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6bra or 6 dasher

i have 2 rifles that the barrels are about shot out. They are both currently chambered in 6br and seem to give up a bit at 700 and 800 meters. I will be using these 2 rifles for steel challenge matches locally out to 800 meters. I’d like to shoot the 115 DTAC for the high bc, but that’s not a necessity. Can I use the 6br seater die for the 6bra? Or do I need to buy a dasher seating die reguardless of which chamber I choose? I’ve read a lot on other sites and Some on this site trying to choose between the dasher and bra but I’d like to hear it from you guys since I trust this site info above all others. Also, I don’t want this to transition into a pissing match. I just want real world pros and cons please. Thanks guys.
 
It takes a 6BRA or 6 Dasher seater die to seat for a 6BRA. That said, you may be able to get your 6BR seater opened up to seat 6BR and 6BRA.
 
I’d say 6bra. You’re going for steel plates so either will be more than accurate enough however the case formation of the bra is much easier and you’ll be able to compete with the fireform loads if you want. Mine shot some sub 2” groups at 600 fireforming the other day.

Im using a dasher Wilson seater and a shortened harrels dasher die for fl sizing.
 
I have both and the Dasher has a little more horsepower for heavy bullets.
 
go 6BRX then you can use your 6BR dies (and a 243 or 308 etc to finish off base of case) or just buy a FL bushing die in 6BRX and use your 6BR seater die.. same same as dasher for loads and speeds
 
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If your plan is shooting steel at 800m, just stick with a BR. You are gonna spend a lot of time and money to gain +/-100 fps with BRA/Dasher/BRX.
6BR: 105g @ 2850fps 800y 10mph wind = 1.2mil or 4.3moa
Dasher: 115 @ 2850fps 800y 10mph wind = 1.4mil or 4.9moa
Not enough difference there for you to beat a bad wind call
 
Im a straight br advocate

I love my br s but shooting a 10” plate at 800 meters in the wind with a full minute or more between shots is getting me. The guys running dashers with the dtacs or 110 sierras are catching the very edge of plates when I’m an inch off the plate in a switchy wind. Since both of my barrels are about done this would be the time to switch if I’m going to.
 
Have you considered stepping up to a 6.5x47 to get a more substantial boost in the wind? Or if you want cheap brass available, go 6.5 Creedmoor.

This really feels like a lot of effort when you're retooling with new dies and everything to claw back an inch when several inches are gained going up a size.
 
So here's some numbers:

105VLD @2850fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 35.3in
800yds, 8mph wind: 29in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 6.3in

115VLD @2850fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 33.9in
800yds, 8mph wind: 27.8in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 6.1in

140VLD @2750fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 32.1in
800yds, 8mph wind: 26.5in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 5.6in

No matter what, We're not even talking about 1 inch of difference at 800yds between a 6br, 6dasher, or 6.5x47

Edit: For giggles, a 180VLD@3050fps, is only missing by 4.4 inches, so a 7 SAUM can save the day by almost 2 inches at 800yds vs a 6br :D
 
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That 257 bullet from Blackjack would be interesting for this. Ballistics of a 7mm Berger 180 hybrid but you can get it going faster and with less recoil.
 
So here's some numbers:

105VLD @2850fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 35.3in
800yds, 8mph wind: 29in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 6.3in

115VLD @2850fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 33.9in
800yds, 8mph wind: 27.8in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 6.1in

140VLD @2750fps
800yds, 10mph wind: 32.1in
800yds, 8mph wind: 26.5in
How much you miss by when you think a 10mph wind is 8mph: 5.6in

No matter what, We're not even talking about 1 inch of difference at 800yds between a 6br, 6dasher, or 6.5x47

Edit: For giggles, a 180VLD@3050fps, is only missing by 4.4 inches, so a 7 SAUM can save the day by almost 2 inches at 800yds vs a 6br :D


I've got a 6.5x284 and a 300 wsm. In the real late fall I can use them if the weather permits us to shoot. The 215 Berger does great in the wind but both cartridges build to much heat for this type of shooting. I went through a new 30 cal rock creek barrel last year on my 300 wsm shooting this shoot. I thought I'd stay in the 6br family of cases. When it's 100 degrees I don't worry as much about the br s burning up. Id like to keep getting 2 to 2.5 years outa barrels. I think I'm pretty well set on staying in the br family of cases
 
I would make the change just to have the 40* shoulder. Way better for case stability.

