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Lapua does not drill their flash holes

Grimstod

Machinist, Designer, and Shooter.
So I have no idea why every one says that Lapua drills their flash holes rather than punching them. I would actually like to know why. I listened to the episode where Kevin Thomas for Lapua USA was interviewed on this podcast, Ep8 and in it he clearly stated that they tried drilling flash holes but went back to stamping them. IN short Lapua does not drill their flash holes. They stamp them out with a punch. He talks about it 23min into the podcast episode 8.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reloading-show-personal-armament/id382155000?mt=2

If this is a hot topic please try to keep it civil.
 
I think the misconception comes from when people remove the excess metal from inside the case that comes from stamping the flash hole. When deburring domestic cases all seem to have a bunch of metal hanging in side and Lapua brass does not. I believe that some one must have assumed they were drilled cause they are so clean and smooth inside.
 
All you have to do is look at a flash hole with a magnifying glass or a microscope.
There is no reason to accept anyone's word for it. It is really easy to tell a punched hole from a drilled hole.
I suspect you could give Helen Keller a set of pin gauges and she could tell the difference.
 
I think the misconception comes from when people remove the excess metal from inside the case that comes from stamping the flash hole. When deburring domestic cases all seem to have a bunch of metal hanging in side and Lapua brass does not. I believe that some one must have assumed they were drilled cause they are so clean and smooth inside.
Which is really odd conclusion because if you have a drill and a punch that are both just as sharp the drill will always leave a larger bur.
 
If you find the holes need de-burred, or they are not of uniform diameter,then it's problematic.

If you find the holes do not need de-burred, and are of uniform size, then there is a plethora of other things to obsess over.

Lather, rinse, repeat. :rolleyes:
 
It is really easy to tell a punched hole from a drilled hole.
I suspect you could give Helen Keller a set of pin gauges and she could tell the difference.

A Helen Keller reference, despite her being deceased nearly 50 years now, and I'm betting most forum members -- at least those born after 1970 -- don't know who she was.
 
I think the misconception comes from when people remove the excess metal from inside the case that comes from stamping the flash hole. When deburring domestic cases all seem to have a bunch of metal hanging in side and Lapua brass does not. I believe that some one must have assumed they were drilled cause they are so clean and smooth inside.
I have seen plenty that are not clean inside. I have also seen D shaped holes, which i would think is impossible if drilled. Matt
 
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