Lapua & Norma Brass

[ordnancemarine]

Lapua is the best. Expect the best. If you have problems with Lapua brass it's something your doing. Just keep everything consistent and you'll get many reloads out of them. Remember to anneal them after a few reloads. Either by yourself or send them off to be annealed.

 

[Shynloco]

I agree that Norma is getting underrated. It is a bit softer but I find it very consistent and use it for match loads as well as Lapua. I find the Norma does not really need to be annealed whereas Lapua needs it every forth firing or so (have had consistent neck cracks with Lapua .243 after four firings without annealing).
Just my experience.

Watercam,
Not taking exception with what you are enperiencing, but I have never heard or seen Lapua brass doing what you have described. If you read my post, I've had reloadings in the teens (two sets of brass - 17th and 14th reloads) using Lapua brass in my 6mmbr and they have only rarely had shoulders needings bumping, but have never even been in a Full Length Sizing Die. Now admittedly, I 've only been reloading my own ammo for around three years, but it is hard for me to believe its the Lapua brass causing those neck cracks. I claim no expertise, but something sure doesn't sound right if you are having to anneal your brass after every four firings. Just my thoughts and no offense meant.

 

[bozo699]

I use Lapua in 4 different rifles, and love it for its uniformity, I don't believe Norma gives up very much either, I am using Norma brass in 2 hi intensity calibers (Swift and 6AI) and it holds up very well also. You can't go wrong. When I am contemplating a new build now, I go and look at the offerings from both and decide from there. Win and Rem brass are too much work and time to make them work well. I want to be shooting, not working at the reload bench.

Frank

I agree with Frank, there both excellent choices. There is a third choice though,....don't overlook RWS if it is available, its every bit as good as Lapua or Norma, I use it exclusively in my .300wm
Wayne.

 

[Deton8tor]

Thanks to all that have responded. Lapua is making a .260 brass, which I am trying to find. Graf & Son stock it, bit it is OOS.
Currently using Nosler and Remington. Nosler is good, but due to dimensions it cuts into the powder a bit. no big deal. Remington has been ok thus far. Have had a couple of lose primers, but only a few out of 200 or so.

 

[Larryh128]

Only makes sense that Lapua brass might need to be annealed more than Norma. It's harder to start with so it's not getting any softer.

 

[mikecr]

Shynloco
First, I applaud your approach.
Your brass lasts because you run with moderate enough pressures to minimally size, and that's what you do.
But this is the reason your brass is so stable, and not the brass itself.
Your approach could make any brass last in the right chamber.

Now, get into high pressure loads & FL sizing with various brass brands, and the situation gets different than yours.