So I purchased my first two boxes of Nosler brass. I sort of had too, as it is headstamped properly to take to Africa (280 AI), so I have heard the ammo has to match rifle, etc., so no fireforming from other cases. I am not dealing with TSA more than I have too! Is there any way of finding out who made this stuff? one box, the cases have "nosler" on the base, the other box they were marked "-nos-". I have heard Norma makes it, but I have also heard that winchester makes it? I am going to call Nosler about one box tomorrow. no way these are visually inspected. almost the entire batch will need to be fireformed. they look more like a weatherby shoulder than an Ackley, hell I think they would need to be fireformed to match a weatherby as well! I guess Lapua has spoiled me over the years!!! I didn't want to have to fire form 50 rounds, but I guess I will, unless it was just a bad batch or something. I guess I am wondering if it was Norma made brass I would probably keep it and fireform with a few with same load I already worked up to see how they did. If it was Winchester made stuff, I'd just ask to return it for another box hoping they had the proper shoulder on them. Or is the "who made it" just a bunch of internet B.S. and Nosler actually makes it????? education required please!
In the past Nosler was made by Norma, but Nosler bought out someone and now make their own brass in the Bend, Or facility, so I have been told. It would be best to call them and get direct information, from them.
Yes they bought ssa and make their own brass now. You may be disappointed with the nosler ackley brass if you have a real ackley chamber. I have exactly 11lbs of it- i think you know why i have that much. My advice is to get your barrel re-marked as 280rem and use 280rem brass unless you actually used a nosler ackley reamer and have nosler ackley dies. Its way easier though to re-mark your barrel to brass that works in your rifle. My 280ai barrel says 30-06sprg on it.
Dusty, re-marking the barrel is a great idea. problem is that it is a kimber mountain ascent rifle. It might still be an option thou. I will look at the gun and see. I am waiting on Nosler to open today and call them about it. I am guessing but I wonder if the cases marked -NOS- are the newer stuff. It matches the box of factory ammo that I just bought. For what it is worth the factory ammo wasn't half bad, it has been shooting around 1" groups. I bought it just for the brass as it was cheaper 140 ballistic tip factory ammo. the load i worked up for it shoots way better. I am very happy with it the gun so far. It was a little weird buying factory ammo thou, haven't bought factory ammo in so long it's not even funny. I guess I will let ya'll know what Nosler says.
well it was made at their new facility. they have great customer service BTW. offered to exchange it for another box immediately. I told them if they didn't care I might shoot a couple to see if it will fire form out, which it should, and still shoot well. They said go for it, if it doesn't work call me back and we will fix it and get you a new box immediately. You cannot beat that for customer service. Of course it will be aggravating to have to fireform it out, but maybe it'll shoot just fine during fireforming. I can kill some groundhogs with it, or a few deer this fall instead of just shooting 50 rounds at paper.....
I have bought a lot of Nosler .280 Ackley brass and never seen a shoulder like that. They have always looked just like the loaded one. I have always been pleased with Nosler brass in the past. It has always been very uniform and consistent for me.
Nosler has great CS. Glad theyre helping or willing to help. Your gunsmith can re-mark the barrel pretty easily if you do have to go that route
Looks like the new case shoulders were just like the results from a hydraulic form die, going to 40*.
