09-23-2022, 07:38 PM
stonehog Wrote:The bolt looked fine. The lugs looked normal, too. When I put a new bolt in, it passed headspace - wouldn't seat on the no-go gauge. I ordered a bullet puller today, so will do that on the remaining rounds. How many folks load full up loads on new brass? Isn't that what all manufacturers do? I may be getting too careful if I start pre-firing all new brass, I fear. Better than blowing my face off, but...
To be fair - the rifle handled this well - as far as I can tell it vented gas in a safe direction down through the mag, and minimized impact to the receivers and BCG. That said - I'll test fire it a bit with other "safer loads" before I decide anything on the barrel. This is my nicest grendel as far as accuracy and reliability so far...
I wouldn't have thought brand new brass needs an initial safe load either. I never worked with Lapua brass but I've used new Starline brass with no issues going to a proven load. But I do full length size it because that's what Starline says to do before using it. Does Lapua have similar requirements?
Also, have you ever fired that load with used Lapua brass? Maybe it's just too hot of a load regardless of the brass age or initial conditions.