I have some nice new Nosler .30-30 brass that I want to convert to 8.15x46R.  I've made .32-40 from Winchester .30-30 brass by just running a well lubed case up in a .32-40 die.

I thought for these I would use the expander ball in my .32-40 dies to open up the case mouth first, then run them into the 8.15 die to shape the body for fireforming.

Is the factory Nosler brass soft enough to do this?  Or is it more like Starline and needs to be annealed first?

Thanks

Sometimes it's better to anneal afterwards to avoid wrinkling the cases. They may work harden, but annealing after they're formed will be less chance of this.

Smoke,
My only experience with Nosler brass has been with their 9.3x74R and I've been only going up in diameter.  First was to the 38-72 and recently to the 44-85.  I've pushed both ways - annealed and not- I really expected some loss on the cases with splitting- knock on wood- haven't had any issues at all!  Annealed and lubed they go real nice, non-annealed and lubed they go with more resistance but no issues.  Definitely anneal after working it - if you are fireforming afterwards they fill out far better that way.
Greg