I think I found out who makes Nosler brass

cam1936

cam1936

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Just bought a box of .280 Rem Nosler Custom brass. While priming it I was inspecting each case and 49 cases were perfect. 1 case was stamped "F-C .25-06" The brass was obviosuly a piece of .25-06 that had been run through a .280 die as the neck was 7mm, but the shoulder was set back and the case was shorter than a .280 case. This case was also not chamfered.

I can only assume Federal is making this brass for Nosler since how else does a F-C headstamp end up there?

If Nosler is just taking Federal brass, weight sorting it and prepping it I'm pissed since this stuff is twice the cost of Federal. I emailed Nosler, I'll let you guys know what they say.
 
Nothing wrong with federal if you ignore all the Internet "experts". Ive been using it for a long time and it holds up just as well as the other big names.
 
B said:
Nothing wrong with federal if you ignore all the Internet "experts". Ive been using it for a long time and it holds up just as well as the other big names.
Click to expand...

I happen to be one of those people that have found some federal brass to be on the soft side. I hardly think of myself as an expert.:rolleyes:
 
B said:
Nothing wrong with federal if you ignore all the Internet "experts". Ive been using it for a long time and it holds up just as well as the other big names.
Click to expand...

I've got the BS flag out on this one!! :bsFlag:
I have been reloading since 1965, so have a bit of a handle on the process.

Most Federal brass certainly is softer than either Frontier, Winchester or R-P brass.
How do I know? The primer pockets open up in as few as 2 firings to the point that primers seat with practically zero effort.
I use a hand priming tool which gives a good feel of the effort needed.

Also in measuring the solid web after firing with a vernier [.0001"] micrometer, Federal brass will grow a bit after each firing, whereas the others, digesting the same loads will not grow after the first firing.

Now I'm not saying Federal is "bad" brass, I am only noting it is softer than the competition.
Therefore it necessitates loading down somewhat if you want it to last.
This may mean you will be unable to exploit the potential of the round with Federal Brass.

FWIW, the Nosler 270 Winchester brass I have is also a bit on the "soft" side.

Regards, Eagleye
 
Eagleye, I concur especially in the higher power stuff like 30/06 and 300 win mag, primer pockets open up pretty quickly. I also use the hand priming tool, just gives better feel. I have S and B brass that have the same feel to the primer pocket after 10 or more re-loadings, no so with the Federal.

There is usually tons of the stuff kicking around our range so I usually use it for a couple of reloads and then recycle. For the most part just as accurate as other brass. Will I use it, definitely, bill I buy it? No...
 
I find federal brass is good until you get near max loads, then it cant keep up with win or rem even.

nosler must be paying good bucks, for them to make brass thats better than their own brand...
 
According to Nosler, their brass is purchased from multiple sources depending on the cartridge. The 280AI brass is supposedly supplied by Norma, and some early brass wore Norma head stamps.
 
Eagleye said:
Most Federal brass certainly is softer than either Frontier, Winchester or R-P brass.
How do I know? The primer pockets open up in as few as 2 firings to the point that primers seat with practically zero effort.
I use a hand priming tool which gives a good feel of the effort needed.
Click to expand...

Exactly.
 
The brass comes from a few sources, includeing Federal. We have generally accepted that .300 Win was GMM and its too soft. For what its worth, .300 Weatherby and .300 Ultra are also too soft but 22/250 and .204 seem to be solid stuff.
 
"Hi *******,

This is a most interesting occurrence that has happened to you since I've never heard of this happening before and not entirely sure how it happened in the first place. My only guess could be that there was a piece of leftover brass in the prep machine that our ballistics department was going to use for load data or maybe the FC brass accidentally fell into the Nosler brass bin but again, these are just guesses.

Our General Manager would like to see the piece of brass in question so he can try and figure out how and/or why this happened. So, If you're interested, I'll trade you that mystery FC brass for a box of Nosler 280 Rem brass if that sounds fair?

Thank you for contacting Nosler about this and I hope to hear from you soon."
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Hmmmm, good response. Don't think they can send me brass or I can send them the case though being in Canada. Right?
 
Everybody is confusing me since I remembered reading that most of Nosler's brass cases was produced by Norma ?!?!?!
I'm not sure anymore but Nosler brass is of the same quality and hardness as Norma's brass.

Alex
 
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