Lapua brass question

[Mark204]

This specifically for .260 Lapua brass, since I shoot or use neither. A guy I know told me bought some Lapua brass and he states "others" have said they're getting a dozen plus firing per case. Seems like a lot, so I had to ask. I'm sure if they are they certainly annealing, (which this guy doesn't, he's pretty new to the game), I asked him if he anneals his case, he looked at and said, "Do what to my cases".

So before I called BS, I wanted to throw it out here and see if my skepticism in getting 12 plus firing out of Lapua brass is correct. My instinct says no way, but I've been wrong plenty in my life.

Thoughts?

Mark

 

[mrjdasr]

This specifically for .260 Lapua brass, since I shoot or use neither. A guy I know told me bought some Lapua brass and he states "others" have said they're getting a dozen plus firing per case. Seems like a lot, so I had to ask. I'm sure if they are they certainly annealing, (which this guy doesn't, he's pretty new to the game), I asked him if he anneals his case, he looked at and said, "Do what to my cases".

So before I called BS, I wanted to throw it out here and see if my skepticism in getting 12 plus firing out of Lapua brass is correct. My instinct says no way, but I've been wrong plenty in my life.

Thoughts?

Mark

I have lapua brass for my 6brx that have 45 to 50 firings on them
and I do not anneal
the primer pockets wear out from seating new primers on most scrapped brass

 

[Puzzaz01]

I've gotten 18 reloads out of a batch of Lapua with out annealing. That's when the necks started cracking off at the shoulder. I will generally reload a certain batch/lot about 10-12 times before I throw them into pile. Then that pile is used for a semi auto or a hunting rifle or just given away.

Darrin

 

[Dusty Stevens]

No problem getting way more than 12. Winning matches is a different story. Nothing shoots like new brass

 

[Puzzaz01]

No problem getting way more than 12. Winning matches is a different story. Nothing shoots like new brass

Two thumbs up on that!

Darrin

 

[ShootDots]

When I was in Texas and had my first .260A.I., I used Lapua .260 brass. I had prepped and fireformed 200 pieces strictly for F-Class matches. That brass lasted me thru 3 barrels. The ONLY reason I went to the .308 S/R "Palma" brass is because out here in Arizona, during the Spring and Summer it gets very hot here and no way of escaping the direct sunlight at Ben Avery. Barrels really do not cool down. This caused pressure and I was getting very sticky bolt lifts. The brass had grown at the base to the point where "sticky bolt lifts" were all too common. I went to the Palma brass and it eliminated that problem. Had I been able to get out of the sun and cool the barrels off, I believe that I may still be using that L/R primer brass and I am on my 6th .260A.I. barrel.

 

[Delfuego]

It's the primer pockets on the Lapua 260 that don't last. That, and the trimming, always hated the trimming...

 

[dstoenner]

It's the primer pockets on the Lapua 260 that don't last. That, and the trimming, always hated the trimming...

I was at 7 loadings on my 260 lapua cases and the primer pockets were still tight. But then I wasn’t shooting heavy loads. And I had shot most of my second barrel up at the end of last match season. I decided to change to 6x47 lapua in order to save on my body.

David

 

[Sniper338]

I anneal everytime and will hit 12 Im sure. Im on 8 reloads I think and no signs of any issues yet.

 

[chromatica]

I loaded 260 using Lapua brass for about five years. I have brass that has been reloaded 15x and probably more. I never experienced loose primers and that might be because I decapped before tumbling so I didn't have to employ a primer pocket uniformer over and over. I got into the habit of annealing after every 5x. I still haven't worn out that brass.

I switched to Hornady brass because Lapua brass was binding at the neck in my chamber.

 

[rwj]

No problem getting way more than 12. Winning matches is a different story. Nothing shoots like new brass

I’ve heard this stated multiple times from those that shoot competitively, any notions as to why shooting new brass is better?

 

[Eric Leonard]

with proper neck dimensions and the right size bushing I believe Lapua 6.5x47L brass will last forever,,

 

[Puzzaz01]

I’ve heard this stated multiple times from those that shoot competitively, any notions as to why shooting new brass is better?

Neck tension is very consistent and repetitive for the first few reloads with minimal work required.

Darrin

 

[KevinThomas]

The factory answer here is basically yes. Lapua expects their cases to be good for at least ten loading/firing cycles assuming that you’re not overworking the brass during resizing (i.e., not bumping the shoulder back excessively) and that you’re loading within the SAAMI or CIP pressure limitations of that particular cartridge. No, they don’t guarantee anything on this simply because they can’t; too many variables involved here that they have no control over, so that parts on us, the handloaders. But it’s good stuff, no two ways about it. Best in the business.

 

[mikecr]

It's the primer pockets on the Lapua 260 that don't last. That, and the trimming, always hated the trimming...

Both stem from the same causes; excess chamber clearance near webs, and/or insufficient breech support for load, and excess sizing.
Annealing would do nothing for this, nor for case life in general, provided there are NO excess clearances, and NO excess sizing. That is, with a good plan, you won't actually 'have to' anneal.

Don't seek long brass life with brand. It can only be achieved with understanding and a plan for this.