LAPUA CASES 223, 243
- Thread starter jotrot
- Start date
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I've only used .223 Rem cases in both (i.e. can't speak to .243 cases), but the Lapua cases have slightly less internal volume than the Norma cases. The Lapua cases are also slightly heavier on average than the Norma cases. The following numbers are the average for 10 cases selected at random (1X-fired) from recent Lots of each:
Lapua - 30.8 +/- 0.1 gr (water volume), 96.0 +/- 0.8 gr (case weight)
Norma - 31.4 +/- 0.2 gr (water volume), 91.2 +/- 0.2 gr (case weight)
In using the Norma brass, I find the precision/accuracy to be every bit as good as my loads in Lapua brass. The flashholes of the Norma brass need a bit more work up front (i.e. flashing inside the case), but nothing major. Because I run moderately stout loads with 90 VLDs over H4895 in F-TR, I was concerned that the lighter Norma case weight might mean a thinner webbing/casehead. My brass life (i.e. loose primer pockets) with Lapua is already not so great, so this might be an issue. However, I noticed immediately when seating bullets in both brands side-by-side that the Norma neck walls are noticeably thinner than the Lapau. So it's possible that the thinner neck walls and/or case walls may largely account for the difference in case weight, rather than the webbing thickness. I am using a slightly reduced load to fire-form all the Norma cases and I haven't finished yet, so I can't tell you how the primer pockets will hold up to full pressure loads, but they're holding up just fine to the slightly reduced load so far.
Lapua - 30.8 +/- 0.1 gr (water volume), 96.0 +/- 0.8 gr (case weight)
Norma - 31.4 +/- 0.2 gr (water volume), 91.2 +/- 0.2 gr (case weight)
In using the Norma brass, I find the precision/accuracy to be every bit as good as my loads in Lapua brass. The flashholes of the Norma brass need a bit more work up front (i.e. flashing inside the case), but nothing major. Because I run moderately stout loads with 90 VLDs over H4895 in F-TR, I was concerned that the lighter Norma case weight might mean a thinner webbing/casehead. My brass life (i.e. loose primer pockets) with Lapua is already not so great, so this might be an issue. However, I noticed immediately when seating bullets in both brands side-by-side that the Norma neck walls are noticeably thinner than the Lapau. So it's possible that the thinner neck walls and/or case walls may largely account for the difference in case weight, rather than the webbing thickness. I am using a slightly reduced load to fire-form all the Norma cases and I haven't finished yet, so I can't tell you how the primer pockets will hold up to full pressure loads, but they're holding up just fine to the slightly reduced load so far.
Lapua generally has less capacity than the run of the mill brass. When comparing it to Peterson brass this is NOT the case at all.
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