Re-branded might have been a mis-quote on my part. I was just looking at the specs and saw that Lapua Super Long Range and SK Long Range Match share very similar ballistics is all.
When it comes to similar ballistics, according to their respective ballistics charts the specs for SK Magazine (a lesser grade than SK Standard Plus) has the same ballistics as Lapua X-Act, perhaps the most expensive .22LR match ammo available. Beyond superficial appearances, that's where the similarity ends.
Which scenario is more likely?
Lapua invested time and money into research and development for a new line of specialty cartridges,
that would appeal to an extremely limited market...or...the graphics department printed out some new labels
to fill with current products so as to manipulate the more optimistic of our brethren
into parting with more of their hard earned cash?
Neither scenario may be likely. Consider the following -- which of course is speculation. (Lapua doesn't publish much about this kind of stuff.)
What Lapua appears to have done was to create two new varieties of 1106 fps ammo, Super Long Range and Long Range. Other Lapua 1106 ammo includess Polar Biathlon and Pistol King.
Unlike Polar Biathlon, the new varieties will probably have the standard Lapua bullet that's used on CX, M+, and X-Act. (This bullet is indicated on the lot number. It's a "5" -- the third digit in the five digit number preceding the slash. According to the one lot of Polar Biathlon on hand, the PB bullet is indicated by the number "7".)
Prior to the introduction of Lapua Long Range and Super Long Range, the production of 1106 fps rounds with the standard "5" bullet was limited to Lapua Pistol King, which of course has a slower MV in typical pistol barrels. (Lapua OSP is the standard 1073 fps ammo but it's actual MV is reduced when used in pistols).
Now Lapua will be able to produce three grades of 1106 fps ammo that uses the standard "5" bullet. From the top of the heirarchy they will be graded Lapua Super Long Range, Long Range, and Pistol King. This is similar to what's done on the SK production line (separate from the Lapua even though it's in the same facility) when SK's 1106 fps ammo is graded, from the top to SK Long Range Match, Biathlon Sport, and Pistol Match Special.
For those who object to this grading heirarchy, it's worth keeping in mind a few things. Pistol ammo is shot under different conditions where the top grade of ammo's potential advantages aren't usually fully utilized. Pistol-specific branded ammo can be sold at higher prices than their place in the grading system would seem to justify because they are a niche product.)
Of course if Lapua doesn't use the standard "5" bullet on the new long range varieties, the above is irrelevant.
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