Reloading Lapua Brass Question

[Tactical30]

I kinda new to reloading and the only brass i have reloaded was the stuff i shot myself. I just ordered some Lapua 6.5 Brass for the Grendel and was wondering do I just take it right out of the box and throw in some powder and seat some Scenars on it OR should i size them? (I shouldnt have to do any trimming)

 

[wphoto]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

New brass should not need any sizing. They are ready to go out of the box.

You will however need to seat some primers before you throw in the powder and cram in the scenars.

 

[usmcsniperone]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pb_m3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">New brass should not need any sizing. They are ready to go out of the box.

You will however need to seat some primers before you throw in the powder and cram in the scenars.</div></div>

I always run new brass through the sizer just to fix the necks and case mouths that get dinged and dented during shipping and packaging.
Keeps the neck tension consistant.IMO

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

+1 sniper one.
You wouldn't buy shoes without check the fit.
So don't load new brass before checking the fit.
Not a perfect analogy, but size new brass for certain.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey Simpson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 sniper one.
You wouldn't buy shoes without check the fit.
So don't load new brass before checking the fit.
Not a perfect analogy, but size new brass for certain. </div></div>

I usually run my rifle brass through a FL sizing die before I load it. It gets other stuff done to it first. But the sizing die will help straighten out the dents and kinks from handling and shipping.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I just got done resizing them. Going to get in the habit of doing that.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

Do you resize factory ammo before you shoot it?

For brand new Lapua brass, I seat primers, measure the powder and seat the bullet.

 

[Wil]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

negative on the factory ammo... However, factory ammo necks are harder to ding given the fact that there's a bullet in they way, and they are a bit better protected than bulk brass when shipped.

Having said that, Lapua is one of the better ones in regards to shipping brass... WIN brass will always require a run through the dies to get em squared away.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I just run them up into the die, a little way up and down the expander, to bring the mouths back into round.

 

[hydro556]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I have had good results in my reloading and I dont resize new brass.

As for the bent case necks, seating the bullet straightens them out. Havent checked neck tension, but I am getting consistent results.

Just load them, at least if they are Lapua.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

For rounding out case mouths, I use a mandrel of the appropriate diameter. Why subject the brass to a full resize when all you need to do is ensure the softest part of the case is properly rounded?

A mandrel costs about $8.00, a very cheap price to avoid an unnecessary resize for brand new brass.

 

[LA_Lawman]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I always resize, then the other stuff, uniform primer pockets, deburr flash holes, Chamfer/deburr the case necks....

then i load'em and shoot'em!

 

[Tcanupp]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I tried to "round out a case mouth" by seating the bullet in them and didn't like the way it peeled off the copper jacket on the bullet. Not sure if it would really hurt anything but I didn't feel comfortable with it. With new lapua brass I resize with a manderal button, uniform the primer pocket, and chamfer the case mouth. Then after the first firing I trim all the brass to length. It may be overkill but works for me.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L.A. Lawman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I always resize, then the other stuff, uniform primer pockets, deburr flash holes, Chamfer/deburr the case necks....

then i load'em and shoot'em! </div></div>

The primer pockets in the Lapua brass are already uniformed. They drill their flash holes which means there is nothing to deburr and the case mouths are already chamfered. Why do you even bother paying extra for Lapua?

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

Even with Lapua brass you will have occasional neck dents. I always run Lapua through my Sinclair neck sizing madrel. This ensures round necks, and consistent neck tension. Other than that you should be able to shoot new Lapua brass without all the Winchester brass case work.

The only other thing I do is weigh the brass. Normally with Lapua it is pretty consistent, but you do come up with the occasional "bad boy". I normally get 2 or 3 piles when starting out with 300-500 pieces, and a few throw aways(fowlers). With Winchester brass I normally have several piles, and considerably more fowlers. Tom.

 

[JLM]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sig685</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For rounding out case mouths, I use a mandrel of the appropriate diameter. Why subject the brass to a full resize when all you need to do is ensure the softest part of the case is properly rounded?

A mandrel costs about $8.00, a very cheap price to avoid an unnecessary resize for brand new brass. </div></div>

I was pondering the mandrel option tonight looking thru a box of new Lapua brass. 308 brass. I had maybe 3 out of 100 that had dinged necks.

What sized mandrel would you use Sir Sig?

Thank you!

ETA: pondering ordering the Sinclair expander die so.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

You're going to laugh but I use a Neck Turning mandrel from Sinclair. It is .002 under bullet diameter for all calibers. I have one in .224 and another in .308. They cost $8.75 each. Of course, you do need the expander die, but you only need one. That's $25 at Sinclair.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/prod_detail_list/Turning-Expander-Mandrels

 

[JLM]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sig685</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're going to laugh but I use a Neck Turning mandrel from Sinclair. It is .002 under bullet diameter for all calibers. I have one in .224 and another in .308. They cost $8.75 each. Of course, you do need the expander die, but you only need one. That's $25 at Sinclair.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/prod_detail_list/Turning-Expander-Mandrels
</div></div>

Cool man, that's what I figured you'd say, but wanted to make sure. Thanks!

 

[CCooper]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I do the same thing. The turning mandrel will give .002 neck tension while the expander mandrel will give .001 tension. I like the idea of sizing the necks from the inside. After shooting once, I size down with a neck bushing.

 

[CCooper]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

longrange30, for Lapua brass all I would do is run them over the sinclair expander mandrel or turning mandrel depending on what neck tension you wanted. If you are on the lands and want to eject loaded rounds, get the turning mandrel so you will have more neck tension to avoid pulling the bullet out of the brass.

 

[Lburt]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

I do the neck turning mandrel too. Sinclair, Hart, K&M are all good. I also trim to 2.000. Even Lapua runs from 2.003-2.007 out of the box. I look at new brass as a fire forming exersize and really don't expect a high level of performance the first time down the tube.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Reloading Lapua Brass Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CCooper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">longrange30, for Lapua brass all I would do is run them over the sinclair expander mandrel or turning mandrel depending on what neck tension you wanted. If you are on the lands and want to eject loaded rounds, get the turning mandrel so you will have more neck tension to avoid pulling the bullet out of the brass. </div></div>

CCooper, you are too late, the OP went and screwed up his brass. He started another thread where is is asking for help now. This is just too funny; some people really believe the first thing they read on the Internet. Oh well, I wish him well.