switching from federal to lapua .308

[abadrs]

I posted this in F class forum but its probably better suited here. I recently bought some lapua brass and was first a little concerned when I loaded some and found that most of the brass seemed to have higher neck tension than my resized federal brass. There were a two out of 15 that seemed to have similar neck tension. I also assumed (yea I know) that I would have to drop powder charge from my standard 45.0 of varget due to the lapua brass weighing more. Nope the federal with primer weighed 180.0 gr and the lapua (same primers) weighed less at 176.7 gr. Should I even change powder charge... I loaded 5 with 44.0, 5 with 44.5 and 5 with 45.0. Am I on the right track here ?

 

[DocB]

abadrs,

I've found some rifles like an even lower charge than where you are starting. You're headed in the right direction, but you may wish to use 1 grain increments and start lower.

HTH,
DocB

 

[alpine44]

I posted this in F class forum but its probably better suited here. I recently bought some lapua brass and was first a little concerned when I loaded some and found that most of the brass seemed to have higher neck tension than my resized federal brass. There were a two out of 15 that seemed to have similar neck tension. I also assumed (yea I know) that I would have to drop powder charge from my standard 45.0 of varget due to the lapua brass weighing more. Nope the federal with primer weighed 180.0 gr and the lapua (same primers) weighed less at 176.7 gr. Should I even change powder charge... I loaded 5 with 44.0, 5 with 44.5 and 5 with 45.0. Am I on the right track here ?

When I loaded the first batch of Lapua cases I also fretted about the neck tension; but the best result was this: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...cellent-accuracy-load-scar17.html#post3110760

 

[abadrs]

I guess one more thing I noticed.. After firing 15 rounds 44.0 being my best overall group at 600 yards [MENTION=12724]1moa[/MENTION]. 4 of the 5 were sub, The brass from the fired 15 rounds was actually shorter than the new brass that is unfired? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious here. Measured with RCBS case mic. I actually had two shots thru the same hole back to back shots. I've got the pics but can't figure out how to load them from phone.
Thanks

 

[abadrs]

I guess one more thing I noticed.. After firing 15 rounds 44.0 being my best overall group at 600 yards [MENTION=12724]1moa[/MENTION]. 4 of the 5 were sub, The brass from the fired 15 rounds was actually shorter than the new brass that is unfired? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious here. Measured with RCBS case mic. I actually had two shots thru the same hole back to back shots. I've got the pics but can't figure out how to load them from phone.
Thanks

 

[abadrs]

Fiured out the pics I hope

 

[abadrs]

I guess one more thing I noticed.. After firing 15 rounds 44.0 being my best overall group at 600 yards [MENTION=12724]1moa[/MENTION]. 4 of the 5 were sub, The brass from the fired 15 rounds was actually shorter than the new brass that is unfired? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious here. Measured with RCBS case mic. I actually had two shots thru the same hole back to back shots. I've got the pics but can't figure out how to load them from phone.
Thanks

Forget what I said about the brass measurement... I guess I should make my measurements when its daylight and I can see... (sucks to get old)