Norma Brass?

[Eberle]

I was just wanting you reloaders opinion on Norma Brass. I've never used it before, but I ordered 200 of them for my Son's 300 Blackout. How does Norma compare to Lapua or Nosler Brass? If anyone reloads for 300 Blackout, Norma Brass is on sale at Midway right now.

Thanks, Bryan

 

[AKaviator]

I use it in several different calibers, but not 300 blackout. I've always been very happy with it. I'm not a purest enough to say it's better than the other brass but I'd wager that it's just as good.

 

[Eberle]

Thanks Bob

I've heard it was pretty good brass just never tried it.

 

[libidilatimmy]

Norma is pretty good stuff, better than Nosler in my experience as far as durability goes. I use it for a couple different calibers. Both times I've bought Nosler brass, I had to start culling cases from the primer pockets getting too loose after the second firing.

 

[Eberle]

That's good to hear, with the sale price 100 of Norma is cheaper than 50 of the Nosler.

 

[xphunter]

I use Norma or Lapua whenever possible. They are my top two choices for brass, except if RWS is available.

 

[Musket Man]

I got some for my 6.5x55. It looks like very nice brass and I sized and primed it but havent loaded or used it yet.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Norma is good brass. I use mostly factory brass (I like Winchester, Federal and Weatherby) for my bottle neck cases. In pistol I really like Starline brass.

 

[stevevan]

Norma is excellent brass. I like it in 22-250. Can be resized and shot a number of times.

 

[gregw]

Nosler brass is made by Norma with Nosler's headstamp put on. Norma brass is very consistent in tolerances, but many have experience with short case life. Debate may ensue as to whether people were loading to max loads/pressures, but the General consensus seems to be that Norma brass is soft. I bought some "Nosler" blackout brass to play with when BLK was hard to find in General. Have only loaded a few rounds as I am breaking in a barrel slowly between other projects. Can't speak to case life yet.
I am placing a midway order tonight, but will likely order the PNW brass in 300 BLK over the Norma. Sure the Norma is on sale, but it is still $16 more per 100 than PNW. I wouldn't be bummed to have the Norma, I just don't think it is necessary considering I am shooting it out of an AR and not a bolt gun.
that being said , if he is shooting subsonic, he will probably get more case life. Decisions decisions......

 

[gregw]

A friend who is into precise shooting uses Norma in many guns, more recently a 270wsm. He reports incredible accuracy and groups with his loads , but short case life. That being said, he doesn't care because it is for hunting and considers it disposable in that regard and is worth the accuracy to him. I am going to shoot the heck out of the Nosler and PNW with same loads and see who the last man standing is. Either way I'm using my brass catcher when I'm shooting.....

 

[Eberle]

Thanks for the info Gregw. My son shoots supersonic 110 barnes. He killed 5 deer with it this deer season. It is an H&R handi rifle. I was very impressed with it. I turn the big 40 next week on the 13th & my beautiful wife, Amy ordered me 300 blackout in an AR. It is a DPMS, I'm looking at the aac supressors now. Let me know how the PNW brass holds up. I looked at that in bulk supply at midway also. What bullets do you load in yours?

Thanks, Bryan

 

[gregw]

Bryan,

I was going to buy the Norma because it was on sale, then I switched gears wanting to get another 100 rounds. The Norma brass was on clearance for $50.99 on Dec. 20, then dropped to $46.99, now $42.99. The Norma will be great for his AAC. I think the AR is a little harder on the brass.

I have the same DPMS that your wife ordered , the RFA3-300SR. You will like it. Looks great and the upper and lower are tight. You have a keeper of a wife!
So far I have only shot a couple Nosler 125 gr. ballistic tips. I'm ordering some Nosler Varmageddon 110 gr. to do the barrel break in. Cheaper that way as $25.99 per 100 versus ballistic tips that are $20 per 50. Will probably use the ballistic tips to work up loads to load up Nosler Accubonds 125 gr.
I did that with my 300 win mag and those bullets grouped well. The accubonds didn't shot as good as the ballistic tips, but impressive enough that I stopped there. The accubonds have been pretty hard on our Spring bears, but so have the Barnes Triple Shocks, which is basically what the Barnes Tac-X is. The tac x is designed to open up at lower velocities in the BLK range. I will play with the Barnes at some point and stick with whatever groups best. Oh, using H110 so far and it took me over one year to get ten pounds of Accurate 1680.
Talked to the Pro Shop at Nosler last week. He said they have had good success and good feedback from guys using Varmageddon. Should be a good all around plinking round. He said they are in the process of developing a 220 gr. Bullet for subsonic, so keep your eyes peeled.
For subsonics, Sierra Matchkings can't be beat for consistency and accuracy .

 

[Eberle]

Thanks for all the info again. I do have a keeper of a wife, almost 20 years now. I also use H110 and Varmageddon 110 for plinking. Several guys around here use 220 grain Sierra Prohunter RN for subsonic. They use them with suppressors for hog hunting. I'm also a huge fan of nosler bullets. I've shot accubonds for years, also like the triple shocks.

 

[gregw]

A little more info. I emailed PNW last week asking if their brass was cut down 5.56/.223 or if it was new and what the head stamp was. He replied back that it was head stamped PNW and was brand new brass that they were getting "sub MOA" groups with. He referred to it as "high quality brass". My friend I spoke of earlier shot some PNW manufactured 300 BLK ammo, but it was Remington Brass. They may have recently switched over from the RP to their "new head stamped" brass. I emailed PNW back asking him if they made their own brass or if someone else did with their head stamp. Four days later, no reply email.

I called PNW today and asked the gal the same question. She said that their PNW headstamped brass was not manufactured in house. I asked her if another company made it for them. She sheepishly(and understandable) told me that another company made their 300 BLK brass, but said she was not allowed to disclose who the manufacturer was. How ironic would that be if it was Norma. Possibly Remington based on their use of their loaded ammunition?

 

[Eberle]

That would be awesome if it was norma. It very well could be remington. The factory barnes ammo has the RP stamp on it. Remington loads the triple shock in the the hog hammer line of ammo also.

 

[gregw]

An interesting update. I received my PNW brass. there was a paper insert inside the box when I opened it. It explained that neck and other case dings are inherit to the final manufacturer tumbling process and that "Remington" was aware of such minor damage that comes with shipping . Here I was searching high and low for an answer online and dancing with them on the phone and my answer was shipped to me. I don't think either of us are surprised, but it looks good. I will keep you posted on case life. How many grains of H110 are you using with your Varmageddons? 17 grains? And out of which gun?

 

[lostriverproductions]

Its good brass but lapua is better. But I would pick norma over factory brass

 

[gregw]

For me it's not worth paying extra running it through a couple of ARs. Then again, I reload for my .270 and 300 Win Mag with Winchester brass. Certainly not because I think Lapua isn't good, I just never went the extra mile despite being meticulous. I don't shoot match. I know a few animals who didn't and won't ever know the difference. ;-).

 

[Eberle]

Gregw,

I'm using 19 grains of powder & it is out of the handi-rifle. It has 1:7" twist, I'm getting .75" groups at 100 yards. I'm not surprised that remington is who made the brass for pnw. The factory barnes ammo I've looked at have the remington headstamp (RP). I looked at some factory remington umc last week and it had a barnes headstamp. It was actually pretty cheap, 120 grain bullets $16.48 a box at wal-mart.

Lostriver,

Lapua is some awesome brass, it's the best I've ever loaded. I wish they had more caliber selection.