I've got a new 6BRA, Sauter's hammers, Vapor trails and Varget, H4895, XBR and RL15. Where would you start your load development? My first thoughts are a powder/seating rough test using both bullets and Varget and H4895. 100% open-minded!
6BRA what would you do?
- Thread starter BOB LEE SWAGGER
- Start date
You have laid out a bunch of variables. I have no experience with Vapor Trail bullets but have with Bart's Hammers. I have shot all the powders listed and I would try H4895 first. Load 3rds each with 30.0, 30.5, and 31.0 gr. of H4895 test each of these at .005 into lands, .015 off, .030 off, .045 off and .060 off. Choose the load that not only groups best but is in the same relative position on the target. The seating depth that will shoot all three charges to the same relative position is your best seating depth. I would shoot these at 200 yards if possible. Once the best seating depth is determined, you can tweak your load for powder charge (check with chronograph). If none of the above are satisfactory, repeat with the Vapor Trail....or if the velocity is not what you want, try Re15 or Varget. I don't think that XBR is going to work with the heavier bullets but is excellent with bullets up to 80 gr. Good shooting ...James
6BRAckley
Gold $$ Contributor
Of the bullets you listed I only have familiarity with the Vapor Trails. When I run out of those I have switched to 108 Bergers. I have no issue with the Barts - just haven't had an opportunity to try them yet. I try to run my load ladders at the longest distance possible (generally 550 yards for me)
I would shoot a ladder of 3 rounds each with 30.2, 30.4, 30.6 30.8 and 31.0 of H4895 with the vapor trails INTO the lands .003. From there I would determine the best range and run finer load ladders, including one that experimented with seating depths. I shot my BRA with Vapor Trails .003 into the lands at the IBS Nationals (Krieger 1-8 twist) but it also showed equally good results in testing being jumped .020. With my 1-8 Brux barrel that shot well at the NBRSA Nats I was shooting Vapor Trails .009 into the lands. I know of others that have had their best results jamming VTs even more than that. Your barrel and testing will reveal a lot of information.
Best of luck - let us know how it shoots.
JP
I would shoot a ladder of 3 rounds each with 30.2, 30.4, 30.6 30.8 and 31.0 of H4895 with the vapor trails INTO the lands .003. From there I would determine the best range and run finer load ladders, including one that experimented with seating depths. I shot my BRA with Vapor Trails .003 into the lands at the IBS Nationals (Krieger 1-8 twist) but it also showed equally good results in testing being jumped .020. With my 1-8 Brux barrel that shot well at the NBRSA Nats I was shooting Vapor Trails .009 into the lands. I know of others that have had their best results jamming VTs even more than that. Your barrel and testing will reveal a lot of information.
Best of luck - let us know how it shoots.
JP
I’ve shot the BRA quite a bit. I like H4895 as my powder of choice. Start at touch and go in. Lots of guys shooting the Hammers 5 to 10 in. If it’s a new barrel you may have to put some rounds on it before it will shoot. Seems like most of the barrels want 50 to 100 rounds before they start to come in. Which makes it a a good time to fireform brass, break in the barrel and clean.
Most of the BRAs/Barrel combinations I’ve shot seem to like to tune around 2920 to 2940 then again at 2960 to 2980 FPS. Some are going faster but that’s not where I like to shoot.
Good luck with your Tuning! Let me know how it goes!
Bart
just watching
on a similar note, I live in the south and had noticed several peeps using varget in warm to hot weather and getting good results. I have been using it in my 6bra and just got the barrel to 150 rounds and have shot some pretty good groups at 600. 1.7" five shot group, a .72 4 shot and pulled the fifth one 
at 600. just my .02 and ymmv. shoot well and enjoy the round, its great!!!!
at 600. just my .02 and ymmv. shoot well and enjoy the round, its great!!!!pat fulghum
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I see no mention of barrel length in this thread.. Doesn’t barrel length come into play here? Or is evryone assuming 28”?
