20 Vartarg from new Lapua 221 FB

[ratbuster]

I am new to wildcat reloading and am seeking some advice to help me get started with my 20VT. My barrel chamber is .232 and while I have never done it before I know I have to neck turn which I will do with PMA Tool cutting hardware. I am questioning the sizing process as I saw some posts that said if you try to form the neck from 22 to 20 caliber in one pass you will likely get a bulge in the case. Others have said they do not have that problem. Is deforming cases while trying to neck size down .020 at one time to be expected or is it a function something else like weak brass, poor case lubrication or some other issue? I am about to order the Redding bushing die with .226 and .227 bushings for final sizing and am wondering if I should order a bushing about .010 larger and do a intermediary sizing operation to avoid damaging the cases?

Also I have a friend who knows one hell of a lot about machine work, metalluragy, etc. (he's a tool and die maker) who has done precision shooting for years. He told me Lapua brass is soft. I've not heard that before, is that the general consensus?

Thanks all

Phil S

 

[rich44]

I've done it both ways but with Nosler 221 brass, ran it through a 20 VT fl die (hornady) it worked OK but had a little flare outward at the case mouth. Taking down in steps didn't produce this flare.
I also have formed it from LC 13 brass basically the same way Adam Bently posted on here if you do a search its a very informative post.
I haven't tried the Lapua brass wish it would have came out before I formed 1000 cases from LC 13

 

[th82457]

You can size the Lapua with one pass as long as you use a good lube on neck like Imperial die wax and chamfer the inside and outside of neck first. I have formed from Lapua for my VT this way. Lapua brass is not soft, necks are annealed from factory - which helps for this operation. You will definitely need to turn the necks for your chamber size, Lapua case necks are generally thicker than most brands of brass from the factory. I usually size case, then run a bullet diameter expanding mandrel in case, then turn necks, then resize necks before loading - just my process.

Terry

 

[ratbuster]

Would it be best to turn the brass for a .003 clearance in the neck diameter of the chamber?

 

[th82457]

I have a .232 chamber neck and I turn for a .228 neck - with bullet loaded. I get great accuracy & no pressure issues. Just my preference, I would not go less than .002" clearance with a loaded round.

Good Luck and enjoy your Vartarg - it is amazing that this round has not made it to a factory chambering yet.