With super long bullets the BRA neck is longer than the Dasher. Not sure that might be an issue but something to think about. I like 'em both as an upgrade from the straight BR.
 
I've got a 6.5x284 and a 300 wsm. In the real late fall I can use them if the weather permits us to shoot. The 215 Berger does great in the wind but both cartridges build to much heat for this type of shooting. I went through a new 30 cal rock creek barrel last year on my 300 wsm shooting this shoot. I thought I'd stay in the 6br family of cases. When it's 100 degrees I don't worry as much about the br s burning up. Id like to keep getting 2 to 2.5 years outa barrels. I think I'm pretty well set on staying in the br family of cases

That's cool. I was just pointing out the absolutely tiny difference between a BR and a Dasher in wind performance. You'll spend a bunch of money switching to shoot 0.2" tighter on a bad wind call when that amount of money in bullets, powder, and barrels will probably yield better improvements. And it's not like you'll gain much on the accuracy front; the 6BR is no less accurate.
 
That's cool. I was just pointing out the absolutely tiny difference between a BR and a Dasher in wind performance. You'll spend a bunch of money switching to shoot 0.2" tighter on a bad wind call when that amount of money in bullets, powder, and barrels will probably yield better improvements. And it's not like you'll gain much on the accuracy front; the 6BR is no less accurate.
The difference might seem tiny on paper but at the 1K range on a breezy day it’s a different story.
 
It may be easier to step up to the speedsters than it is to really read the wind. I get more satisfaction from a good wind call. Recoil, torque, hop does something to my learning ability. The 6br is just so pleasant I can really focus. And shoot a lot without going broke. Mike
 
It may be easier to step up to the speedsters than it is to really read the wind. I get more satisfaction from a good wind call. Recoil, torque, hop does something to my learning ability. The 6br is just so pleasant I can really focus. And shoot a lot without going broke. Mike
I agree. You can't up-size far enough to fix bad wind calls. By the time you've got something noticeably better, you've taken a sizeable increase in recoil and blast that often causes the shooter to perform worse than with the delightful little 6BR.

The difference might seem tiny on paper but at the 1K range on a breezy day it’s a different story.

The difference between a 6BR and a Dasher is very small and to say it is a significant improvement discounts a great deal of science and ballistics research proving the contrary. The OP is talking steel shooting, not chasing down the benchrest records where that 0.2" absolutely matters. I think he will find the cartridge change underwhelming and any improvement in his scores will come from additional practice, not from the Dasher.
 
I agree. You can't up-size far enough to fix bad wind calls. By the time you've got something noticeably better, you've taken a sizeable increase in recoil and blast that often causes the shooter to perform worse than with the delightful little 6BR.



The difference between a 6BR and a Dasher is very small and to say it is a significant improvement discounts a great deal of science and ballistics research proving the contrary. The OP is talking steel shooting, not chasing down the benchrest records where that 0.2" absolutely matters. I think he will find the cartridge change underwhelming and any improvement in his scores will come from additional practice, not from the Dasher.
The advantage the Dasher has is exactly why it exists. I agree additional practice can be an equalizer but only if you do it. And if they guy with a little ballistic edge also did it he's still more likely to beat you. I'm not knocking the straight BR it's a great cartridge, I have two, but it just needs a little help at LR. Out to about 800 it's not huge but that little extra at 1000 gets it over the hump. If it didn't no one would bother with the BRA either.

I have 2 6BR's, 1 6BRA, 1 Dasher and 2 BRX's. If I have to choose, the BRX is my favorite but they all shoot well.. I like them all.
 
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