems with Nosler ammo in a Weatherby caliber. From what they advertise their stuff is quite a bit behind what Weatherby factory ammo is velocity wise. I wonder if they tried to use too fast a powder or just got the amount wrong. Like I said earlier I've found their ammo pretty good.

I tried some $14.00 a box PrivPart 180 gn 30-06 and could barely get my bolt open. I chronoed and it was 2663 avg; it also grouped very well.

There was a heavy anneal line extending well below the shoulder. I think the brass was too soft and that created the trouble.

No more cheap ammo for me!

ETA: Perhaps it is the brass and not the charge with the Nosler as well?

The manufacturers all appear to be letting QC fail a bit cranking out product as fast as possible?

Last year I was struggling to find a load for my 300 Win Mag prior to heading across the pond for a PG hunt. Therefore, out of a desperation, I bought some factory Barnes loads along with the 190 gr Nosler LRAB offering.

The Nosler ammo was the most accurate of the three loads I tried, however, I did have some sticky bolt extraction and very flat primers. After a couple trips to the range with the ammo and the same bolt extraction issues, I decided the ammo was too hot for my rifle. I ended up selling the unused ammo and found a handload I was happy with in the end.

This is the only Nosler Premium ammo I have ever tried, but I wouldn't let this one experience damper my need to try their offerings in the future.

I've purchased Nosler Custom ammo in 300SAUM, two bullet weights and used them in two Ruger M77 rifles with zero pressure issues; cartridge has a 65000psi PMAP.

I've run some 7mm SAUM Nosler 160 AB stuff through my rifle with no challenges. I've also run 7mm RMag in both 140 AB and 160 AB configuration with no problems.

Before you jump on Nosler you need to send that rifle back to the company or at least get a chamber cast, its obviously flawed, could be a overly tight chamber or something is catching the brass which I doubt..I have shot enough and chronographed enough Nosler ammo to think your chamber is undersized, cut with a well used reamer or is short and didn't get caught during inspection...However, that sometimes makes for better accuracy and long case life, but one must handload it and cut back on powder, and you will get the same velocity with less powder...In a word you may have what is usually considered a bench rest chamber by accident.

Be prepared for denial, Gun manufacturers and ammo makers hate to admit they made a mistake. it will however come out in the wash. I had the same problem with Cooper, and sent the gun back 4 times before they did what I told the to do and that was run the damn reamer in further so the bolt would close..On the 4th return they did and it worked just fine.. I was so disgusted with them I traded the gun off once they got it fixed and will never own another.

I would send the rifle back for another one, send the ammo to Nosler for inspection, keeping a fired round and loaded round for yourself btw is a good idea.

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
I tried some $14.00 a box PrivPart 180 gn 30-06 and could barely get my bolt open. I chronoed and it was 2663 avg; it also grouped very well.

There was a heavy anneal line extending well below the shoulder. I think the brass was too soft and that created the trouble.

No more cheap ammo for me!

ETA: Perhaps it is the brass and not the charge with the Nosler as well?

The manufacturers all appear to be letting QC fail a bit cranking out product as fast as possible?

Soft brass springs back easier, so the annealing is not causing the issue of sticky extraction.
The most likely cause is that European brass often has different dimensions than US made brass. The only PPU ammo I've tried was in 22-250, it gave me sticky bolt lift, ejector marks and scuffing near the base in my custom barreled Rem 700, the brass was tight in all dimensions.

As to the OP, how long is your throat?
Weatherby reamers are shorter in the throat these days than originally, all of my Weatherbys' are cut with either 3/8" (.375") or 1/2" (.500") long throats. All of my Weatherbys' are built on Model 70 stainless classic actions and HS Precision Sporter stocks, I've never been a fan of Weatherby rifles, but love their cartridges.
Measure your throat dimension by cutting 2 slots opposite each other in the neck all the way to the shoulder, seat a bullet just into it, carefully chamber it, extract it and measure it.
Hope this helps.

Cheers.