new lapua brass, FL or neck size?

bsand

bsand

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Well just got my 4 die set from x reload an 100 lapua brass. 308 and 200 Sierra matchking bthp 175gr projectiles. Also acquired 1000 federal match lr primers and 1 lb varget. I also have 80 once fired federal gold medal match cases. I've read both Lee 2nd edition and Lyman 49th on reloading. Just wondering what you all would do?

Should I FL resize the lapua or necksize? What about once fired?
 
For the new lapua brass you should be ok to just load it. Fireform to your chamber then neck size only. With the once fired, i would full length size it then do the same as lapua (unless it has already been sized). This is assuming that this is for a bolt gun of course.

Oh, and trim the length as needed

Others may have a different opinion.
 
Is fire forming shooting it once?


Remington 700 5r. 308 24" barrel factory action timney 510. Cadex field strike chassis zeiss conquest hd5 5-25x50 Harris sbrm
 
My last batch of Lapua 308 had a bunch that were tight chambering out of the box. No harm in fl sizing first then fire form (yes, this is the first firing where the brass "forms" to the chamber) then neck size.
 
Neck size your once fired brass. As far as the lapua, toss a couple in the gun and see how they chamber. If no issues then I would load them, if stiff try neck sizing a couple and try again. Not sure how hornady compares to lapua out of the box, but my 308 brass didn't need anything so I just loaded them up
 
I didn.t have to do anything to lapua brass to load,I did find the necks were a little tight on first load but I was fireforming and testing new gun so 100 rds goes quick Also load with 210m they are very snug in the primer pocket(lapua) 42grs of Varget with Amax 168gr
You will notice a big difference in primer seating between rem gold brass and Lapua They will also use different powder charges the case capacity of lapua is less than rem So it like working up 2 different loads I would use the lapua brass first put the rem on the shelf
You should be able to get 4 reloads(neck sizing only) before you have to fl size or better yet body size(redding body die) the lapua
 
Oh my, the federal gold medal match cases are all 0.005" over max case length.. The lapuas are 2.010" exact. They feel so much heavier than federal like complete league of their own! Im not going to play with them until the federals ill load turn out good! Also how much chamfer and how much deburring? I usex to be a plumber and for us more reaming than less.
 
I would full length size them the first time just to keep everything consistent, and then neck size.
You probably will have to full length size again if accuracy starts to drop off with neck only sizing.
 
bsand said:
Oh my, the federal gold medal match cases are all 0.005" over max case length.. The lapuas are 2.010" exact. They feel so much heavier than federal like complete league of their own! Im not going to play with them until the federals ill load turn out good! Also how much chamfer and how much deburring? I usex to be a plumber and for us more reaming than less.
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You don't need much chamfer or debur. Just enough to take off the rough edge. What are you using for a trimmer?
 
kawicrash said:
I would full length size them the first time just to keep everything consistent, and then neck size.
You probably will have to full length size again if accuracy starts to drop off with neck only sizing.
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Will do, i figured the once fired would be OK with necksizing. Since its been fireformed to my chamber.

laker415 said:
You don't need much chamfer or debur. Just enough to take off the rough edge. What are you using for a trimmer?
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The kit that came with the lee challenger 50th anni, the one you have to buy the shell holder and guide pin for. It cuts to 2.070"
 
What are your opinions on using a comparator to decide either 1. What to set your FL die to for a slight shoulder bump, or 2. When to FL resize to bump the shoulder after X number of neck sizings??

Thx.

-J.
 
You'll need two separate loads for the brass your using.

Run the new Lapua brass over your expander ball at least.

Neck size the federal as it's been fired in your rifle already.
 
I always run it all through the full length die with expander ball to make sure all the necks are round, easy for a few in any box to get dinged out of round. Doesn't take long to do and peace of mind.
 
Lapua brass is good to go out of the box.

supernove states: "My last batch of Lapua 308 had a bunch that were tight chambering out of the box. No harm in fl sizing first then fire form (yes, this is the first firing where the brass "forms" to the chamber) then neck size."

Your chamber is too small as all Lapua brass is designed to function without sizing in minimum CIP/SAAMI chambers. FL sizing in this case may enable it to be chambered but you will run into problems as the brass will be "oversize" for your chamber.

Regards,

Peter
 
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Hey guys, another question! I have sized/decapped, trimed to, 2.070", primed with federal match, charged 43.5gr varget and seated sierra mk 175gr bthp in 20 rounds to 2.800". Everything was double and triple checked, everyting looks good but there is a light ring around the bullet tip.
I have only started on the federal cases so far, figured I'd make sure I know what I was doing before playing with a buck a case cases.


 
that ring is from the bullet seater, you may have to chamfer the necks of your brass a bit more so the bullet starts into the case a bit easier
 
I would have to disagree based on the fact that it was a handful of cases out of 100, and bumping the offending shoulders 1 thou eliminated the problem. I know damn well you know your stuff Peter but I am confident a few cases were a little out of spec. It's a factory rifle that chambers all factory loads and fl sized cases without resistance.

peterdobson said:
Lapua brass is good to go out of the box.

supernove states: "My last batch of Lapua 308 had a bunch that were tight chambering out of the box. No harm in fl sizing first then fire form (yes, this is the first firing where the brass "forms" to the chamber) then neck size."

Your chamber is too small as all Lapua brass is designed to function without sizing in minimum CIP/SAAMI chambers. FL sizing in this case may enable it to be chambered but you will run into problems as the brass will be "oversize" for your chamber.

Regards,

Peter
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