Lapua vs Lake City Brass

[BamaAl]

Got a question. I just got in my first 200 pieces of Lapua brass. I've been shooting Lake City. Had a good load with the Lake City for 308. Here's my question, or two.

I could swear I read somewhere on here (but can't find the post now) that the powder charge wouldn't change much, if at all, between the LC and the Lapua because they both have thicker cases. But for something like Federal the charge would be a few tenths of a grain more because Federal has thinner cases. Is that true? I'm shooting a match next weekend and don't have time to work up a new load between now and then. I'm hoping I can get away with the same load I worked up with the Lake City and use the Lapua. Or should I just load up the Lake City and wait on using the Lapua until I have time to develope a load for it? Or am I just being OCD?

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I'm not sure about LC commercial .308, but LC mil-surp 7.62 cases are about the same or maybe slightly more volume than Lapua.

 

[cpatbay]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

Military brass is thicker and hence would have higher pressure given the same amount of powder. So, yes, to achieve the same pressure and hence ballistics, you increase the powder charge a bit for the thinner commercial brass.

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I've not had very much luck switching from one brass manufacturer with a known worked up load to another and had the rifle shoot both equally well with the same load. This issue is related to why new handloaders think they can shoot mixed headstamp brass (in rifle) and figure out they just can't and have acceptably accurate ammunition. The closest I've come to this is working up a load and switching the bullet without ill effect. I've done this between 208amax and 210vld and have same ballistics generally and same poi.

If you have the time this week, you could load up the first 20 in lapua and compare it to the lake city. I'd bet on it being different in terms of velocity and poi. Myself, I wouldn't go there, particularly if your worked up load was toward the upper end of pressure. Its hard and usually impossible to avoid doing the work necessary to work up a load for your particular components.

Your lake city load is a known quantity and I assume fireformed to your chamber, I'd go with that and do the load development work the lapua brass deserves when you have time and when it will not potentially totally screw up your match.

Good luck!

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass


My Lake City 91 308 brass has significantly less internal volume than Lapua and because of that I use just about 1-1.5 grains less powder. This brass is older, before federal took over so internal volume may have changed from what I have.


Now in the 223 the volume is nearly the same for both.

 

[BamaAl]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I guess I'll have to try to squeeze in some testing early this week so I have time to load enough rounds for the match this weekend. Damnit, you people are just twisting my arm off making me go to the range in the middle of the week instead of coming home after work and checking off honey-do chores.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

Use what you know.

okie

 

[jkonzal]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I absolutely agree with okie!!! Don't be in a hurry to use your new brass. Get thru your match with what you have and know, then take the time to develop loads with the Lapua brass. Haste makes waste!!!!!
Good luck at the match!!!

Jim

 

[TRAAV]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I wouldn't want to take brand new lapua brass to a match anyway. I can never seem to come home with with more than 75% of them at best.

 

[sinister]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

Lapua brass used to be damn near perfect. Lake City brass is good, relatively cheap, and easy to get.

Lots of Camp Perry 1,000 yard shooters use Lapua even in their M14s (I was shocked but was told the X-count was undeniable).

If you have the experience and ability to win, Lapua might tip the scales. If you're concerned with losing brass shoot Lake City and don't worry.

 

[waste_knot]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

Can't you just measure the water weight for each lot of brass and get the volume in cc's. You should see a much smaller vol on the LC as compared to Lapua or WW.

 

[wilecoyote]

Re: Lapua vs Lake City Brass

I prefer not try something new immediately BEFORE a match_if I'm happy with LC, I will go to it with LC and my tested reloads_ after that,I will take my time to study the best possible recipe with Lapua_