jam1e Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 I'm at the point of just shelling out for some decent .223 Rem brass. Initially I was going to buy Lapua brass. But after reading a recent post about what is perceived to be a drop in Lapua brass quality, I'm thinking about maybe going for a box of the Nosler Custom brass. Can anyone offer some constructive advice on what would be the best brass to go for? Has anyone out there used both the Lapua and Nosler Custom brass? If so, what would you consider to be the better brass and why? No idea how well known the Nosler Custom Brass is, so I've put a link to it below. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nosler-reg-Custom-Rifle-Brass/731922.uts Cheers Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixhills 69 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 (edited) I use Norma brass which is I believe Lupua brass I maybe wrong but that's what I read somewhere I use Hornady for my 223 but was looking at replacing this soon. Will cabelas post brass to the UK as the Americans are very funny about posting things due to customs but would love to know what their prices would be. Edited May 28, 2014 by sixhills 69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soother223 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Using lap brass in 2 of my rifles both different cals and not had a single issue.. Was using noslers in my 243 and so was my mate, no issues there either. . Only advice I would give is give mark (spud1967) a bell. He will put you on the right path👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 (edited) FWIW The name on the end may not be the actual maker At one stage Nosler cases were by Norma ( Sweden) and others .... maybe still is? Have no problems at all with Lapua cases ... most consistent weight, length and neck thickness. Now I just take it from the box, check theres a hole at each end, run in onto an expander mandrel, load and go. Unless you can find a regular local supply of Nosler case they seem to end up on the American no fly list. At least Lapua and Norma should (usually) be available locally. Edited May 28, 2014 by seeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted May 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Thanks for the replies folks. Hadn't thought about Norma. I take it they're just as good as Nosler and Lapua? Seeker, what do you mean by, "run in onto an expander mandrel"?? Cheers Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/expander-mandrels-and-neck-tension/ Its partner in crime is a Lee collet die .. less work ... of brass and for me .. = more case life and shooting time. ps .. Having coffee and watching some cases waiting for work I remember that I get the same expansion/tension with the collet die because the central rod had the same diameter as the expander (spooky) ... Just don't pull hard to operate the collet bit on new cases, or until they need sizing down. Edited May 29, 2014 by seeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 I am still using a few of nosler custom brass from some years back, but gone over to lapua now and I can't really say either one is street's ahead of the other. The consistency of both is very good with variances of less 1.5 grain and less, primer holes both very clean too, Would I buy it again ? Depending on price lapua or nosler which ever is cheapest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Just what is custom about the Nosler brass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Just what is custom about the Nosler brass? its prepped ready to load and will have less weight variences.i paid £100 for 100 nosler .204 brass from reloading solutions recently and felt robbed at that price.they can do all the prep they like but its no good when i looked in one case to find coiled off cuts from the brass.if i had not noticed it that would have driven preasure through the roof.so even though it says ready to load give it a look over.all that said its good stuff but since i have the tools sat on the bench i think lapua is the way to go imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 its prepped ready to load and will have less weight variences.i paid £100 for 100 nosler .204 brass from reloading solutions recently and felt robbed at that price.they can do all the prep they like but its no good when i looked in one case to find coiled off cuts from the brass.if i had not noticed it that would have driven preasure through the roof.so even though it says ready to load give it a look over.all that said its good stuff but since i have the tools sat on the bench i think lapua is the way to go imo They have a great selection of equipment, and are very helpful, buy crikey that is expensive! :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 I use lapua it was some older stock I got off here and is very good. The new lap is supposed to be a bit lighter. http://www.6mmbr.com/223rem.html About 3 pages down there is a table with the brass weights and other info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 So it is not custom...just merely prepped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 "So it is not custom...just merely prepped " merely part prepped from the example above. .. I actually prefer cases that come with the annealing coloration still there, I then know it hasn't been missed ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Yeah me too.....custom I would of thought, would had your name on the head or some fancy engraving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted June 1, 2014 Report Share Posted June 1, 2014 Prepped in what way? are they batched by weight or volume or neck thickness? you still better be checking for neck dings and running them through a neck sizer you still better be checking for swarf and sharp bits inside around the flash hole FWIW Norma and Lapua (which is made by Norma!) are the only ones that drill flash holes It has better weight tolerance, comes pre-annealed like Lapua etc etc http://precisionrifleblog.com/2012/06/15/norma-7mm-rem-mag-brass-weight-variation/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.