Confusion with Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor Flash-Hole Size

[Conaso]

I just bought two boxes of Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor (200 pieces) brass. Each box, same lot, was marked "4PH6011 6.5 Creedmoor (SR Primer Pocket) Small Flash Hole Ө 1.5mm / 0.059". In anticipation of using this brass I ordered a Hornady Universal Decapping Die and Hornady Small .060 Flash Hole Decap Pins (396326), which have not arrived, anticipating I may need to sand the pins down a little. I wanted to keep this decap die with the 6.5CM dies.

I already use the RCBS Universal Decap Die with small 0.060" pins since I want to keep my other sizing dies clean as possible. Anyway, these RCBS 0.060" pins (measured) readily fits the Lapua 6.5CM flash-holes with room to spare. What gives? My misunderstanding of Lapua flash-holes or small pin sizes?

 

[dstoenner]

Have you mic'd the pins? My standard small hole pins are .057 IIRC and my Whidden sizing dies for 6BR and 6X47 Lapua are .049

David

 

[Conaso]

Have you mic'd the pins? My standard small hole pins are .057 IIRC and my Whidden sizing dies for 6BR and 6X47 Lapua are .049

David

Well, I figured out I screwed up the .059" flashholes on my Lapua brass. I used a Lee Collet Sizing Die to try out later and although I sanded down the decap pin to .058", I probably didn't sand it down enough the last 1/16". I then used it to ensure the case necks were round and chamfered them. Won't make that error again, I snapped off LCD decap pin and sanded it down flush. Lesson learned. Luckily, I don't compete and this will be my first 6.5CM. Geez, I feel like a dumba....

 

[MSS]

Well, I figured out I screwed up the .059" flashholes on my Lapua brass. I used a Lee Collet Sizing Die to try out later and although I sanded down the decap pin to .058", I probably didn't sand it down enough the last 1/16". I then used it to ensure the case necks were round and chamfered them. Won't make that error again, I snapped off LCD decap pin and sanded it down flush. Lesson learned. Luckily, I don't compete and this will be my first 6.5CM. Geez, I feel like a dumba....

You do have to grind it down further than you think but it does work great once you do that. I had to keep going back and back to get it right. Don’t feel bad, it’s hard metal.

 

[Conaso]

I found my Lapua brass flash-holes were not a badly damaged as I thought. It won't happen again, I completely ground down the pin on the LCS die. For decapping the brass in the future I'm using the Hornady Headed Decapping Pin Small .055" (396618).

 

[Kel]

If you decap separately with the Hornady dies, I take it you removed the depapping pin from your Whidden dies? thks

 

[Conaso]

If you decap separately with the Hornady dies, I take it you removed the depapping pin from your Whidden dies? thks

I could but saw no need. I vibrate w/walnut to clean/polish, decap, then use Lyman Prep Ctr brush to clean primer pocket. Finally, I vibrate in water, dish soap, and LemiShine. Extra steps but I don't care.

 

[Joe Salt]

Did you deburr the inside of the flash hole first. Can't understand what else it could be.

Joe Salt

 

[Laurie]

There is another current thread on this very subject on the AS Forum in which people note that 'Blue Box' Lapua small flash-hole examples have apparently 'grown' since 'gold box' days. 0.062" is what people say they measure now.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/lapua-br-flash-hole-is-062-not-059.4014997/