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How do you size new .233 Lapua brass for a factory rifle (Kimber)? Can I just expand the necks to straighten them out then neck size?
 
It sounds as though you are using a die with no expander ball. There might be some benefit in neck expanding - then neck sizing, yet I have never expected too much out of unfired brass until fire-formed. If trying to tweak for the best potential first firing - It wouldn't hurt.
 
All Lapua new brass seems to be dimensioned really tight irrespective of calibre. Lubing the inside neck walls and running the expander ball of a conventional die, better still a mandrel type, through is generally a good idea. It also irons out any small flats or dents incurred in packing and shipping.
 
Laurie said:
All Lapua new brass seems to be dimensioned really tight irrespective of calibre. Lubing the inside neck walls and running the expander ball of a conventional die, better still a mandrel type, through is generally a good idea. It also irons out any small flats or dents incurred in packing and shipping.

A good idea if you are using the unfired Lapua brass for shots that matter.

I just stuff a crummy Mil-spec bullet in my new .223 Lapua brass, using the bullet to straighten out the small "wrinkles" then just have a fun day "fire-forming" the cases.

THEN I get serious about brass prep. The brass now fits my chamber and not a single wrinkle. Neck size, trim, maybe even skim cut the case necks for uniformity of thickness.
 
dbaird said:
How do you size new .233 Lapua brass for a factory rifle (Kimber)? Can I just expand the necks to straighten them out then neck size?

The vast majority of all new brass only needs the neck of the case to be run through a neck expander die. Then as amlevin stated the serious case prep work can be done after the first firing.

sinclairexpander350_zps65ab7f4c.jpg
 

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