Time for a new Lapua 284 case!

[ThunderDownUnder]

Times change and the old F-Open champion 6.5-284 has been pretty much replaced with straight 7mm. The sweet recoiling 140gr, 6.5mm projectile has an even sweeter substitute with the new Hornady Match 162gr 7mm. 7mm affords higher BC bullets from Hornady Match 162gr to Berger 180gr VLDs and with the 162gr Match bullets it is still a low recoil proposition.

The old 6.5x284 could launch the 6.5mm, 140gr VLDs at 3000fps and burn out a barrel in 1000 rounds. The 284W and Shehane variant can launch the higher BC 162gr Match bullets at a lazy 3000fps and the barrel will last for 2500 rounds.

Lapua cases are stuck in the 6.5x284 time warp for the moment while most of us are necking it up to 284. I think it would be great if I could have the Lapua quality case in straight 284W dimension case. What do you guys think?

If Lapua take a look at making production runs of 284W brass, then maybe they could also experiment with using a small rifle primer pocket to ward off the 284W Achilles heel of head expansion, when shooting 180gr bullets.

A small rifle primer may or may not work but we will never know without an industry leader like Lapua trying it out!

Ian

 

[Kyle Schultz]

Kevin Thomas (Lapua USA) told me via PM many months ago that the Finns are well aware of the desire from the F-Class community for a 7mm case. Like you, I'm hoping (and betting) they come up with something new and improved rather than just duplicating the .284 Win.

ps... I bet they come out with a new 7mm bullet at the same time. A complete new cartridge.

 

[CJ6]

The cases would be nice ,But I seriously doubt it'll have a SR primer. I have some of the 308 Palma brass and with ball powders in sub freezing temps I've had some issues (even with mag primers and stick powders)

 

[CZ550]

Time for Lapua 7saum case !!!

 

[sailhertoo]

Time for Lapua 7saum case !!!

BIG +1!!!!!!

 

[FroggyOne2]

+1000

 

[MrMajestic]

+1,000,000,000 ;D

 

[Jeffvn]

I agree with the above sentiment, but my discussion with 2 of the folks at the Lapua booth at this year's SHOT tells me this is not in the works for at LEAST another 2 or 3 years. To say that they were NOT receptive is an understatement.

I do think that you will see a 300 WSM case in the near future. After that, well I'm not sure.

JeffVN

 

[sailhertoo]

:'( Sad days indeed...we need a new president.

Would we have Lapua then?

 

[KevinThomas]

Hey Guys,

message received, and has been passed along to the Finns. The 284 would be a slam dunk for us, and an easy addition to the line. Still, I'd remind everyone that this is primarily a US item, and would be for US sales alone. They've been pretty receptive to our requests in the past few years (308 Palma, 22-250 and 260 cases were all the result of US requests and interest) so it's definately a possibility. But as has already been mentioned here, it'll take some time to get it in the channel if they decide to go for it. I'd recommend against the small primer pockets, too, as I think that's just asking for problems. A 308 size case is about all a small rifle primer can reliably handle, and this much more is trouble looking for a place to happen.

I'll mention it again (of course) but for anyone who makes it out to the SHOT show, stop on by and chat. A word directly from the customer goes a lot further than you might think.

 

[flatlander]

I concur with Kevin's assessment of the small primer pocket. Have been shooting several 6x47 Lapuas since the 6.5x47 brass first became available, and have seen some higher ES & Sd numbers over the chrono with these rifles when the temps drop into the low-40s & below. I'll stick with my old large primer 284 cases, even if for some reason Lapua decided to make a run of 284s with small primer pockets.

 

[bighorn06]

+1 on a Lapua 7 SAUM case. Down load to a 284 or up load to a WSM.

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Hey Guys,

message received, and has been passed along to the Finns. The 284 would be a slam dunk for us, and an easy addition to the line. Still, I'd remind everyone that this is primarily a US item, and would be for US sales alone. They've been pretty receptive to our requests in the past few years (308 Palma, 22-250 and 260 cases were all the result of US requests and interest) so it's definately a possibility. But as has already been mentioned here, it'll take some time to get it in the channel if they decide to go for it. I'd recommend against the small primer pockets, too, as I think that's just asking for problems. A 308 size case is about all a small rifle primer can reliably handle, and this much more is trouble looking for a place to happen.

I'll mention it again (of course) but for anyone who makes it out to the SHOT show, stop on by and chat. A word directly from the customer goes a lot further than you might think.

Kevin, now I know why Lapua are at the top of their game! A manufacturer that listens to its customers needs will always be rewarded with sales. The 284W case and its fire-formed Shehane variant, rewards shooters with great accuracy and long barrel life and with the high BC 7mm bullets will be at the top of the FO ladder for years to come!

I look forward to buying new Lapua 284W cases as soon as you place them on the gun shop shelves.

Ian