Re: auto loaders and lapua brass
I run Lapua in my gas gun not for the added "accuracy" but for the zero prep required compared to Winchester brass. It's the same reason I run it for my bolt guns, zero prep. You can make winchester just as good, but YOU have to do it with your time. Your going to lose your prepped Winny brass the same as your no prep Lapua.
I would care to wager that your time spent playing with Winchester brass cost you more than just buying Lapua in the first place.
I have never felt that Lapua was softer than others. It has and continues to serve me well. I do get the ring marks as well, but I think it's caused by my chamber dimensions and not soft brass. I have 5 loadings on .233 Lapua and it appears they have quite a bit of life left. The only thing that makes me cringe a little are the dings you get in the shoulder of the brass. They don't appear to have any feeding or downrange effect, but they sure look like they could. The dings always pop out after being fired again.
Best of luck.