6.5x284 Brass

FatBoy... · #1 06-19-2002, 05:49 PM

I'm trying to find some Lapua 6.5x284 brass and all the major supply houses are out of both Lapua and Norma for some time to come. (maybe Mid-August,, sounds like Perry to me). Does anyone know where I can locate some Lapua factory brass for this chambering?

I'm trying the Hornady now. Picked up 50 cases today, and they need some serious work before a bullet can be seated.(neck wall thinkness of .022") I puchased a .263 mouth reamer and a Neck turnig tool and still don't have what I need ot get a round put together. I may have been better off swaging Winchester, but I don't have an FL die.

So, any help locating some Lapua brass is greatly appreciated.

FatBoy...

PrimeTime · #2 06-19-2002, 07:35 PM

Do you dislike the Norma brass? I have been shooting it and it works very well. I shot a 4.5" 5 shot group with it at 1K. I know Bill Shehane swears by it and he is a very good shot. As far as the Lapua, try Bruno Shooter Supply, Natchez, or Sinclair. Keep looking and I'm sure you'll locate some.
Good shooting

FatBoy... · #3 06-19-2002, 07:54 PM

Prime Time,

I haven't tried Natchez, but the other two are out.

I only tried 20 norma cases, but of the 20, 18 have either rims that expanded to the point that I can't get them in the shell holder, or the primer pockets are very loose, after one firing.

I'm only running 53.0gr H4831SC, and my velocities are running 2950 to 2975fps, so it's not a very hot load. I also did not get a tight neck. I was advised that the Lapua was harder brass and may help. If not, I'll be looking for a differnet powder, or turning all my necks. (I really don't want to have to neck turn).

FatBoy...

Warren Barrett · #4 06-19-2002, 09:16 PM

FatBoy, you may need to back off of your powder a little with those Norma brass. John Hoover with Accuracy One had the Lapua brass last week. His # is 814-684-1777. Give him a try.

FatBoy... · #5 06-19-2002, 11:12 PM

Warren,

Thank you, will call him tomorrow.

I'm hesitant to drop back much more, but I guess running 30 or 40 fps slower is better than getting single shots from expensive brass....

I appreciate the help.

FatBoy...

PrimeTime · #6 06-20-2002, 07:51 AM

FatBoy-
I shoot 54 and even 55 grains of the Norma and haven't had any problems like you describe. I know one fellow that is having good luck with the Hornady brass and he ordered his directly from Hornady.

FatBoy... · #7 06-20-2002, 04:02 PM

Warren,

I ordered some brass from Mr. Hoover, and got some good info to go along with it. Very nice guy. Thanks for the tip.

PT,

I didn't figure I'd have any trouble either, but for some reason the rims and primer pockets are expanding with 53.0 gr H4831SC. The gent who sent me the brass posted his load on the side of the box, and with a chandler rifle/obermeyer barrel and Norma brass he's runnig 54.6gr to get 2950fps, no pressure. I've been told that the Mike Rock R5 barrels have a very tight bore and are hard and do not expand like some other barrels, which would contribute to both the high velocities with less powder, and the extra pressure in the case. Anyone??

As far as the Hornady brass,,, it may well work out fine, but it HAS to be sent through a sizing mandrel, a FL die or cut with a inside neck reamer before it can be loaded. With a case wall thickness of .22" and a bullet of .264", you'll get an overall loaded neck diameter of .308", which is .007" over SAMMI spec, and the round will not(should not) chamber.

I have a K&M 6.5 sizing mandrel on the way also, and I'm going to try and take the necks down to .010 or .011" and see if possibly the extra space will alow the brass to release faster and lower the pressure.

Anybody see a flaw in my logic?

FatBoy...