Is my 6brai die really a 6br?

[chevytruck_83]

Rifle is a impact precision with hawk hill 6bra barrel chambered by Hawk Hill.
Dies are custom.
When I tried to size the first fire formed brass I couldn’t bump the shoulders at all. The dies would contact the shell holder. When I called whidden they said to take a little off the base of the die. While I’m not crazy about doing this to expensive dies I do have a shooting buddy that has a machine shop. I had him take 20 thou off the base of the die. Now That I can bump the shoulder it looks more like a 6br then the modified 6bra. Unfortunately I didn’t notice the visual difference after sizing. I only checked how far the shoulder was being bumped. Since the tool goes from the center of the taper it seemed good. I didn’t notice the problem till the load I worked up with the fire formed brass was popping primers.. In the picture the brass on the left is a factory new 6br. The middle is a fire formed 6bra. The one on the right is a fire formed case sized with the whidden 6brai die. I’m awaiting response from die maker. In the mean time I may contact Wilson to see if they make a 6bra die. I just started loading for my 338 lapua with one of their dies and it shoots incredible.

 

[newbieshooter]

..... In the mean time I may contact Wilson to see if they make a 6bra die......

https://lewilson.com/wilson-full-length-sizing-die-bushing-type
https://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=94
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...dies/bushing-full-length-dies-prod117723.aspx

 

[HTSmith]

I'm no expert by any means, but it looks you got the wrong die to me. Another thing is if you use shell holders in resizing, it's usually less risky to take little bit off there.

 

[stacy]

THAT CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE THE WRONG DIE FORSURE IF YOU SIZE THE ONE ON THE RIGHT

 

[dbduff]

Give Whidden a chance to make it right, or at least give their input. They’ve treated me well for multiple special order dies. Did you send them a fire formed case or the reamer print? Regardless, they’re shooters and good folks. They’ll help you resolve it, imho.

 

[chevytruck_83]

Give Whidden a chance to make it right, or at least give their input. They’ve treated me well for multiple special order dies. Did you send them a fire formed case or the reamer print? Regardless, they’re shooters and good folks. They’ll help you resolve it, imho.

I ordered the die while I was waiting for the barrel so they didn’t have a case. I’m a firm believer that everyone makes mistakes, products fail etc. That doesn’t bother me. What determines the quality of a business how they handle it. I have no reason to believe he won’t make it right. I just wanted to verify what I thought. For the record the die has 6bra engraved on it.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I recommend Harrell's for BRA dies.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve specified what die I wanted, sent three fired cases and still received the wrong die. Lol..

The extra shipping and delay is frustrating and the confidence level in the supplier drops a notch or two.

 

[Ccrider]

I’ve specified what die I wanted, sent three fired cases and still received the wrong die. Lol..

The extra shipping and delay is frustrating and the confidence level in the supplier drops a notch or two.

From whom?

 

[Link]

I don't think I would be to happy with there answer, take .020 off the die . ;{

 

[JFrank]

From whom?

It was not a Widden die.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Exactly what is stamped on the die you had .020 removed from? Does it say "BR" or "BRA"? Still possible it could be stamped wrong, clearly looks like a regular BR die to me from what it resized to...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

When it comes to Harrell's, in MY experience they prefer to pick a die that has very minimal sizing. I like a little more, so I just buy the # I want. My advice is that if you choose to send them cases, just ask them to send one size smaller than they normally would. The nice thing about them is they are so cheap you can afford to have a set. As you get more firings on the brass you can go down a size if needed or even bring back an over pressured case.

 

[JFrank]

I'm no expert by any means, but it looks you got the wrong die to me. Another thing is if you use shell holders in resizing, it's usually less risky to take little bit off there.

I’m certainly not an expert either but I’m struggling here so as a question, let’s take Wilson for example: the die is hardened beyond a grade 8 so what tool would a person use to - take a little off ?

Secondly to what hardness are shell holders ?

 

[jamesdmock]

Rifle is a impact precision with hawk hill 6bra barrel chambered by Hawk Hill.
Dies are whidden custom.
When I tried to size the first fire formed brass I couldn’t bump the shoulders at all. The dies would contact the shell holder. When I called whidden they said to take a little off the base of the die. While I’m not crazy about doing this to expensive dies I do have a shooting buddy that has a machine shop. I had him take 20 thou off the base of the die. Now That I can bump the shoulder it looks more like a 6br then the modified 6bra. Unfortunately I didn’t notice the visual difference after sizing. I only checked how far the shoulder was being bumped. Since the tool goes from the center of the taper it seemed good. I didn’t notice the problem till the load I worked up with the fire formed brass was popping primers.. In the picture the brass on the left is a factory new 6br. The middle is a fire formed 6bra. The one on the right is a fire formed case sized with the whidden 6brai die. I’m awaiting response from whidden. In the mean time I may contact Wilson to see if they make a 6bra die. I just started loading for my 338 lapua with one of their dies and it shoots incredible.

The 3rd case looks a lot like a 6 BRX case.

 

[chevytruck_83]

I’m certainly not an expert either but I’m struggling here so as a question, let’s take Wilson for example: the die is hardened beyond a grade 8 so what tool would a person use to - take a little off ?

Secondly to what hardness are shell holders ?

The guy that owns the machine shop that shortened the die for me said he was concerned how hard the die would be before taking on the job. After doing it he said it wasn’t even hardened. I can’t confirm nor deny it. He’s a veteran that did it for free for me because “that’s what shooters do”. Wouldn’t take my money.

 

[JFrank]

That’s interesting

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have taken a bunch of dies down and on the bottom any carbide tool will make it seem not hardened. Its only hardened a few thou deep its not tool steel.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have taken a bunch of dies down and on the bottom any carbide tool will make it seem not hardened. Its only hardened a few thou deep its not tool steel.

100%

 

[JFrank]

I have taken a bunch of dies down and on the bottom any carbide tool will make it seem not hardened. Its only hardened a few thou deep its not tool steel.

Thanks Dusty,
Now I know