Prepping new lapua?

[black5.3]

Hey guys,

I have always shot shot cheaper brass in my 30-06 that i use for long range and i decided to take my reloading consistency up a notch and invested in some lapua brass. I have done a little research and as with most anything, everyone has different opinions. Most of the brass looks good but some of the necks are just a little out of round. Should i go ahead and size them all with my FL sizing die or just use the neck sizing die? Also should i uniform the primer pockets and debur the flash hole? I use the K&M primer pocket tool and it cuts the little chamfer inside the case at the primer pocket to supposedly make the primer ignition into the case more even. What do you guys think? How do you all treat new lapua brass?

Thanks, Jon

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

flash holes are drilled, necks annealed, jock 'em up and torch 'em off

 

[agbm]

I would say the primer pockets and flash holes are fine right out of the box. I neck size all brass and check headspace to verify all the same, if in range I load it. If not in Range I FL size and bump shoulder back.

 

[Supersubes]

As you noted, some necks are dented, so that will require attention. I do that with a full length sizing. This will also establish the neck tension you want and correct/uniform the headspace. I also do an inside chamfer as the factory one is minimal and is burred up a bit.

 

[black5.3]

Thanks guys, i was thinking FL sizing would be the way to go so the entire case is the same for the initial firing. I have to rework up my load anyway. I have heard lapua takes less powder due to the thicker case.

 

[spife7980]

Cant speak to the 3006 lapua but what I do have experience with has great primer pockets that dont require attention. The necks do need some clean up just to even everything out. I would full length but only so far as to just touch the shoulder, not actually move it. They will be a bit shorter than your chamber already from the factory (most likely) so further reducing that dimension isnt needed. Just even out the necks which on my 223 were .008 too small for my desires. Then trim chamfer and deburr if necessary.

Or if moa is good enough just load and blast them. Its really just how anal you want to be with them.

 

[Marksman10x]

Load and shoot. Maybe run an expander down the neck to straighten and uniform neck tension. Even straight out of the box, they'll shoot much better than moa, much better.

 

[mdmp5]

I neck size new Lapua brass first with an expander and a wide diameter bushing, then without the ball and the correct bushing for proper neck tension.

 

[ZiaHunter]

Most common issue with new Lapua brass is dented case necks from being bumped around in transit. Just run an expander mandrel through the necks to take care of it. Even though the primer pockets and flash holes are drilled, the last 300 6.5x284 cases I processed had burrs on the interior flash holes and had to deburr them.

 

[1J04]

I do the same thing every time with all new Brass. Expander, chamfer, debur, n shoot. Makes me feel good. I've removed a reloading step by not bothering with anyone's Brass regarding flash hole's. Oh I check'm, but they only get love if a punched petal is folded over some how. Non issue with Lapua. Now I wanna knock dust off the ole 30-06 Model 70.

 

[Foul Mike]

Have you tried any Nosler brass? How does it compare? Curious minds would like to know. FM

 

[1J04]

Have you tried any Nosler brass? How does it compare? Curious minds would like to know. FM

Mike, if you're asking me I like Nosler just fine, but at around $80 bucks per 50 or what $1.60 per case, it hurts, but that's for 300WM. Spendy but I've never had a complaint about it.

 

[Foul Mike]

It is expensive, however, all I have ever had to do with Nosler is prime, powder, bullet and shoot.
I think Lapua is over rated. I have had good luck with Nosler and the primer pockets seem to hold up well. Not asking you in particular but everyone. FM

 

[black5.3]

I researched nosler quite a bit and the reviews made it seem like it was very uniform brass. It might even be more uniform than lapua for all i know but what got me was the $60 price tag for a box of 50... i got the lapua on sale at brownells for $88 for 100.

 

[Sweetyzfd]

I just load em and shoot. I dont do any prep until they're fire-formed

 

[black5.3]

Im thinking im going to FL size and then just load and shoot. I will figure out my primer seating depth and all that good stuff after they have been fire formed. Thanks guys.

 

[gigamortis]

All I do to virgin Lapua brass is neck size them with my Lee Collet Die.

 

[TripleBull]

My neighbor considers himself to be a benchrest guru. When he buys new brass, he starts out by carefully placing the new brass into expensive trays. Then he talks to the brass, explaining what he's going to do to it and why all those steps are important.

I quit drinking beer with him after he told me about that.

 

[black5.3]

Haha i guess using expensive trays is one if the mkst important parts!

 

[Tomo999]

I've just loaded up 100 Lapua S/R cases to test at the weekend - no prep was necessary, although I did visually inspect each case carfully before seating the bullet.

 

[Gohring65]

I collet sized the necks, ran a flash hole deburr tool and chamfered and deburred the case mouth on my Lapua brass because I had this same question.
After doing so, I no longer had this same question.

 

[black5.3]

Yeah im thinking just run them through my FL sizing die, tumble, prime, and load. I have already inspected them and some of the necks are dinged but besides that they all seem pretty much ready to load.