Lapua brass life for 223 bolt action updated and edited

[Laurie]

I suspect running the higher node makes a difference, even if only a very small difference. A point or two is often enough to make the difference between winning and not winning. Nonetheless, it hurts every time I buy a new case of Lapua brass.

Yes, no doubt if you shoot F/TR seriously these days, every last point and 'V' ('X' to you) counts and you do notice the gain of that extra 75 fps or so MV over a series of matches. It's the difference between one of those frustrating days where there are few Vs and a lot of 5-ring (10-ring US) 'linecutters', but those that miss the line barely fall outside, and those gratifying tricky-wind days when a worrying number of shots are on the line or barely in, but when 20 rounds have gone downrange and you breathe a sigh of relief (and marvel at your luck) that they nearly all fell right-side of the line. This may be more marked / noticeable for us in the UK (and Canada) with our pairs/trio shooting with more opportunity for wind changes between shots than in string-shooting.

 

[Hohn]

I measured 24 of my once-fired Wolf Gold cases last night (made in Taiwan) and the weight SD in 24 cases was 0.4775gr. Average of 93.09gr. The ES (for those that care) was 2.16gr.
Compared to the list of cases on the 223 cartridge guide, this would put the Wolf as 3rd best, Behind Lapua and Hornady. There were 3/24 that skewed especially high (94.22gr) so those could be culled and drastically improve the SD.

I've been very, very impressed with the apparent quality of the Swiss-made GECO brass (made by RWS/Ruag). I have 500rds on the way (eventually) and intend to recycle that brass and take some weight data from it.

I also have 500rd of Lapua loaded .223 coming that will furnish my Lapua brass. I expect to settle on either the Geco/RWS brass or Lapua depending on what I find as a shot and recycle the 500rds of each.

The Geco case heads are laser printed instead of headstamped, and have a near-mirror finish on the faces. It's hard to describe, but they just look like a level of refinement I've not seen on any other .223 brass.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

You've definitely got my attention, Nick. I ran your numbers through the Berger stability calc and they came in at 2.42. I was blown away!
Your load is just under the Hodgdon published starting load which flies in the face of all that advice I've read to "go faster". But as you say, close range has its own preferences.

I'm going to have to reset my thinking now. I've always been curious about loading to a lowest node, but in the process seemed to have fallen victim to the "faster is better" mindset.

Just when you think you have all the marbles, someone comes along and kicks your can....LOL

This load is about .06 grs below max in the Berger book. Now Berger usually recommends a lighter load than others using their bullets. When working up a load, I always use the numbers from the bullet manufacturers book or site. They make the bullets and it seems to me their tests are the most valid. Using this load, if I do my part, every target is a ragged one hole group at the least. I would estimate the average group is .250 and many less. Of course under optimum conditions the groups get smaller.