I posted yesterday that my 308 Lapua Brass was not shooting accurately. I made a critical and rookie error when loading my Lapua. I did not adjust the Seating Die to the appropriate depth. This is 11 rounds of Lapua at 400 yards, including my dial-in. I know the next time I shoot my groups will be much tighter as I am now dialed in.
My apologies, Mr. Lapua. Rookie Mistake.
- Thread starter Mr Wick
- Start date
How many loads can you do with 308 Lapua Brass before you have to start case trimming?
I had a response last night saying that Federal was not quality Brass. I can see the difference between the two.
I've fired my Ferderal 4X''s. If I'm going to stick with Lapua should should I just junk it?
I had a response last night saying that Federal was not quality Brass. I can see the difference between the two.
I've fired my Ferderal 4X''s. If I'm going to stick with Lapua should should I just junk it?
Last edited:
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
It depends on how hot your loads are, among other things. First, You need to get a loading manual. They will list the maximum case length for each cartridge and some will list a “trim to length.” Then you measure your cases and trim when appropriate.
Do you have dial calipers?
Do you have dial calipers?
The Dillon Handbook, as well as when I measured my magazine, puts me at a COAL of 2.80.
I use Sierra Matchking Projectiles, CCI Large Rifle Primers, and 39.0 grains of Accurate 2495 Powder.
Lapua Brass
Cartridge Length:
Brand New = 2.009
Once Fired = 2.005 - 2.010
Twice Fired = 2.008 - 2.010
I use Sierra Matchking Projectiles, CCI Large Rifle Primers, and 39.0 grains of Accurate 2495 Powder.
Lapua Brass
Cartridge Length:
Brand New = 2.009
Once Fired = 2.005 - 2.010
Twice Fired = 2.008 - 2.010
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
Maximum brass length is usually listed at 2.015”
Trim to length is 2.005”
Trim to length is 2.005”
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I have Lapua 308 brass that is on its 14th cycle now.
Never had any other 308 brass go that distance.
185 Berger Hybrid, more Varget than I am willing to admit and Federal Gold Medal primers.
I have measured chamber length and don't trim as much as others would but the brass gets annealed before every cycle.
Never had any other 308 brass go that distance.
185 Berger Hybrid, more Varget than I am willing to admit and Federal Gold Medal primers.
I have measured chamber length and don't trim as much as others would but the brass gets annealed before every cycle.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
Brass of a given cartridge from different manufacturers can vary widely in terms of the thickness of the webbing, case wall, neck wall, etc. It can also differ in terms of its metallurgical properties; i.e. composition, hardness, etc. Finally, it can differ in terms of the consistency to which it is formed/machined. Each of these properties can contribute what we might think of as the overall "quality" of the brass. Lapua is considered by many to represent the pinnacle of brass technology with good reason.
Although I would agree with the referenced statement that your Federal brass is probably not the equal of Lapua, that does not necessarily mean you can't get the Fed brass shooting well. In some instances, people refer to the "longevity" of a certain type of brass as synonymous to quality. For others, the measure of quality might be "precision". The specific parameter someone uses to gauge the relative quality of a given brand of brass makes a difference. It may well be possible to develop a load with Fed brass that groups as well as the Lapua, but I doubt it will last nearly as many firings. That doesn't mean you should pitch the Fed brass if you already have a load with it that shoots with acceptable precision. Just keep an eye out in case the primer pockets open up, which is often the first and most obvious sign the brass is used up/finished. I know of no reliable method to predict in advance how many firings can be obtained from a Lot# of brass, there are too many variables involved. If you only get 4X firings from it, so be it. But if there are a few more firings left in it and it still shoots well, why throw it out? You have the Lapua brass and it is not going anywhere, it will still be there when the Fed brass is finished. At the pressure(s) I would expect from your load with 39.0 gr of Accurate 2495, it could be there are quite a few firings remaining in the Fed brass. The good news is that regardless of which route you decide, i.e continuing to use the Fed brass or tossing it, you are GTG because you have the Lapua brass in hand. Just be aware that an optimized load in Lapua brass may end up quite different than one worked up using Fed brass.
With respect to trimming, measure your cases and trim accordingly. I trim .308 cases to 2.005". If you wish to let them grow a little longer for your specific chamber, choose your desired case length, measure the cases at the appropriate point in your case prep routine, and trim to that length when they need it.
Although I would agree with the referenced statement that your Federal brass is probably not the equal of Lapua, that does not necessarily mean you can't get the Fed brass shooting well. In some instances, people refer to the "longevity" of a certain type of brass as synonymous to quality. For others, the measure of quality might be "precision". The specific parameter someone uses to gauge the relative quality of a given brand of brass makes a difference. It may well be possible to develop a load with Fed brass that groups as well as the Lapua, but I doubt it will last nearly as many firings. That doesn't mean you should pitch the Fed brass if you already have a load with it that shoots with acceptable precision. Just keep an eye out in case the primer pockets open up, which is often the first and most obvious sign the brass is used up/finished. I know of no reliable method to predict in advance how many firings can be obtained from a Lot# of brass, there are too many variables involved. If you only get 4X firings from it, so be it. But if there are a few more firings left in it and it still shoots well, why throw it out? You have the Lapua brass and it is not going anywhere, it will still be there when the Fed brass is finished. At the pressure(s) I would expect from your load with 39.0 gr of Accurate 2495, it could be there are quite a few firings remaining in the Fed brass. The good news is that regardless of which route you decide, i.e continuing to use the Fed brass or tossing it, you are GTG because you have the Lapua brass in hand. Just be aware that an optimized load in Lapua brass may end up quite different than one worked up using Fed brass.
With respect to trimming, measure your cases and trim accordingly. I trim .308 cases to 2.005". If you wish to let them grow a little longer for your specific chamber, choose your desired case length, measure the cases at the appropriate point in your case prep routine, and trim to that length when they need it.
Save the federal cases for when there may be a chance of losing your brass. Shooting in the high grass or hunting or a primitive range. Protect the Lapua cases. Federal Gold Medal Match is maybe the most accurate factory loaded ammo made and they do that with Federal brass. Federal has claimed to be giving their brass an extra step in the process to work harden the cases and make the primer pockets tougher. Use them till they will no longer hold a primer and maybe you will be surprised at how long they hold up. If an AR 10 is in your future save the cases for it, they throw brass all over and it can be lost easily.
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