Can I use Lapua 6mmPPC cases in my Sako rifle chambered for 6mmPPC, or are the case dimensions different enough to cause a problem when fireforming? Thanks.

Lapua 220 Russian cases work fine in my old model Sako 6PPC. (1989 vintage)

Redrover, thanks for your reply. It's helpful since my Sako is also the older model (S491). dshoots

dshoots:

It was late at night here when I posted previously, and I should have included one small caution – make quite sure that you have sufficient neck (diameter) clearance. The chamber of my Sako L461 rifle has a neck diameter of 0.271in, and I gather that this is pretty much the standard for all the models of Sako 6PPCs – the L461, the S491 and the Model 75.

The necks of the batch of Lapua cases I have finished up at a diameter of 0.268 – 0.269in, measured over a seated bullet, so while there is enough clearance for the bullet to get out of the neck freely, there is not a lot to spare. If you re-form a few 220 Russian cases, seat bullets in them, paint the cases necks with a marker pen, and try chambering them, it will give you a good indication if you have clearance or not. If you are not sure, either get a gunsmith to determine exactly what the chamber neck diameter is, and/or outside turn the case necks, to take a thou or two off the diameter of them.

I turn my Lapua cases to a neck diameter of about 0.2675in (over a seated bullet) which is enough to clean up any irregularities in neck thickness, and I do my re-sizing with a Redding bushing die with a 0.265in bushing. Most ‘fixed’ 6PPC resizing dies reduce the necks to an OD of less than 0.260in, which would probably work the brass to death in a very short time.