Nosler Premium Brass ?????

[Ttocs]

I had my 17 Rem re barrelled in 17 Fireball so I sold all my brass dies etc - but missed the 17 Rem so much I bought another. Just waiting for my variation to come back and spending the time accumulating all the bits and bobs for a new calibre.
For my previous 17Rem’s I used both Nosler and Remington brass - I preferred the Nosler as it was nicer than the Remington brass.
With this in mind, I spent £150 on 100 shiny new “Nosler Premium Brass” cases.
The cases arrived, did my usual quick check on length and started to run them through a Lee collet die to make sure the neck tension would be consistent.
Several cases into the process, one of the cases felt strange as I ran it into the die; on closer inspection, I found the case mouth was deformed. I went on to find several more that were unusable and othe cases that had dents in the body or at the neck.
Have I missed something? £150 “Custom Brass” ? I think I’ll post the duff cases to Nosler and ask if they think they’re a premium product. “Visually inspected”

 

[User00040]

Agreed, send back to the UK supplier.

 

[webley701]

It’s not too unusual to get the odd case mouth dented (even with Lapua) which can be iron out with a mandrel - but in years of handloading I’ve never seen cases deformed/damaged that badly! They look more like the reject pile than ‘premium’.

As mentioned above, definitely send them back.

Generally I’ve avoided Nosler cases as even when not damaged they seem over priced & don’t have a reputation to match.

P.S.
I’ve just noticed the ‘cases visually inspected’ claim on the box!

 

[8x57]

Return them to whoever sold them to you as they are who you have a contract with and request a refund. Clearly not of merchantable quality, in fact absolute rubbish.

 

[bluesako]

i use 17rem cases, and was given 50 nosler cases in 17rem to try, the nosler cases didnt last any longer than the rem cases, infact they lasted only 5 loading,s, compared to the rem cases some split at the neck and had loose primer pockets, i got upto 12 loads with the other rem cases before they were binned ?, i wouldnt spend all that money on nosler cases bs

 

[Bavarianbrit]

You can make .17 Remingtons out of 223 or 5.56 brass...but it'll be about .O20 inches short on the OAL no big deal. By running the .223/5.56s through a .17 Remington die just usually crushes the shoulder as it is too much brass to move in one stage. You first use a .222 RCBS trim die to set the shoulder back to the .17 Remington specs, then use a Redding .17 Remington die to full length size the cases. Works great.
Found it from on forum somewhere.

 

[Jelen]

That does not look like transit damage to me. As said above, send them back and get a refund.

 

[paulbshooting]

Used once, not the same quality as RWS or lapua

 

[Ttocs]

I’ve e-mailed Nosler to see what they have to say - could be interesting if they bother to reply at all.
N

 

[Border]

Visually inspected by Ray Charles. I would send it back. Nosler Custom brass used to be made by Norma. I have never seen Norma brass in that state. Come to think of it even the humble Remington brass, apart from case neck dings looks better than that. 17 Remington a classic, if niche round .

 

[Cyres]

I got some .204 Nosler brass about 18 months ago. At least 10% had defects split necks and what looked like weld splatter inside the necks. No point returning it as supplier as they had no other .204 brass in stock.i wouldn't buy again.
D

 

[C h r i s]

I've imported a load of Nosler .17 Fireball brass, the standard stuff in the bags, not the Premium in fancy boxes. So far its all been perfect, thank god as it cost a fortune to bring in - then again it still cost less than your 17 Rem brass!

Interested to see what Nosler have to say about this.

 

[308tikka]

I am curious why you would spend the money on expensive brass then use a Lee die !

 

[Ttocs]

I’ve e a17 Fireball to and use the bagged Nosler brass as well - no problems at all; but the “Premium” brass I just purchased is rough to say the least.

Why wouldn’t I use a Lee die? I use a Redding body die to bump the shoulder, a Lee collet die for the necks and a Hornady Custom Grade seating die.
The Lee die doesn’t over work the brass and gives a very consistent neck tension; I use one on my 17 Fireball too. I’ve, in the past, used RCBS and LE Wilson for 17 Rem but prefer the Lee collet die.
N

 

[308tikka]

I’ve e a17 Fireball to and use the bagged Nosler brass as well - no problems at all; but the “Premium” brass I just purchased is rough to say the least.

Why wouldn’t I use a Lee die? I use a Redding body die to bump the shoulder, a Lee collet die for the necks and a Hornady Custom Grade seating die.
The Lee die doesn’t over work the brass and gives a very consistent neck tension; I use one on my 17 Fireball too. I’ve, in the past, used RCBS and LE Wilson for 17 Rem but prefer the Lee collet die.
N

Fair enough. I last used a Lee collet die over twenty years ago. Ok results, I just think redding and rcbs are better.

As an aside, your contract is with the seller in the UK, not Nosler - although they be concerned enough to refund. I hope you get sorted.

 

[Ttocs]

I emailed Nosler last Thursday early am; I sent a very polite message with photos of the “duff” cases asking them for comment - I received an automated acknowledgement that said they aim to reply within a few hours - no reply.
Not too concerned then!
N

 

[jb1]

I am curious why you would spend the money on expensive brass then use a Lee die !

Very possibly the only available brass available at the moment. (without resizing 222 or 223 brass)

 

[cooper89]

I am curious why you would spend the money on expensive brass then use a Lee die !

Why not? I’ve all manner of different makes of dies and the lee dies don’t affect my cases or accuracy negatively in any way compared to my rcbs, redding or Hornady so… why not?

 

[Cyres]

I use all makes of dies and the best ones for my .204 are Lee! The seating die is better than my Redding match and doesn't leave any marks on the bullet cf the Redding die. In fact most of Lees reloading equipment is excellent.
D

 

[Colonel]

Nosler are very good products, I would wait for a reply from Nosler, normally customer service is very good