Let’s Talk About Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington
For the serious handloader seeking consistent performance without the hefty price tag of pre-prepped brass, the Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington presents a compelling option. Nosler is renowned for quality, and this bulk offering promises that same level of manufacturing precision, albeit in a more raw form. This begs the question: does it deliver on that promise?
I had been looking for a more economical way to feed my custom .260 Remington precision rifle. I was tired of paying a premium for prepped brass when I had the tools and the time to do the work myself. The promise of Nosler quality in a bulk format was precisely what I needed.
Upon receiving the bag, I immediately noticed the uniform color and clean appearance of the brass. The weight of the bag felt substantial, assuring me that I indeed had the 100 pieces as advertised. Initial inspection revealed no obvious defects or damage; a good sign right out of the gate.
I considered other bulk brass options from brands like Starline and Hornady. However, the allure of the Nosler name and the reports of their tight tolerances swayed me. I was hoping for a superior product that would ultimately provide me with tighter groupings.
My initial reaction was cautiously optimistic. The brass looked good, but the real test would be in the loading process and, ultimately, downrange. I was excited to see if it lived up to the Nosler reputation, but I also knew that bulk brass always requires some extra work.
Real-World Testing: Putting Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington to the Test
First Use Experience
My initial testing took place at my local shooting range, under relatively mild conditions: sunny skies and temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I loaded up a batch of rounds using my standard .260 Remington recipe. This included a 140-grain ELD Match bullet and a carefully measured charge of Hodgdon H4350 powder.
The brass resized smoothly and consistently with my Redding dies. Primer pockets were uniform, and the brass trimmed easily to the correct length. I experienced no issues with case neck tension or bullet seating during the loading process.
There were no catastrophic failures. However, I did notice a slightly wider variation in muzzle velocity compared to my handloads using prepped brass. This suggested that case volume consistency, while generally good, wasn’t quite as tight.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks and multiple range sessions, the Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington has proven to be quite durable. I’ve reloaded some cases as many as five times with no signs of case head separation or other significant wear. I anneal my brass after each firing.
The brass cleans up easily in my wet tumbler with stainless steel pins. This restores it to a like-new condition after each firing. The consistent annealing process helps to maintain its integrity.
Compared to my previous experience with mixed headstamp brass, the Nosler brass is a significant improvement in consistency and longevity. It doesn’t quite reach the level of Lapua brass, but it’s noticeably better than other bulk options I’ve used. It gives good performance for the price.
Breaking Down the Features of Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington
Specifications
The Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington is specifically chambered for the .260 Remington cartridge. Each bag contains 100 pieces of unprimed brass. It is manufactured in the USA by Nosler.
The .260 Remington caliber offers excellent ballistic performance for long-range shooting and hunting applications. The 100-piece quantity provides a good starting point for high-volume handloaders. Being made in the USA gives confidence in quality control and material sourcing.
These specifications are important because they dictate the rifle and load data compatibility. The piece count determines the volume of rounds that can be produced. The country of origin speaks to the quality of manufacturing standards.
Performance & Functionality
The Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington performs admirably for its intended purpose: providing a consistent foundation for handloaded ammunition. Accuracy is generally good. It’s capable of producing sub-MOA groupings with careful load development.
The strengths lie in its consistent dimensions and overall quality for bulk brass. The weakness is the lack of pre-processing. This means requiring the user to perform full-length sizing, trimming, and primer pocket uniforming.
It meets expectations for bulk brass. However, it doesn’t exceed them in terms of out-of-the-box consistency like prepped brass would. The extra work pays off if you are willing to put in the time.
Design & Ergonomics
The brass is designed with standard .260 Remington dimensions, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of reloading dies and rifles. The material is a high-quality brass alloy. The overall finish is clean and free of major imperfections.
It is relatively user-friendly. However, it requires a basic understanding of reloading processes and equipment. There is a learning curve for those unfamiliar with case prepping.
Durability & Maintenance
With proper care and annealing, the Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington should provide many reloadings. This makes it a cost-effective option for high-volume shooters. The brass is relatively easy to clean using standard reloading equipment and techniques.
Accessories and Customization Options
Since this is bulk brass, it doesn’t come with any accessories. Customization comes in the form of load development, bullet selection, and optimized case prep techniques. It is compatible with all standard .260 Remington reloading dies and equipment.
Pros and Cons of Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington
Pros
- Excellent value for the price. It offers significant savings compared to prepped brass.
- Consistent dimensions and weight for bulk brass. Provides a good foundation for accurate handloads.
- Durable and reloadable. With proper care, the brass can be reloaded multiple times.
- Made in the USA by Nosler. Offers peace of mind regarding quality control.
- Suitable for a wide range of .260 Remington rifles. It is compatible with standard reloading dies and equipment.
Cons
- Requires full case prep. Users must size, trim, and uniform primer pockets.
- Not weight-sorted. Case volume variations may lead to slight velocity inconsistencies.
Who Should Buy Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington?
This brass is perfect for high-volume handloaders who enjoy the reloading process and are willing to put in the time to properly prepare their cases. It’s also a great choice for shooters who want to develop custom loads for their .260 Remington rifles without breaking the bank. This is especially good for long range shooters.
Those who should skip this product include reloaders looking for convenience and who want to simply load and shoot. Those wanting perfectly uniform, out-of-the-box performance should stick with prepped brass.
A must-have accessory for using this brass is a high-quality case trimmer. Primer pocket uniformer and annealing equipment are also highly recommended for optimal performance.
Conclusion on Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington
The Nosler Bulk Rifle Brass .260 Remington is a solid choice for handloaders who prioritize value and are willing to invest time in case preparation. While it requires more work than prepped brass, the savings are significant. The quality is definitely there.
The price is justified, especially considering the Nosler name and the overall consistency of the brass. It offers a good balance between cost and performance.
I would personally recommend this brass to experienced handloaders looking for a cost-effective way to feed their .260 Remington rifles. If you’re meticulous about your reloading process and enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own precision ammunition, this is definitely worth considering. So get out there, load up some rounds, and see what your rifle is truly capable of!