prepping lapua brass
- Thread starter RW
- Start date
Lapua brass is pretty darn good! I, too, at least check it but my experience with three different calibers (.308. 6.5/284, .243) is that their necks need just the slightest of outside turning. I do not bother weighing more than 20% of a box (really never had a problem but...), flash holes are fine as is, as are the primer pockets. Very consistent weights. In short they are worth the money. Frankly I have had great luck w/ Norma as well though they are a tad softer. I find that Lapua .243s need annealing after three firings to prevent cracks. The Norma brass does not seem to need that but I find they tend to 'stick' in the chamber a bit (i.e. show pressure signs earlier than other brands).
It all depends upon your accuracy requirements. For XC domestic brass works - you may want to weight sort for the 600 yd. line. For Long Range and Bench Rest, you may toss up to 30% of your cases due to weight variances and spend time uniforming primer pockets, turning necks, etc.. A one time per batch session at your bench to be sure but it does take time and you will be doing it every time you replace brass.
It all depends upon your accuracy requirements. For XC domestic brass works - you may want to weight sort for the 600 yd. line. For Long Range and Bench Rest, you may toss up to 30% of your cases due to weight variances and spend time uniforming primer pockets, turning necks, etc.. A one time per batch session at your bench to be sure but it does take time and you will be doing it every time you replace brass.
I have found lately that the quality of Lapua brass has gone down the toilet. The last 4 batches (Different lots, and calibers.) I have gotten all have had junk in them. To start, closely inspect the cases, I have a couple of Lapua cases that was double stamped on the back, and have strange primer pocket. Closely inspect the shoulder area, I have had many cases that have a fold in the brass right at the shoulder junction, from the case body. I have also had some horrible looking flash holes in the last bunches of Lapua brass. I wish there was a way to get a hold of Lapua, because I feel they owe me a few cases. (There prices have sure whent up, and the quality has gone down. Some brass I am paying over a buck a case, and to have them right out of the box junk is a pure shame.)
After inspecting them, I neck trim, uniform the primer pockets, I try not to touch the flash holes unless I absolutely have to. I fireform them, and then length trim them. I uniform the primer pocket after every firing.
After inspecting them, I neck trim, uniform the primer pockets, I try not to touch the flash holes unless I absolutely have to. I fireform them, and then length trim them. I uniform the primer pocket after every firing.
82boy,
Drop me a line and let me know about it. If there's a problem, we're happy to make it right.
Drop me a line and let me know about it. If there's a problem, we're happy to make it right.
KevinThomas said:
Thats good customer service. No questions, no fuss. Just a problem made right!
Sean,
No, that's just good timing! Just happened to be on line when he posted.
No, that's just good timing! Just happened to be on line when he posted.
Outdoorsman,
Words of wisdom here. Good advice for all to follow.
Words of wisdom here. Good advice for all to follow.
I've had good luck just popping open a box and running my neck expander die into the brass and loading it.
The case necks are so easily dented that you can't help but get some that are out of round. I just true them all up and get nice neck tension right out of the box. Caseneck rounout has been good out of the box too.
I'm new to precision and haven't started turning necks yet...
The case necks are so easily dented that you can't help but get some that are out of round. I just true them all up and get nice neck tension right out of the box. Caseneck rounout has been good out of the box too.
I'm new to precision and haven't started turning necks yet...
The last batch of 100 Lapua cases in 6.5 x 47 that I received several of the cases had bugles at the junction of the shoulder and the case body sever enough that the case would not chamber in my MOA pistol. I was able resize them enough to get the breech to close fully and fireform them. I was just very suprised to see that issue with lapua brass.
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