I stumbled across some new Nosler 264 Win Mag brass. Didn't even know they produced it, paid $90 for 50 cases. In an effort to substantiate whether it fulfilled the claims, I decided to weigh 50 cases each of both Nosler and new Winchester. I also compared reamed, trimmed, and turned Win cases which had been fired - 29 cases, so while not 50, still statistically relevant. These cases were not decapped, so primer weight is part of that variability although I would suspect the contribution to variation is very low. Here's what I found, all weights expressed are in grains and were measured in an RCBS digital Powder Pro scale, which was mastered and verified with calibration weight before and after measurements.
A. Nosler measurement range was 1.1gr. Std deviation 0.285
B. Winchester new brass range was 7.4gr. Std deviation 1.723
C. Trimmed, turned, reamed Winchester fired brass range was 4.4gr. Std deviation 1.020
I did not cc cases, but it appears that the Nosler brass is more uniform. Other observations on the Nosler brass:
A. Primer pockets were flatter.
B. Primer hole size appeared the same.
C. Primer pocket to case head radius was more generous, likely easing primer seating.
D. Necks were about 0.002-0.003" thicker.
Based on the data, the Noslers should be more consistent.
