Brass: Nosler VS Norma??

[finnman]

So I have a new caliber I will be reloading this spring, 7x57 mauser. I looked at the Nosler site and they have 50 ct. brass at $86! So I went to Midway USA, I found Norma brass 100 ct. for $101!!
So the question is this, and I have never used Norma brass, is Nosler brass that much better and is paying $70 more worth it?
I have used Nosler brass in the past but come on really, is it that good???

Thanks!

[JimmyHoffa]

I've thought Norma has been pretty good stuff, maybe best; so if Nosler is better I don't see how it could be by much.  Law of diminishing returns situation possibly.

Oh, and for a little extra work, you can use '06 brass to make 7x57...lot of trimming though.

[elkaholic123]

Just because its more expensive doesn't mean its better   

[finnman]

In life I have experienced the truth of "you get what you pay for" however, in this case(no pun intended) I have no reference for Norma brass. I have used Winchester, Hornady, Federal, Remington, and Nosler. So that is the question, is Nosler worth that extra money or not? Is Norma brass quality right there with Nosler? If so, then it appears your paying extra for the name.
I will say that of all the brass I have worked, so far Nosler has the best stuff.

[Jonathan_S]

Just because its more expensive doesn't mean its better   

In the case of brass, I am pretty convinced that the more it costs, the better it performs. Especially over time

[theleo]

Depends on what you're looking to do. If you're talking bench rest sort of accuracy I'd say go with the Norma as their quality is rite up there with Lapua. For hunting loads I'd go with the Nosler. That being said the Nosler brass is good stuff, it's a few notches higher than Whinchester, Remington.... standard factory brass. 

[j_h_nimrod]

Norma has always been top notch, the best I have used in fact. Nosler has been pretty good, but not better than Norma.  I have run into consistency issues with Nosler a few times but so far not with Norma.

Federal brass has usually been pretty darn good in my experience and last I knew loaded 7x57 so you could have some fire forming/experimental loads for about the price of Nosler brass.

[carpsniperg2]

You cant go wrong with either one of those choices. Both make quality brass.

[bobcat]

I really love Nosler brass. I had always used Winchester until a couple years ago when Radsav gave me a box of Nosler 270 brass to try. Great quality stuff! Don't know if I can ever go back to Winchester brass, although I'll have to for the other cartridges that I load, since I can't afford to buy anything better.

[AWS]

Personally I'd buy  5 boxes of Privi Partisan Loaded ammo for about $80 sand have fun shooting them up and then load them.  I shoot them in my 7x57R and they are very accurate and the brass loads very nice.

And this is with 60 year old rifle and 50 year old 1.5x scope at 100 yards

[NWShooter]

Both are quality cases, the Nosler is the stronger of the two if your looking to load towards the top end. Norma brass is softer than the Nosler and when loaded on the warm side the primer pockets will loosen in the Norma cases before they will with the Nosler cases.

[2labs]

Personally I'd buy  5 boxes of Privi Partisan Loaded ammo for about $80 sand have fun shooting them up and then load them.  I shoot them in my 7x57R and they are very accurate and the brass loads very nice.

And this is with 60 year old rifle and 50 year old 1.5x scope at 100 yards

This or buy some loaded Lapua and have the best! That's what I did for my 6.5 x 55 project.

[jasnt]

It's been my exp that nosler brass is very soft compared to Norma. I had a batch of nosler custom for 243 that blew the primer pockets out first time I shot them with very low charge doing my initial seating depth test, zero pressure signs at all but some of the primers littlerally fell in and out when I tried to reprime. Had no troubles with the nosler 300wm brass. Imo it's not worth the $$!!!! Go with the norma

[skinzner]

Shooters pro shop which i believe is noslers kind of factory outlet store has some brass for a bit cheaper


http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-products/nosler-blemished-2nds/shopby/f/cartridge/7x57%20Mauser/isAjax/1.html

[TVHunts]

I have both and load both and Nosler is much softer to me.  Your paying for the Nosler to come sized, cut to length, primer pockets reamed, chamfered, weight sorted and ready to load.  I don't believe that Norma makes this claim.  Although I find reloading relaxing what's your time worth is the real question more than the quality.  They are both great brass IMO.   

[yorketransport]

Personally I'd buy  5 boxes of Privi Partisan Loaded ammo for about $80 sand have fun shooting them up and then load them.  I shoot them in my 7x57R and they are very accurate and the brass loads very nice.

And this is with 60 year old rifle and 50 year old 1.5x scope at 100 yards

You just wanted an excuse to post a picture of that gun!

I've use both Nosler and Norma brass and most of the time the Nosler has held up better than most other brands in a given caliber. The exception has been my Norma 404 Jeffery brass. That stuff is indestructible!

[mountainman]

I have both and load both and Nosler is much softer to me.  Your paying for the Nosler to come sized, cut to length, primer pockets reamed, chamfered, weight sorted and ready to load.  I don't believe that Norma makes this claim.  Although I find reloading relaxing what's your time worth is the real question more than the quality.  They are both great brass IMO.   

accurate and have to agree..

[paguy]

Weatherby uses norma brass for their factory ammo and I have had quite a bit of it reloaded, never had a problem.

[Bill W]

If it was me I'd just buy Winchester or Remington (from the same lot) and call it good.   A 7x57 is neither a long range or benchrest gun.   I shoot Winchester in my model 70 featherweight and it's good enough.  I've shot this gun since 1984 with Win brass.

If you are prudent handloader you will max out at about 2800 fps with a 140 grain bullet and your maximum distance shot will be less than 500 yards, probably 300 yards and under.  Based on that I recommend Win or Rem brass.

[finnman]

Neither Winchester, Remington or Hornady brass was available in this caliber at Midway or Brownells.
So I settled and ordered the Norma 100 count in a box for $101. I opened the box yesterday and was very surprised at the clean, shiny undented brass! Very clean just like the Nosler brass I have bought.
I look forward to getting this all setup and shooting soon. I received my Meopta meopro 3.5-10x44, nice scope got her mounted with some Warne rings.
And Bill W. you are correct, I do not plan on shooting past 350 yards. I never go hunting expecting I have to lob bullets that far. I always prefer less than 250 on game for safe humane kills. This cartridge will do just perfect at those ranges.

[rudysts]

I use Nosler brass for 280AI, 7Rem mag, 280 Rem. I have also used Norma for 280 Rem. with the Norma I had to prep the brass for uniformity. Nosler was load and shoot. as far as quality they last a long time if you reload smart.

[Forks]

Norma makes Nosler brass. The difference being the Nosler brass is weight sorted before it is repackaged.