6BRA Alpha Brass question

[savageshooter86]

I just read through the entire thread and I think I may be having some similar problems as others? I didn’t check the base to shoulder measurement on the new Alpha OCD brass (what is it supposed to be?), but the new brass is difficult to close the bolt on (Alpha reamer w/ .120 FB done by a great ‘smith). I chose a starting load of 30.5gr N150 (w/ Berger 108’s) b/c I have quite a bit of it and have read positive things from guys using 150. Straight away I was getting ejector swipes at 2850-2870fps. Also after a handful of rounds I start seeing lots of tiny brass particles in the chamber and on my bolt.

On the 1x fired stuff I bump the shoulders a thou and they chamber much easier (Micron die), like any other round. Velocity topped out around 2950 with 31.4g N150 (heavy bolt lift, swipes of course). Settled on 30.8 which gave me about 3/8” elevation at 200yd, but it’s only running 2900fps. I haven’t shot enough of the sized brass to know if I’ll still get the brass flakes in the chamber, but I assume the swipes at the lower velocities are from the brass being too hard/undersized at the .200 line and not grabbing the chamber? Not sure why it’s so hard to close the bolt on out of the box when using Alpha’s own reamer (brass prep for virgin stuff is mandrel the neck, trim/chamfer/debur). Anyways, appreciate all the input and info everyone has already posted.

Try bumping shoulder back on the virgin brass? Did you measure virgin brass vs fired? I would check and bump shoulder back 2k or 3k

 

[fabricator21]

Has anyone formed bra from petterson 6 br brass

 

[SKWERLZ]

Has anyone formed bra from petterson 6 br brass

Yep
Really happy with it.

 

[DaveTooley]

I haven't yet but Bart pointed me in that direction. I trust his opinion.

 

[Mags]

Sheesh, and I had been considering selling my stash of Lapua BR and going to Alpha to save myself from having to FF 600+ cases…

I think I’ll not do that now.

I will say, I have used (and still do) Alpha OCD 6.5x47L, 22GT, and 6BR with excellent results. Shame that the BRA has had all these issues.

 

[Clancy]

Sheesh, and I had been considering selling my stash of Lapua BR and going to Alpha to save myself from having to FF 600+ cases…

I think I’ll not do that now.

I will say, I have used (and still do) Alpha OCD 6.5x47L, 22GT, and 6BR with excellent results. Shame that the BRA has had all these issues.

I bought an eBay press and a hydro die. Saves a lot of barrel life!

 

[benchrest]

hmm, well i was going to order some 6bra Alpha and skip the FF process. not after seeing this thread. looks like i will be breaking out more of my Lapua and doing brass prep instead. oh well, i will be keeping loads all the same sticking with Lapua...

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I'm on my 3rd box of Alpha 6bra brass. I like it.
Tuesday, I shot my PB in practice using this stuff. I have Lapua as well. Iv used the Alpha in 3 bbls .
I will say it's harder than Lapua too. Three firings in and heat the necks up , very lightly. Not shoulders, just the neck. But, that's just me.
Edit: After reading more post's on this thread, I must say, I don't shoot the top node, 32+ Im not near. Probably why I haven't seen the issue

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

Has anyone formed bra from petterson 6 br brass

I did early on with my first bra bbl. 2 years ago.
Probably would have done it again but Iv not seen any of that brass around here in a long time

 

[Bill Norris]

Has anyone formed bra from petterson 6 br brass

I formed 6BRX from 6BR Peterson brass and it was good to go.

 

[Slowrunning]

On the virgin brass I have a hard time closing the bolt compared to stuff that’s 1x fired and sized. Bolt lift is heavy on anything past 2900fps with the new brass as well

Edit: what are clickers? I’ve seen that mentioned a bunch but am not familiar

Any update to using the alpha brass with the alpha reamer?

 

[DJSBRS]

Has anyone formed bra from petterson 6 br brass

I have hydro formed thousands of Peterson 6BR to BRA successfully for my customers.
DJ
DJ's Brass Service

 

[Jerry S]

DJ,
Any problems with forming brx outa the Peterson brass? Getting low on Lapua and looking at alternatives.

 

[nrspence]

Well i guess i wont be buying Alpha for my BRA....

 

[DJSBRS]

DJ,
Any problems with forming brx outa the Peterson brass? Getting low on Lapua and looking at alternatives.

Nope. I have to chamfer the inside and measure neck thickness to determine plunger diameter on everything I do to Peterson.

DJ

 

[Tpb10505]

Any update to using the alpha brass with the alpha reamer?

Not really. I’ve been shooting my 308 and will be until after next spring. The shoulders weren’t too long on the new stuff so I’m not sure what was causing the difficult to close bolt and leaving tiny brass shavings in the action.

 

[highdrum]

Any update to using the alpha brass with the alpha reamer?

I'm using a 120fb alpha chamber with ocd brass. Ran 105 hyb up over 3000fps w/ N150 from a 28" pipe, no psi signs. This is a prs rifle and I don't need the speed, so usually running 109s w/ 30.2gr varg at 2830fps. My first BRA barrel was cut with a Wheeler style reamer but 274nk 135fb, and I dealt with bolt lift issues after second firing. I'm using a Wilson 6bra die. The brass from first barrel is being used in the new alpha chamber. The original barrel only had 1400 rounds on it when I pulled it, tempted to set it back with a different chamber.

 

[Slowrunning]

I'm using a 120fb alpha chamber with ocd brass. Ran 105 hyb up over 3000fps w/ N150 from a 28" pipe, no psi signs. This is a prs rifle and I don't need the speed, so usually running 109s w/ 30.2gr varg at 2830fps. My first BRA barrel was cut with a Wheeler style reamer but 274nk 135fb, and I dealt with bolt lift issues after second firing. I'm using a Wilson 6bra die. The brass from first barrel is being used in the new alpha chamber. The original barrel only had 1400 rounds on it when I pulled it, tempted to set it back with a different chamber.

I'm running a 109 at 2820 with 30gr varget, very accurate at that lower node. I thought I was having issues related to the alpha brass/wheeler reamer that some are experiencing but I think I've isolated my issue to my die. I made some changes and it's running really well again. Most of my brass is on its 3rd firing. I'm going to keep using the alpha brass and proceed with caution. It does shoot very well so I'm hoping I don't have issues in the future. I'd like to keep using alpha bra brass so I'm considering just picking up an alpha reamer next time I need a barrel.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I'm running a 109 at 2820 with 30gr varget, very accurate at that lower node. I thought I was having issues related to the alpha brass/wheeler reamer that some are experiencing but I think I've isolated my issue to my die. I made some changes and it's running really well again. Most of my brass is on its 3rd firing. I'm going to keep using the alpha brass and proceed with caution. It does shoot very well so I'm hoping I don't have issues in the future. I'd like to keep using alpha bra brass so I'm considering just picking up an alpha reamer next time I need a barrel.

Just know if you tighten up the base you will have problems with Lapua. My chamber is saami minimum spec, .4714". Same spec as most other cases on this bolt face like the .308 and creedmoors. A long time ago we figured out going smaller than the industry standard caused problems. Just FYI.

 

[LVLAaron]

Dumb question... but is there any issue with the Alpha 6BR brass? Or using the 6BR brass to FF to BRA?