280AI Hornady vs Nosler

Finally got my barrel and installed and head spaced on my 280 AI build. The Hornady brass/ammo chambers and the bolt closes easy. The Nosler brass/ammo closes like a heavy bolt and even had a couple pieces of new brass where the bolt wouldn't close. On the new brass I'm thinking I can bump the shoulder back but wondering if anyone else has seen a difference in the brass.

I had the same issue. I just bumped the shoulders back a little using my Redding shell holder kit. I kept checking and stopped once the bolt closed easy. I think it is a good thing. Better than it being to sloppy I would think. I was surprised to see my fired brass shorter than my new brass that's when I decided to resize the new stuff.

Thanks for the reply. Let's me know I'm not crazy or didn't screw the pooch somehow. I'll be sure to measure the once fired brass too.

Put a little less than a 1/4 turn after contact on the Redding body die and smooth as silk. The Nosler brass is as nice as Lapua so I guess I didn't expect to have to bump the shoulder.

I'm curious to see how the Hornady and Nosler compare as far as which one can handle the most firings.

I'm interested in fire formed case volume. For my 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady had quite a bit more volume but Lapua and Starline produced better results.

I bought a BUNCH of Hornady brass on sale from Cabela's. Not anywhere near the initial quality or load ready as Nosler. But, after quick run thru the dies it loads and shoots perfectly and exactly as the Nosler. I'll probably never run this enough to see which case goes for more reloads. I'm not that crazy but will be onto some other cartridge to play with before then. Now I AM that kind of crazy...

Norma makes most if not all of Nosler's brass.

I dont think so anymore, I thought they purchased silver state a couple years back.

Were it my choice, I'd go with Nosler brass. Nosler needs only to have the necks checked for dings. I've had several calibers of Hornady brass loosen primer pockets after just one firing, not to mention all the prep work needed.

Dosh said:

Were it my choice, I'd go with Nosler brass. Nosler needs only to have the necks checked for dings. I've had several calibers of Hornady brass loosen primer pockets after just one firing, not to mention all the prep work needed.

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I started with Lapua in .308 and 6.5 Creed and the Nosler is pretty close. I was just surprised I had to bump the shoulder back. I've got a box of 162 gr ELD-X ammo for barrel break in and to compare to the Nosler but I agree I don't think it will get as many firings

Nosler is starting to make more of their own brass, the 280ai is one of them. Its pretty decent brass but am really want ADG to step up here. I would weight sort it for sure. I would also not depend on its first firing, some still have pretty rounded shoulders.

LongWalker, unusual, but with min and max with reamers and case construction, it is understandable. A minimum chamber and a max case did not play well in your situation. You made the right choice, and corrected the problem. I have picked up range cases where some smith's max chamber allowed a separation on firing a min case.

Interesting. I would've asked you which headspace gauge you used before I read this;

https://gunsmithtalk.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/280-ackley-improved-emperical-headspace-test/amp/

Haven't had that experience with Nosler brass myself.

Currently I'm running a comparison of Hornady vs Nosler brass in my .280 Rem. At this point all I can say is Nosler is more consistent OTB.

Don't have my book in front of me, but after weight sorting I ended up with 2 groups of Nosler brass - about 85% was +/-0.5gr.

Sorting the Hornady, I ended up with 4 groups, and at best 30% was +/-0.5gr.