low capacity 221 Nosler brass?

[nmiller]

I'm just getting started on a 20 vartarg and I'm using Nosler brass to save some forming steps. After 2 firings I still can't fit more than 18.5 gr of H4198 and it is compressed even with a 32 gr pill. I have just a tiny bit of radius on the shoulder-body junction but I can't imagine that I'll ever fit up to the 20.2 gr I've seen in data more than one place. I was forming with 18.0 gr of H4198 and molied 32 grainers. I understand that moly lowers pressure but i just can't see where the extra capacity will come from. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[L.Sherm]

20.2 sounds pretty hot to me in a 20 vartarg of 4198

 

[CatShooter]

I'm just getting started on a 20 vartarg and I'm using Nosler brass to save some forming steps. After 2 firings I still can't fit more than 18.5 gr of H4198 and it is compressed even with a 32 gr pill. I have just a tiny bit of radius on the shoulder-body junction but I can't imagine that I'll ever fit up to the 20.2 gr I've seen in data more than one place. I was forming with 18.0 gr of H4198 and molied 32 grainers. I understand that moly lowers pressure but i just can't see where the extra capacity will come from. Has anyone else experienced this?

Are you using a drop tube for the powder?

If not, you should, it will increase the capacity.

 

[nmiller]

Lsherm , while it may be hot I can't even come close to 19 gr of powder much less 20. At 18.5 gr it's about .050"from full and you can hear it compress.

Cat shooter, I'm using a 4" tube on my Harrells and it seems to be less affected by settling. Can't shake or tap them down.

 

[L.Sherm]

I think with an extruded powder about 19grs. Is all your gonna get.

 

[bheadboy]

I have had a number of them, the 4198 worked well but for the same reason you experience I switched to blc and 2015 as both fill better and shot very well with good velocity. even with 50grers

Bob

 

[varmintshooter]

I don't use nosler brass but with any other 18.8 is about max. with the 32's. Look at Todd Kindlers terrific twenties, 19.9 is max and his loads are on the hot side.

 

[nmiller]

Bob, I'll give 2015 a try.

Varmintshooter, I've got the book and iirc it lists 20.2 as their top load. I'm not dead set on getting top end velocity but it would be nice to get within 150fps of what everyone else seems to get with 4198. 3500 is a bit disappointing with 32 gr. I'm hoping that going to naked bullets will give me some velocity back too.

 

[varmintshooter]

When I was loading 18.8 gr of h 4198 I was right at 3800 with the 32's. I was getting 3500 with 39 sbk and 18 gr of h4198, all naked with 24" barrel. I was using a F1 chrony, it may be off by a little but I don't think it is far off.

 

[L.Sherm]

If you have or can get your hands on some aa2200 I think would work well in a 20 vartarg

 

[th82457]

RL7 & H322 work well also. Would still not venture beyond 18 - 19.0 grains depending on your gun. Sweet spot on mine is between 18.5 - 19.0 of either.

 

[nmiller]

I have plenty of 2200 so that will be my first try and I also have Re7 and a little 322 so we'll see what those do.

 

[300meter]

For comparison, I'm using brass formed from LC. With 4198 the max capacity is 19.0 without compressing. Mine shoots best with naked 32 Vmax at 18.5 and a velocity of 3750.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

The brass happens to be produced by Remington for Nosler :-[ Remington brass has a bit less capacity than NORMA or Winchester. Nosler preps the bulk brass from Remington and offers the hand loader some pretty closely matched brass.
[/quote]

I know for an absolute fact, it is NOT R-P brass. No offense, but you're very much mistaken in this regard.

 

[CatShooter]

I'm just getting started on a 20 vartarg and I'm using Nosler brass to save some forming steps. After 2 firings I still can't fit more than 18.5 gr of H4198 and it is compressed even with a 32 gr pill. I have just a tiny bit of radius on the shoulder-body junction but I can't imagine that I'll ever fit up to the 20.2 gr I've seen in data more than one place. I was forming with 18.0 gr of H4198 and molied 32 grainers. I understand that moly lowers pressure but i just can't see where the extra capacity will come from. Has anyone else experienced this?

Are you using a drop tube to get the powder in the case - it will work and give you an additional 7% to 10% capacity, depending on the powder.

When you get past 18.5gr, watch your pressure signs, as you are getting "up there" in pressures.

 

[th82457]

I think the answer to who produces .221 brass for Nosler is as follows. For loaded ammo - Remington. For empty brass - Norma. I have empty Nosler brass that was not made by Remington when you compare to a Rem. 221 case. Either way stay in the 18-19 gr powder range and your Vartarg will work very well.

 

[ab_bentley]

I too know for a fact it's not Remington made.

Adam

 

[JohnHenry]

Hopefully we may see some Lapua 221 brass in the not too distant future. Emailed Lapua two weeks ago and they estimate first deliveries to the U.S. in early April.

 

[nmiller]

Cat shooter, like I wrote earlier, I'm using a 4" drop tube and I guess if it takes a longer tube than that I'll just write it off with 4198.

 

[CatShooter]

I'm just getting started on a 20 vartarg and I'm using Nosler brass to save some forming steps. After 2 firings I still can't fit more than 18.5 gr of H4198 and it is compressed even with a 32 gr pill. I have just a tiny bit of radius on the shoulder-body junction but I can't imagine that I'll ever fit up to the 20.2 gr I've seen in data more than one place. I was forming with 18.0 gr of H4198 and molied 32 grainers. I understand that moly lowers pressure but i just can't see where the extra capacity will come from. Has anyone else experienced this?

How much do your Nosler cases weigh (without primer).