Information needed on 284 win

[campby]

Please excuse my ignorance. I am looking to build a 284 straight win for competition. My problem is understanding the brass and dies required. If I use Lapua 6.5-284 and neck up what caliber dies do I use and are they standard? I have been told the Lapua dimensions are different than Winchester brass? I thought I could just use standard 284 win dies to size body, neck etc. I do plan on using Lapua brass. I realize that the reamer I choose should better match this brass? Please advise.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

You will use 284 Win dies after necking the 6.5-284 up. Depending on how you like to reload, Redding has a type S dies that seems to match up with the PTG reamers.

As for reamers, yes, you will need to specify which brass so the case head dimension is set appropriately. PTG sells a 284 Lapua/Norma reamer that works quite well for Lapua brass.

 

[campby]

Thanks for the polite response. This is what I originally thought. But of course after talking to other people they said the Lapua brass would not fit a standard .284 die. I currently use Redding 3 set type S dies and have had great success. I like to use the separate FL body die along with the neck bushing and the bullet seating die. I will still do my regular process of prepping brass making neck turning a part of this as well. Thanks again.

 

[lawrence97]

If you are going to use lapua brass, make sure the reamer you use is for that brass because there are differences between lapua and winchester brass. Another thing to consider is a no-turn neck reamer or a tight neck which involves more time turning necks!

With lapua 6.5x284 brass, all you need is an expander mandrel (7mm mandrel), use a .284 win die of your choice (whidden gunworks, Forster, redding or hornady), load and shoot.

 

[campby]

A quick follow up. If the reamer should be different, then why do the standard dies work for both Winchester and Lapua brass?

 

[brxbrad]

If you are looking for a reamer design that will allow you to shoot 180 Sierra's, Hybrid 180 Berger's, and VLD's, Dave Kiff assured me that this is the one you need. I use it and love my rifle....
See attached....
I use Lapua Brass necked up and turned using K&M products. I size with the S-type Redding die and shoot VLD's with 4831SC and Tula LRM primers and seat with the Forster Micro seating die. All of which can be found at Midway, Powder Valley or Bullets.com etc. Of course powder is always the tough item to find......
Good luck