New Lapua 6MM B.R. Norma

[Robby]

Having just recently purchased a new Savage dual-port LRPV in 6MM Norma BR, decided to also order 200 new cases of Lapua brass which just arrived.

While at the annual NRA show in Charlotte NC, managed to speak to a couple of reps from Lapua and asked them if I had to full size this new brass before loading for the first time. One of them seemed to think I did, while the other wasn't sure. Has anyone got any thoughts on this as I'd rather not have to do it if not necessary. I do plan on running a mandrel through them as they are too tight necked.

 

[camac]

The main reason to FL size them is to take out the lumps and bumps in the necks. I don't know about the new boxes yet but the old ones used to beat the shells up a bit. If you are going to expand them with mandrel it might should suffice.

 

[kemen4]

I find Lapua brass pretty well finished and consistent (6.5x55). Like you I use a mandrel to open the neck a fraction and remove any travelling dings.

 

[tenring]

I am replacing 40 old .223 brass (Lapua) cases with new Lapua today. I started to measure them for length, and almost all were exactly 1.550, just perfect. Primer holes were checked and those were consistent, did not need reaming.

All I had to do was champfer case mouths in and out, expand necks and neck size them.

If yours is a tight neck 6mmBR, you will need to turn them to fit properly.

 

[Laurie]

+ 1 on simply using a mandrel. Try a few cases for easy chambering and extraction in your chamber too to ensure there is no mismatch - it occasionally happens. Check a selection for length - I've never found a problem with Lapua brass in a total of six calibres, as they're both normally consistent and below SAAMI/CIP maxima, but it's still a necessary check.

Lapua is usually very good out of the box in my experience, but nearly always comes with excessive neck tension. Using the mandrel not only cures any minor bumps, dings, irregularities etc in the neck walls, but opens them out marginally to ease the amount of grip.

Laurie,
York, England