A dealer event like no other – with Lapua 

By Rob Mori (aka @hunt.aus) 

The team from OSA put together a gathering of select dealers at a picturesque property in Victoria, complete with near-perfect weather recently (May 2026) and I was lucky enough to be in attendance while representing The Report magazine. 

From the moment we arrived at the farm and were greeted by many familiar faces, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical dealer day but more an opportunity to mix with peers, share ideas but most importantly see and hear firsthand what Lapua has been working on. 

We were lucky enough to have experts from the Nammo Group, namely Olof Borgstrom and Jarkko Aro, and Bobby Goalder from Capstone Precision Group to walk us through the exciting innovations and market changing improvements that Lapua has diligently been working on for the benefit of the greater hunting and shooting marketplace. 

After we were given a briefing on the groundbreaking changes that have been achieved, we headed straight out to the range to test for ourselves and see first-hand what the new ammunition was all about. 

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m no future Olympic medallist in any discipline but the ease with which I was able to repeatedly place numerous rounds virtually on the same spot at 100 and 200m was a breeze, even for me, and many others pushed the range out to nearly 500m with great accuracy.  

I guess as a hunter myself, having the utmost confidence in your equipment and ammunition is paramount so that when that critical moment presents itself, the only thing that should have any room for error is the person pulling the trigger. 

Let’s get down to what the day was all about…  

The Lapua True-Range Expanding (TRX) ammunition range  

The Lapua True-Range Expanding (TRX) product line is a premium range of lead free, polymer-tipped, solid-copper hunting ammunition and component bullets. Engineered by Finland-based Lapua, the TRX family bridges the historic gap between target-grade, long-range accuracy and devastating terminal hunting ballistics. By maximising ballistic coefficients (BC) and incorporating proprietary waterproofing, Lapua offers an ethical, ultra-precise alternative for hunters operating under strict non-toxic ammunition mandates or demanding maximum performance across diverse distances. 

Lead free meets match grade precision: inside the Lapua TRX ammunition range 

For decades, hunters have been faced with a selection dilemma. You could choose a match grade target bullet designed to slice through crosswinds and drop predictably at long distances, or you could choose to go for a rugged hunting projectile designed for terminal expansion and deep penetration. The concept of merging both characteristics into a monolithic, lead-free copper bullet has long been considered a ballistic holy grail or an ammunition unicorn of sorts. 

The solution? The True-Range Expanding (TRX) product family. Lapua, the brand synonymous with gold standard competitive shooting disciplines, has applied its elite rimfire and centrefire manufacturing processes and standards to the ever-expanding hunting market to change the way – like no one else has been able to. The outcome is a specialised lineup of projectiles and factory loaded cartridges that completely redefines any previous expectations of solid copper hunting ammunition. 

Innovation at a glance 

Projectile composition: Monolithic Solid Copper (Lead-Free)                       

Nose design: High-Aero Aerodynamic Polymer Tip                         

Weight retention: Near 100% upon terminal impact                            

Environmental tech: Patented Air Lock® Waterproof Seal                         

Factory cartridge lineup: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 SE,  .308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win Mag 

What sets TRX apart 

The marketplace is already flooded with many versions of polymer tipped copper bullets, but independent testing confirms that, yet again, Lapua has raised the standard. Historically, solid copper bullets struggled with uniform accuracy or failed to expand reliably at lower velocities downrange. These shortcomings have been directly addressed by Lapua’s research and development team and have rectified these flaws through three critical innovations: 

1. Class-Leading ballistic coefficients: The exterior profile, boat-tail architecture, and optimised ogive give the TRX line the highest BC values in its category. This design creates a remarkably flat trajectory and superior wind drift resistance, which allows hunters to place shots with certainty and confidence in a variety of unpredictable alpine or open-plain conditions. 

2. Wide-velocity terminal expansion: Rather than relying on massive impact velocities to deform the tough copper construction, the TRX utilises a highly sensitive polymer tip and precision engineered internal cavity. Upon impact, it initiates a quick yet controlled ‘mushrooming’ effect across a very wide velocity spectrum. Testing and results have already confirmed that it tracks straight, penetrates deeply and yields nearly 100 per cent weight retention with virtually zero meat loss. 

3. Air Lock® technology: Hunting very rarely happens in perfect weather, so to counteract and compensate for the unknown, the factory-loaded TRX ammunition features Lapua’s patented Air Lock® waterproofing. This advanced sealing system completely seals the primer and case mouth against moisture, which ensures flawless and consistent ignition whether stalking in torrential rain or even potentially sub-zero conditions. 

Real-world validation and testing undertaken 

Using factory components and premium Vihtavuori propellants, a 120-grain 6.5mm TRX projectile fired from a Blaser R93 rifle produced a jaw-dropping 14mm average group at 100 metres. It significantly outshot established premium competitors, which averaged 25mm in the same evaluation environment. In .30-caliber configurations, a 150-grain TRX bullet pushed by N550 powder achieved sub-half-inch, 15mm groupings while maintaining maximum muzzle velocities, which is simply phenomenal. 

Cartridges and components 

Whether you prefer the convenience of factory premium loads or the meticulous tuning of handloading, the TRX family caters to your bench. For reloaders, component bullets are readily available in 6.5mm (120-grain), alongside .30-caliber variations in both 150-grain and 165-grain profiles. 

For factory ammunition enthusiasts, Lapua has steadily rolled out standard offerings designed to extract peak performance from modern and classic rifles alike: 

• 6.5 Creedmoor (120-grain): Optimised for the world’s favourite modern, low-recoil precision hunting round. 

• 6.5×55 Swedish (120-grain): Infuses traditional, long-action European rifles with modern ballistic efficiency. 

• .308 Winchester (150-grain): The quintessential short-action choice for deer, boar and medium game. 

• .30-06 Springfield (165-grain): Added to maximise versatility and penetration in standard long-actions. 

• .300 Winchester Magnum (165-grain): Built to withstand extreme pressures and deliver devastating energy transfer at true extended distances. 

Why it belongs in your magazine 

As global environmental regulations lean heavily away from lead projectiles, hunters no longer need to view non-toxic ammunition as a lesser option or even a compromise. Built using legendary, tight tolerance Lapua brass cases, clean burning powders and surgical bullet geometry, the TRX range acts as an insurance policy for your hunt when it matters most. It delivers match-grade precision on the flight path and ethical, clean and devastating terminal performance when it arrives at its target. If your hunting demands absolute repeatability under even the harshest conditions, then the TRX deserves a spot in your chamber this season.