Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? - The Firearms Forum

whip · 07-04-2011, 11:44 AM

I just bought some new Nolser 300 RUM brass. I was putting Federal 215 Match Primers into the new brass but found them extremely tight fitting. I had to really force the primers in to make them fit flush to the base of the case. In doing so I also noticed the primers were flatten quite a bit. Just wondering if this was normal for this combination. My old Remington brass was getting to where they would not hold primers securely thats why I ordered the new Nolser brass. Maybe I have forgotten how it feels to prime new brass verses old brass?

I like the 300 RUM its been a great shooter and has been relatively easy to reload. But occasionally I run into problems. Earlier I found if I full length resized with my RCBS dies I was setting the shoulder back and they wouldn't chamber. I have since learned to limited my resizing to the point the cases chamber easily in my rifle. The case life for my original Remington brass hasn't been extremely long, after about 4 or 5 reloadings the primers get loose. That may be due to me switching from Match 215s to regular 215s due to the primer shortage two years ago. I keep my loads fairly soft in order to prolong barrel life and keep my shoulder from premature aging! I running about 3125 fps with Nolser Accubond 180 grain bullet which is well under max loading. I accidentally mixed my cases last year and lost track of the number of reloadings per case. As a result I bought new brass to start over correctly. I have a bighorn sheep tag for the local area near where I live here in Wyoming and have been shooting about 10 rounds a week to sharpen up my skills. If it wasn't for reloading I doubt I could afford the ammo.

JLA · 07-04-2011, 11:51 AM

Nosler brass is pretty tight stuff. I wouldnt worry about it much unless its destroying the primer. They will loosen back up soon enough. The .300 RUM isnt known for its good brass life..

woolleyworm · 07-04-2011, 12:05 PM

The primers shouldn't be flattening, what is the pocket depth on the new brass, also, take a diameter measurement.

Have you fired any of the new brass yet? If not, I'd load one up with primer only and make sure that the primer detonates properly before doing a full load workup with them.

312shooter · 07-04-2011, 09:18 PM

I'd use a chamfering and deburring tool on the primer pocket, but be extremely careful, think of smoothing the pocket more than chamfering it, should at least help start and prevent damage to the primer during seating. Other than that, a tight primer is a good one.

whip · 07-05-2011, 01:29 PM

I tried out a loaded round this morning and it shot fine. Primer didn't show excessive signs of pressure. I did check the pockets uniformity and they were tight to the specs. My old brass that I will be throwing away now are just enough out to need culling. The Nolser brass had perfect necks and the primer pocket holes were also all uniform. Good stuff!

JLA · 07-05-2011, 03:03 PM

It is. Nosler brass in my experience is as good as Norma and Lapua at half the price.

07-04-2011, 11:44 AM	#1
whip V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 239	Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? I just bought some new Nolser 300 RUM brass. I was putting Federal 215 Match Primers into the new brass but found them extremely tight fitting. I had to really force the primers in to make them fit flush to the base of the case. In doing so I also noticed the primers were flatten quite a bit. Just wondering if this was normal for this combination. My old Remington brass was getting to where they would not hold primers securely thats why I ordered the new Nolser brass. Maybe I have forgotten how it feels to prime new brass verses old brass? I like the 300 RUM its been a great shooter and has been relatively easy to reload. But occasionally I run into problems. Earlier I found if I full length resized with my RCBS dies I was setting the shoulder back and they wouldn't chamber. I have since learned to limited my resizing to the point the cases chamber easily in my rifle. The case life for my original Remington brass hasn't been extremely long, after about 4 or 5 reloadings the primers get loose. That may be due to me switching from Match 215s to regular 215s due to the primer shortage two years ago. I keep my loads fairly soft in order to prolong barrel life and keep my shoulder from premature aging! I running about 3125 fps with Nolser Accubond 180 grain bullet which is well under max loading. I accidentally mixed my cases last year and lost track of the number of reloadings per case. As a result I bought new brass to start over correctly. I have a bighorn sheep tag for the local area near where I live here in Wyoming and have been shooting about 10 rounds a week to sharpen up my skills. If it wasn't for reloading I doubt I could afford the ammo. --> Last edited by whip; 07-04-2011 at 11:45 AM..

07-04-2011, 11:51 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? Nosler brass is pretty tight stuff. I wouldnt worry about it much unless its destroying the primer. They will loosen back up soon enough. The .300 RUM isnt known for its good brass life.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! Last edited by JLA; 07-04-2011 at 11:53 AM..

07-04-2011, 12:05 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? The primers shouldn't be flattening, what is the pocket depth on the new brass, also, take a diameter measurement. Have you fired any of the new brass yet? If not, I'd load one up with primer only and make sure that the primer detonates properly before doing a full load workup with them. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

07-04-2011, 09:18 PM	#4
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,158	Re: Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? I'd use a chamfering and deburring tool on the primer pocket, but be extremely careful, think of smoothing the pocket more than chamfering it, should at least help start and prevent damage to the primer during seating. Other than that, a tight primer is a good one. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

07-05-2011, 01:29 PM	#5
whip V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 239	Re: Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? I tried out a loaded round this morning and it shot fine. Primer didn't show excessive signs of pressure. I did check the pockets uniformity and they were tight to the specs. My old brass that I will be throwing away now are just enough out to need culling. The Nolser brass had perfect necks and the primer pocket holes were also all uniform. Good stuff!

07-05-2011, 03:03 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Priming Nolser 300 RUM Brass? It is. Nosler brass in my experience is as good as Norma and Lapua at half the price. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!