Do you run new Lapua brass through your press?

[Marines1983]

I have found the tolerances on new Lapua brass to be VERY close. Is it necessary to run new brass through your die before your initial firing?

 

[Bill Norris]

I have found the tolerances on new Lapua brass to be VERY close. Is it necessary to run new brass through your die before your initial firing?

It is because some of the case mouths are mal-formed from handling and shipping. And, some would want to have a known amount of bushing/neck sizing to satisfy neck tension.

 

[Zero333]

What Bill said... and besides neck sizing to straighten the necks/mouths, many of us also like to lightly chamfer inside the mouths.

But there is no harm in just loading them as they are.

 

[Hoser]

Always.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Always fl size every piece of brass before you use it

 

[HomeSlice]

Always.

same here

 

[mmcu]

Yes.

 

[KMart]

Yes
And tumble it in walnut media for a couple of hours before you run it through the sizer. It will get the oxidation off the necks that can deal you some misery with the dies and scratches on the necks.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/expander-mandrel-scratched-brass.3979721/

Read post #22

 

[Rtheurer]

Here we go again. Same Question, different week. LOL

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Yes
And tumble it in walnut media for a couple of hours before you run it through the sizer. It will get the oxidation off the necks that can deal you some misery with the dies and scratches on the necks.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/expander-mandrel-scratched-brass.3979721/

Read post #22

This is interesting and timely for me. I just got through sizing and loading some new .308 Lapua brass and a big percentage(not all) we’re getting odd long scratches on the outside of necks. Had this brass for several years before loading, bet it was the oxidation your referring to. I used a extra fine 3M pad to clean the necks up before seating the bullets. Thanks for this information.

 

[bozo699]

Always fl size every piece of brass before you use it

I agree.
Wayne

 

[jepp2]

Is it necessary to run new brass through your die before your initial firing?

On all new unfired brass, I measure case head to datum and compare with my rifle headspace. If the shoulder doesn't need bumped (and it rarely does), I don't see any benefit from running them through a FL sizing die. I do run an expander through the neck, to properly size it, and make them round. Chamfer the inside of the case neck.

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

On all new unfired brass, I measure case head to datum and compare with my rifle headspace. If the shoulder doesn't need bumped (and it rarely does), I don't see any benefit from running them through a FL sizing die. I do run an expander through the neck, to properly size it, and make them round. Chamfer the inside of the case neck.

+1 Do this

 

[Shooter13]

Always fl size every piece of brass before you use it

Yep!

 

[BronzeArcher]

Chamfering is enough for HM scores, so I don't run through a die.

Would resizing add a point or two? Maybe. But 590+ is good enough for me.

 

[AckleymanII]

I size, and put a heavy chamfer on the inside of the case neck, not a de-burr.

 

[T-shooter]

I full size, check the primer pockets and primer hole, expand the necks which doesn't have to be resized again to load, chamfer, and neck turn about .002" larger than my final cut which comes after firing.

 

[PatMiles]

Always fl size every piece of brass before you use it

I anneal every piece before resizing. I have no clue at which point in the manufacturing process the brass was last annealed at the factory. Not going to hurt a thing doing so.

 

[Ned Ludd]

On virgin Lapua brass straight out of the box, neck diameters can be all over the map. I always do the following:

1) check the flashholes
2) open the necks with an oversized expander mandrel (~.001" under bullet diameter)
3) FL size with the appropriate bushing for ~.002" neck tension (interference fit)
4) trim/chamfer

 

[Liven The Dream]

I will 2nd Ned.
I just went thru 400 New 6.5x.284 up to .284. Lapua same lot.
The Flash Holes had burrs on the inside on 40% of the cases.