Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

Get or give advice on equipment, reloading and other technical issues.

Moderator: Mod

Message
Author
AlanF
Posts: 7495
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Maffra, Vic

Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#1 Postby AlanF » Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:50 pm

For the first time in more than 10 years of shooting a 284, I've ordered some 284 brass rather than 6.5-284. Its Lapua and its actually cheaper than the 6.5 version (at the Q-Store). Not sure how long its been available but I haven't heard mention of it locally. Its been available in the US for a while. So has anyone tried it? If so how does it perform in terms of things like neck thickness uniformity, primer pocket life etc?

willow
Posts: 567
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:51 pm

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#2 Postby willow » Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:10 pm

AlanF wrote:For the first time in more than 10 years of shooting a 284, I've ordered some 284 brass rather than 6.5-284. Its Lapua and its actually cheaper than the 6.5 version (at the Q-Store). Not sure how long its been available but I haven't heard mention of it locally. Its been available in the US for a while. So has anyone tried it? If so how does it perform in terms of things like neck thickness uniformity, primer pocket life etc?


I have a friend who has bought some but due to the COVID lockdown up here, hasn't had a chance to try it. It's thicker in the neck than the 6.5-284 brass - measuring about .3155, barely thinner than Peterson 284 brass which comes in at .3165 for me. Consider a new reamer if your gunsmith is geared for tight neck chambers. I went with a custom reamer specifically for Peterson brass due to the neck thickness (plus I'm not a fan of neck turning).

I posted this link on here some months ago:

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threa ... s.4037525/

BATattack
Posts: 1275
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:29 pm

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#3 Postby BATattack » Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:35 pm

Should be interesting to see how the primer pockets hold up and how people go with being able to re size the smaller web from larger chambers and dies. May get some bolt click?

AlanF
Posts: 7495
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Maffra, Vic

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#4 Postby AlanF » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:12 pm

BATattack wrote:Should be interesting to see how the primer pockets hold up and how people go with being able to re size the smaller web from larger chambers and dies. May get some bolt click?

Well Adam, I read what you are probably referring to on Accurate Shooter :

MattPeetz on Accurate Shooter Forum wrote:Looks like a whole new reamer is needed for them at the .2 line.
People that have a chamber for 6.5x284 lapua brass will be opening primer pockets rather quickly even with mild loads as it’s .5 at the .2 line


But my latest lot of 6.5-284 Lapua actually measures slightly under ".5 at the .2 line", and primer pocket life is fine, and that's with a reamer that is supposed to be .5019 at .2 line. So it'll be interesting to test it. My 284 brass has been posted from Qld so should be here in a few ... months?

BATattack
Posts: 1275
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:29 pm

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#5 Postby BATattack » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:51 am

I was thinking more about the batch / punching process for primer pocket life than the reamer. Some people felt that Norma 7saum brass wasn't as tough as 300saum brass which you'd expect to be the same

6ppc wildcat based on .220r lap brass vs 6ppc USA SAAMI chambers have a similar web difference and can need dies to match. It might not be an issue at all with the .284

AlanF
Posts: 7495
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Maffra, Vic

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#6 Postby AlanF » Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:23 pm

Have finally tested some of the new Lapua 284 brass, and primer pocket life is fine, in fact in my test it was better than my latest batch of 6.5-284. I reloaded a 284 Shehane case 10 times with 190gn Bergers, increasing 2209 charges, with the last 3 shots over 2800 fps (last shot 2825fps) and GM210 primers were still very firm to seat. The exact same test using expanded 6.5-284 brass showed signs of looser primers at around 2800fps. Also better is that after firing it ends up at full spec OAL of 2.17. My 6.5-284 has always ended up about 2.155" OAL, thanks entirely to a 0.015" shorter neck. So for me its a no-brainer - this is the best 284 brass option out there. And of course no need to expand the necks :D . I should add that 10 shots and only one randomly selected case is a small sample size, so I'll report again down the track, but its already very encouraging.

Redhawk
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:24 pm

Re: Lapua 7mm-284 Brass

#7 Postby Redhawk » Sun Oct 24, 2021 5:54 pm

Thanks Alan, very useful! Please keep us updated on this one, following it with interest:)


Return to “Equipment & Technical”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 27 guests