Scratches in new 300 gr .338 Lapua bullets

[rleonard]

I opened a box of .338 Lapua bullets for reloading. I immediately noticed the deep scratches on the noses consistant throughout the entire box of bullets;



Lapua 300 grain is on the top row, with the scratches and Lapua 250 grain on the bottom; smooth.



I sent these pictures to the US Lapua rep; Ken at

Nammo, Inc.
P.O. Box 2037
409 E. Second Street
Sedalia, MO 65302-2037

He assures me that this is normal and consistent within the industry. Clearly a difference when compared to their 250's that I had on hand.

According to Ken, there are no performance issues and this is cosmetic only. I tend to disagree but thought I'd share this with you experts.

Also notice the need to trim and form the meplat.

Use or replace?

Bob

 

[Asperly Aimless]

Those aren't scratches. Those are lines where the jacket folded during the swaging process. You see those on bergers, Sierras, Hornady's, ad Nosler bullets. Most of the folds are very slight though, polish out, and just look like light marks around the circumference of the nose.

However; those folds are deeper than I've seen on any other mass manufactured bullet. It looks almost as if you can catch them with a fingernail. Not good.

 

[ksthomas]

It's Kevin, Bob, not Ken. As we'd discussed, if you'd like us to replace them, no problem, but it is purely cosmetic, and will not affect the bullet's accuracy or performance. And as I (and now Asperly Aimless) have mentioned, these are common on all bullets of this type of construction. More noticeable on some than on others, but they're there on all of them.

Just let me know.

 

[rleonard]

Thank you Kevin for your time and professional help. I appreciate the prompt response and resolution.

Bob

 

[ranger1183]

It's Kevin, Bob, not Ken. As we'd discussed, if you'd like us to replace them, no problem, but it is purely cosmetic, and will not affect the bullet's accuracy or performance. And as I (and now Asperly Aimless) have mentioned, these are common on all bullets of this type of construction. More noticeable on some than on others, but they're there on all of them.

Just let me know.

Kevin, Please feel free to pass any and all "factory second's" bullets on to me for disposal. I am an expert in projectile recycling.

 

[ksthomas]

I don't know, Ranger, could be a conflict in interest . . . 1/506th . . . just sayin'!

 

[ranger1183]

I don't know, Ranger, could be a conflict in interest . . . 1/506th . . . just sayin'!

You know, Kevin, as Veterans we are supposed to be above all not now.

 

[ksthomas]

Hey, I'm good with it. Spent some time at Bragg myself, too.

That's the problem with Lapua, though; All those "factory seconds" are over in Finland!