Lapua .308 case head problem

[Joe R]

Hi Guys,
I bought 500 cases from Bruno's and I'm just starting to use Lapua 308 brass. Loading the first 50 cases and I've found 3 of them don't fit in T-slot of the Hornady shell holder used by my priming tool. I've even tried to put a little lube on it, but the case rim seem just a little too tick to fit in there. I've used the priming tool and shell holder on several thousands Federal and Winchester brass without any problems. What gives? Three out of 50 does not bode well. Anybody else have this problem? What do you do about it?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[jonbearman]

Try a different shell holder otherwise just take a dremel and lightly grind the lip of the shell holder.I have had this happen with a lot of different types of brass and it comes down to how they cut the extractor groove in the brass and as their tool wears it makes the diameter swell slightly causing this problem.

 

[fm1947]

jonbearman +1 I've had to do that also, redding has the best fitting shell holder , IMO

 

[Joe R]

jonbearman, fm1947,
Thanks for your quick reply. One more question.

This is really my first experience with virgin brass. Previously my brass originated as FGMM ammo, so it was fire formed from the beginning. This Lapua has the shoulder set 6/1000s lower than my dies, so resizing was a waste of time. I turned the necks to 14/1000s and I've reloaded 10 (5 rounds each) different loads as I was planning on using my chrono to get same data on velocity and accuracy. Now that I've checked runout I can truly say that these are the worst hand loads I've ever seen/done. I assume this is all related to the fact that there was really no resizing, and that after they are fire formed things will improve. Does that make sense?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[M99]

You're on the right track. With any bottle neck type of cartridge, nothing really counts until you have fire formed the brass to your own firearm / reamer. Until that point, its not much different then firing off the shelf production ammo of one type or another.

 

[Jdne5b]

I have the same issue you describe with my Hornady shell holder and Lapua .308 brass.

 

[fm1947]

yes, Joe R lapua brass load and shoot for the first time then size from there. ,

 

[jonbearman]

Once you fire them they will straighten out providing your chamber was done right. If you have .006 thou headspace you can use a lighter load and seat the bullets till they touch and it will help to form them better and the primer will stay seated through the firing event.