I have been messing around with my 6BRA here http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/6bra-second-go.3960551/
The 103gr copperheads are similar to vapor trails from what I've been told. . I have tried H4895. IMR8208 XBR. And varget . Looks like mine like 005 jam but i haven't finished testing and i haven't put speeds down on the varget test yet. But it looks promising. .
I am going to replace my firing pin spring and test again after chatting with a few guys here.
The 103gr copperheads are similar to vapor trails from what I've been told. . I have tried H4895. IMR8208 XBR. And varget . Looks like mine like 005 jam but i haven't finished testing and i haven't put speeds down on the varget test yet. But it looks promising. .
I am going to replace my firing pin spring and test again after chatting with a few guys here.
Try 4895, starting at 29.8gns work up in 2/10s increments, 5 jam the 103 to 107gn range bullets, you should see something that works then fine tune from there.. CCI 450s have worked well for me but others have had luck with 400s and BRs.. If you can’t find anything with 4895 try your Varget..
Ask what might seem like a simple question and get a whole load of different advice.
I can think of another couple of methods which are popular but not yet mentioned.
All clear as mud then?
My 2 cents, be sure to test thoroughly one powder/bullet combo before switching anything, there are so many variables it gets easy to start switching between everything and finding nothing.
Good luck.
I can think of another couple of methods which are popular but not yet mentioned.
All clear as mud then?
My 2 cents, be sure to test thoroughly one powder/bullet combo before switching anything, there are so many variables it gets easy to start switching between everything and finding nothing.
Good luck.
Last edited:
Very true.. just the distances we tend to test at alone can have plenty of weather induced variables to have you chasing your tail..Ask what might seem like a simple question and get a whole load of different advice.
I can think of another couple of methods which are popular but not yet mentioned.
All clear as mud then?
My 2 cents, be sure to test thoroughly one powder/bullet combo before switching anything, there are so many variables it gets easy to start switching between everything and finding nothing.
Good luck.
sorry, took 3 replies for what you asked. I'm using 30.6 gr varget, no pressure, the only seating test I did was in .010 increments(no I'm not done y'all) and crazy enough it was happiest right then at touching the lands. the .010 jammed and .010 off the lands had the same poi on the target, they were just not as tight a group as the .000(so hopefully ill have a really wide seating node). by the end of this month I intend to get serious about the tune on my load so ill try to keep you posted with the meat and potatoes of the process. oh yeah, this was with 105 Berger hybrids. I have some 105 hunting vids coming today and will be trying them also. to be continued
I’m playing with varget and regardless of what anyone says, it’s temp sensitive! When you get it right it will drill, but velocity goes up and down with the temp. Way more then H4895.
Bart
Bart
Last edited:
Interesting results. I've checked Varget vs H4895 and found the inverse to be true, though a very slight difference. Wonder if perhaps it's lot to lot differences or how each barrel/node reacts.
I did a temp stability test with Varget and 4895 when I did my first BRA. I was well familiar with Varget, but hadn't had much experience with 4895 so I wanted to test it since my location can yield match temps anywhere from 15-95 degrees. I tested rounds at the ambient temp of 80 degrees, 3 each, then put 3 rounds of each in a 0 degree freezer for 15 min. The H4895 was 18 fps slower and the varget was 20, so I considered it a wash. I always test lots of powder this way.
Sheldon,
It could vary some but I see a lot more change with varget. Just this week I’ve shot it in cool weather 57degrees and fairly warm weather 82 degrees same day. There was over a 40 FPS change in velocity.
Bart
Wow, that's a lot.
Interesting but try shooting them when it’s hot outside and when it cool outside. Skip the freezer.
I’ve chronograph nearly every shot for three years. That’s here at the house as well as during matches.
I’m not going to debate it. Those are my results over thousands of rounds. I’ve got guys scratching their heads trying to figure out why they’re gun shot yesterday but not today. Hummmmm could it be the velocity changed????
Results may vary per shooter and testing method!!! Not banging on anyone your results are your results!
I’ve got a Nationals to get ready for! I should have my A$$ Kicked for even being on here!!!
Later Fellas!
Bart OUT!
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.