Huge weight variation in Nosler 30-06 brass? What gives?

[Bromel]

Today I was doing some weight and volume comparison between Nosler Custom 30-06 and Winchester 30-06 cases. I was just curious to see if they were close enough to use interchangeably with a hunting load that I had worked up in the Nosler brass.

Well, in the course of weighing some brass, I discovered that some of my Nosler brass was weighing about 20 grains more than the other Nosler brass. The heavier ones were averaging about 205.5 grains, while the lighter ones weighed around 185.5 grains (both once-fired with primers still in). Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the labels on the heads of the larger ones had a larger font, so I started using this to pick out the heavier ones. I finally determined that I had 50 of the heavy ones, an amount equal to one box of Nosler Custom brass. So apparently I purchased one box of the Nosler that is heavier than the others.

It's kind of ironic that Nosler goes to great lengths to advertise that their brass is weight sorted. But then the weights between lots are 20 grains off??? Do they think that I am only going to buy their brass once?

Does anyone know the details? When did the weight in Nosler 30-06 cases change? And will it remain consistent from now on??

 

[chet]

quite simply, you have two different lots.
however 20grs seems excessive.......

The font difference makes me think that they possibly have changed suppliers, or simply the main supplier (norma) changed the design. (heavier webbing in the case head).

 

[Guest]

I don't generally weight sort brass, as I've not found it necessary for good hunting accuracy. But I do keep my rifle brass lots separate, regardless. That's a cardinal rule for me. I keep most of my pistol lots separate, except for the .38Spl Wadcutter loads I shoot at extremely low pressure compared to max.

What Nosler is advertising is consistent in that they provide a weight sorted purchase of brass, presumably all from the same lot, when you purchase a box of 50. I'm not sure what you'd do if you wanted 100 matched cases, but I'm sure Nosler would accomodate you via lot numbers and so forth if that's what you're after.

Regardless of weights being equal and such, I don't mix brass lots when loading because even brass of the same weight, from different lots, can have significant case variance between the lots, and this can impact case volume, and ultimately impact load consistency and thus safety if you're loading close to max. If you're not close to max, and wish to mix lots, that's not an issue, other than for consistency, but that consistency is going to be an issue even if the brass from two different lots weighs the same. Unless you can reliably measure neck and wall thickness at varying points along the case body, and get a true volume measurement from the case, you're just guessing about capacity anyway. If it helps, I don't think it matters much for accuracy, as I've had very accurate loads from various bulk brass sources over the years without weight sorting. If you like it, I don't think it can hurt, though, so go for it.

 

[Bromel]

I am reloading for the 168 grain E-Tip bullet for which there is no published loading data. And this very long, monolithic bullet can cause high pressure faster than "normal" bullets, so Nosler recommends not exceeding their medium load data. Because of this, I am being extra cautious in working up my load. And I was a little shocked to see such a huge weight difference in cases of the same brand. Just goes to show that you can't take anything for granted in reloading.

PS: It is possible to get a fairly accurate measurement of case capacity by filling the case to the brim with a ball powder and then weighing the powder. I have a can of Accurate 2520 ball powder and used it successfully this morning to compare case capacities.

 

[DrMike]

It is possible to get a fairly accurate measurement of case capacity by filling the case to the brim with a ball powder and then weighing the powder. I have a can of Accurate 2520 ball powder and used it successfully this morning to compare case capacities.

This assumes that density of the powder is 1 gram per cubic centimeter (most are not). It is more accurate to use deoxygenated water. Let the water set overnight in a container open to the air. Plug the flash hole with some bees wax. Then, zero your scale and ufill the case with deoxygenated water until you form a meniscus. Weight the water and you will have an accurate measure of case capacity.

 

[Guest]

I've used BL-C(2) for the same "relative" comparison, as I seem to always have some of that sitting around (and funny thing is, I seldom use BL-C(2) anymore...except for case volume estimating!). It does work, but plenty of people don't care for that method as it is open to some variability based on filling rate and compaction, along with the whole issue of the potential for a few grains to be left in the case after the fact. But, like you, I have found it to work reasonably well as a relative measure.

As for the E-Tips, I'll offer this advice - use a very slow powder (slowest appropriate powder) and seat them about .030-.100" shorter than you've seated other 165/168gr bullets. I love the E-Tips in my 270Wby, and I'm working them up in other chamberings as I need to. Great performance on my buck this year.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Brom, where the lettering is different on the cases, that tells me your bass is probably not from just two different lots, but from two completly different RUNS, and maybe not even from the same plant. (If the second run was from the same plant, why wouldn't they just use the same stamp as before). I weight sort most of my rifle brass, and have lots for various manufacters that are 20 grains different from a different lot. With Winchester, about 80% of the brass in a given lot will be within a reaonable tolerance. On the other hand I've sorted other brands, namely Federal, where it looked like they were running 10 different machines, cutting from 10 different roles all into the same box. :?

If I wanted 100 nosler cases close in weight, I'd buy two boxes from the same lot number, and make sure they were sitting right next to each other on the shelf. Maybe I'd get lucky, maybe not.

 

[barthowes]

also I would try depriming and cleaning the case prior to wieghing, just to take care of all the variables. I agree that this seems common with a lot to lot variance. From what I understand they just sort them by weight so that each box is the same. much like you would do if you bought a bulk bag of, say winchester, brass. you way them all and sort them into appropriate groups. by not mixing these groups you minimize your deviations.(theoritcally). Those cases would be a lot more expensive if every one they made weighed the same.

 

[JD338]

quite simply, you have two different lots.
however 20grs seems excessive.......

The font difference makes me think that they possibly have changed suppliers, or simply the main supplier (norma) changed the design. (heavier webbing in the case head).

Or run on two different lines. What was the weight tolerance within the same box/lot?

JD338