Nosler Premium Brass…

Turnbolt47

Turnbolt47

Senior Reloading Specialist
Feb 5, 2022
4
2
I purchased 2 boxes of Nosler .270Win Premium Brass, Fully Prepped Ready to load… I used my calipers to randomly measure the overall length of the cases… I was surprised to find a lot of the cases to be short… over trimmed… some of the cases were over-trimmed by as as -.008” to .011” ! For premium brass …. I am very disappointed with this Nosler product. Definitely NOT worth what I paid for them! For my premium brass needs I will definitely stick to purchasing Peterson Match Grade Brass! …
 
If you notice in most reloading guides, if not all, they recommend trimming your cases to a length shorter (0.010" +/- a few thou depending on cartridge) than the maximum case length to start with to minimize trimming as the cases stretch after initial firings.
So there is nothing wrong with the brass you bought. I will say that as in anything manmade and made by machine, there are manufacturing tolerances that their QA/QC will watch for, and a 0.003" variance (a 0.118% variance in overall case length) amongst cases is probably within their acceptable variance levels.

If your Peterson Match Grade brass is at max case length to start with, you should be trimming it to the recommended length before your initial loading. (I have just acquired my first batch of Peterson brass for a new rifle build still in progress, so I have yet to check their brass for length and trimming prior to handloading it.) I would ask if you have measured and found similar tolerances in your Peterson brass used to date?
Regardless of brand of brass you buy, you should be doing this (standard reloading procedure and best practice), and cycling it through your action to ensure that there will be no issues before priming, charging, and seating your bullets.
 
…Recommend trim length for the .270Win is 2.530”. Maximum case length for the 270Win is 2.540”. What I am saying that the Nosler Premium Brass that I purchased is a lot shorter than the minimum trim length of 2.530”. Measurements with my calipers measured 2.519” which is .011” shorter than the recommended minimum length of 2.530”. Overall cases in the 2 boxes were found to be trimmed way below the minimum recommended length of 2.530”. All that I am saying is that for Nosler Premium Brass, touting tighter tolerances than bulk brass… this falls way ‘short’ on what I expect for Premium Brass… per my standards of expectations as to what Nosler advertises. If this was bulk brass, this would be acceptable… but not for premium fully prepared bass as advertised.

My purchased Peterson Match Grade Brass is measuring at 2.530” +.002”/-.003” consistently…. and is what I expected out of the Nosler Premium Brass

Since you have purchased Peterson …just in the packaging of the two products… there is a big difference. I will definitely stick to the Peterson branded brass… as their product excels in what they advertise their products to be… that is Not the case with Nosler brass… it fall way short! (No pun intended!)….

TURNBOLT47
 
This is information that wasn't made clear in your first post.
And I can see how this would not meet your, or anyone else's, expectations.
I will say, that in anything manmade, we do see where automated production does tend to fall "short" from time to time and yet still makes it through the QA/QC checks to the dealer for customers.

I would contact Nosler directly and see if they will exchange or replace your brass for you.
 
Greetings Blkram!… To let you know, I indeed did contact Nosler about the Premium Brass as being trimmed too short for the .270Win casing. Every reloading manual recommends trimming the .270Win casings to 2.530”.
Nosler’s reply to me is that their Premium Brass is manufactured to SAAMI specifications: 2.540”-2.520” which is a range of .020”… so their Premium Brass cases can be anywhere from 2.540” minus .020”. They told me to be aware that the recommended 2.530” dimension is “right in the middle” of the SAAMI spec. 2.540” & 2.520”… So as far as Nosler is concerned, their Premium Brass is within SAAMI specifications & there is no issue.

What I was expecting was brass trimmed “close to the middle “, being 2.530”. Also on the box of their Premium Brass is states ‘Visually Inspected”… there is nothing stating that their cases are “Dimensionally Inspected”. For the price that they are selling their so-called Premium Brass is outrageous as to what the customer is getting… this brass in my opinion is no better than their bagged bulk brass! Oh, & that is how Nosler packages their Premium Brass… in a plastic bag & put into a little Nosler cardboard box!

Now, the Peterson Match Grade Brass is trimmed very close to the middle (2.530” +.001/-.002)… very consistent brass! This is what dimensionally I expected out of the Nosler brass. Also, the Peterson brass is packaged in a plastic box, with a foam layer to protect the cases from any dings or damage… & the necks are annealed. These Peterson brass cases are what I will be purchasing from now on whenever I am looking for premium brass casings. I was just looking for a premium case with a tighter tolerance spectrum than Nosler can deliver.
Just be aware that the Peterson brass is manufactured with a thicker web & brass walls, thus affecting the internal volume of the cases … which will produce higher pressure… so for any proven load to be used, drop the powder charge by1.5 to 2.0 grains, to be the acting load.

Live & Learn…I won’t be purchasing anymore Nosler Premium Brass!
 
And that's why it is great that we have options/choices!
Yes, Nosler has not been inexpensive, and even worse here in Canada with the exchange rates, and now the tariffs!

Glad to get the review on the Peterson brass. Looking forward to using it in my 25 Creedmoor when it is finished.
With QuickLoad, it is nice that one can adjust for the actual case capacity. (Just have to get the update for the 7mm PRC)
I'll have to look for some Peterson brass for my 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, and 7mm PRC. And then others...

How do you compare the Peterson brass to Lapua and ADG brass?
 
…I have not tried Lapua brass… as Lapua concentrates their cases mainly for popular European calibers…. They tend to skip over a lot of popular American … like the .270Win. Not sure if they manufacture for the 7mm REM. Mag. I would like to get some Lapua cases for my 6.5CM & try them out….
 
While they do not list for all North American cartridges, they do make quite a few, including:
  • 222 Rem
  • 223 Rem
  • 22-250 Rem
  • 243 Win
  • 6mm CM
  • 6mm GT
  • 6mm Dasher
  • 6.5 Grendel
  • 6.5 CM
  • 260 Rem
  • 6.5x284
  • 6.5 PRC
  • 7mm-08
  • 284 Win
  • 7mm PRC
  • 308 Win
  • 30-06
  • 300 WSM
  • 300 Win Mag
  • 300 PRC
I was surprised by how many cartridges one of the LGS in northern Alberta carried; 64.
Ordered my 7mm PRC brass this morning.
 
Turnbolt47 said:
…I have not tried Lapua brass… as Lapua concentrates their cases mainly for popular European calibers…. They tend to skip over a lot of popular American … like the .270Win. Not sure if they manufacture for the 7mm REM. Mag. I would like to get some Lapua cases for my 6.5CM & try them out….
Click to expand...
if I can offer a suggestion , I would give the Peterson brass a serious look , for the 7mm REM MAG . Peterson makes it in the "long" version . this will help it be a better fit to the chamber on the first firing , helping to eliminate about a .015" case stretch , or the need to form a false shoulder to eliminate this stretch . this should increase case life quite a bit .

I've had other issues with the Nosler brass . too many good brands out there , no need to fight with it .
 
You just can’t go wrong with Peterson. I do have some Nosler brass in several calibers , just average in my opinion.
 
I’m a new comer to Peterson brass, having only used 6.5 Wby RPM and 30 Nosler. What I have found is that it’s very consistent, both in trim length and weight. I’m very pleased with Peterson brass and plan on using more of it in various calibers.

JD338
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AMMUNITIONAmmunition BULLETSBullets BRASSBrass FirearmsFirearms GearGear
Back
Top