Nosler 338 LM brass issues

idaho1

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 10, 2011
379
3
62
North Idaho
Does anyone here have any experience with Nosler 338 LM brass. I have had good luck with it in .260 but cant say the same for .338 LM.
I have been working up a load for my new DTA 338 LM and have encountered the following issues.

Loose primer pockets using CCI 250 LRM primers. Some have blown with relatively light loads (88 gr of retumbo, 280 grain bullet seated to SAMMI). others have literally fallen out after seating in virgin brass. Perhaps its the primers, as I have not mic'ed them.
Accuracy is variable too. I have been experiencing an "unusual" number of fliers too.
I realize their are a lot of variables but was wondering if anyone had experience, positive or negative regarding Nosler 338 LM brass.
 
I never tried the Nosler brass. The cost wasn't enough less than Lapua to make it worth trying and its a lot more than Privi or Hornady so its in a bad spot pricewise. I've found the Lapua brass to be top notch and after 7 firings with reasonably warm loads its still going strong. Accuracy is great. Even the hornady and privi brass are doing well and are less than half the cost of Lapua. I've gotten many reloads (6 or more) from both of these "cheapies" and accuracy is good with them too. No issues with primer pockets in any of them and 93gr of retumbo is not an unusual load in them with the 250 SMK. I've cracked some necks after enough reloads but never lost a primer pocket. It sounds like you need to contact the manufacturer to see if that particular lot is suspect.

Frank