Lapua brass quality

Well after 18 reloads on some Lapua 6BR brass both as 6BR and now reformed as 6mmBRX I'm finally getting some random loose primer pockets. This speaks volumes about their quality as I'm betting the rest will go 20+ reloads or more then fall inline with loose pockets. With this kind of life span the cost is clearly justified. My Winchester 308 brass started going south just about 9 reloads and it was split necks/shoulders and loose primer pockets. I'm currently running some Norma 6BR brass now so we will see how it holds up, seems to be great quality as well.

 

IMO, Lapua brass is the gold standard and pretty much what everyone compares themselves to. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few new brass companies, most other brass just doesn't compare. I generally revolve all my builds off of if Lapua makes brass for it.

 

I am shooting Lapua brass in my 308 and much of it has been fired 14 times and still going.

 

My first batch of SRP Palma brass went 25 firings before things started going wanky. Annealed necks every 4-5 firings.

 

I'm on my 7th reload on my 6.5CM Lapua Brass. No issues whatsoever, so I'm assuming at least 12 reloads from it, if not more. I've reloaded other brass from Remington, Winchester, Hornady and Federal and it does not compare. Lapua is just that good. Whenever I want to expand the collection, I just buy Berger factory ammo and I keep the Lapua brass.

I do have Norma/Prime brass and it is top-notch as well and gives you a large rifle primer option. I have not tried other custom brands (Peterson, Alpha, Starline), but I hear good things about them.

In any event, Lapua is just the king of the mountain.

 

13 x fired zero annealing primer pockets still good.

 

I anneal my brass every 4th cycle but probably because I bought a Bench-source annealing machine to do it easy. I have also run brass in the past a very long time with out ever annealing it. Only thing I ever noticed was it gets harder to trim.

 

Lapua brass, the best of the best

 

I have 140 pieces of 6.5x47L that are on their 27th firing. Primer pockets, necks, shoulders and bases show no signs of giving out. I haven't had to trim them in quite some time. I anneal after every firing.

Lapua for me, thank you.

 

Years back Precision Shooting did a rifle brass longevity test, In the test they used Federal, Remington, Winchester, Norma and Lapua. After the 12th loading the American made brass had all met it's demise. At around the 25th loading the Norma brass had also given up. At the 50th loading of the Lapua brass, the test was called off because the brass had work hardened beyond practical usage. The author of the article said that he felt the test could continue if they had annealed the brass.

 

Speaks a lot about the fit of your brass in your chamber. I've got a chamber (done by someone else) that will open up Lapua primer pockets in 2 firings. Barrel very accurate but...

 

Good Read.
I have a New Build under way. The Shop going to do the Barrel stated My Reamer is for Lapua Brass …..
If I get 10 reloading's I will be Happy .

 

I have a minimum saami short freebore 22-250, but I haven't ordered Lapua brass because I believe it may not fit.

 

I have 55 loading on a set of 30br. No lost cases. Anneal every time.

 

Might I ask if this is the new "blue box" or the old cardboard "gold box" brass ?? Thank you.

 

Newer stuff blue box.

 

Thank you

 

The extraction groove and primer pocket are not in the chamber. IMO if you get loose primer pockets it can only be caused by pressure. The loads may be safe but it's enough to expand the pocket.

 

Like you say theres only one way primer pockets expand and its pressure- whether its in 2 firings or spread out over 20 its up to the reloader

 

"I just buy Berger factory ammo and I keep the Lapua brass"

Exactly what I have done too