6 BRA 100y testing

[kyotekiller25]

Took the 6 BRA out today with 2 loads, 6 shots each at 30.3g and 30.7g based off my previous 300y ladder. The Garmin died on me after 3 shots on the 30.7 load, but still got some decent informative data I think. 30.3g obviously had the better numbers, but the group was not as good.

Think I'm going to stick with the 30.7 charge as it did shoot better than the 30.3 load, even though the crono numbers aren't as good, but still very acceptable for long range.

Will work on seating depth testing now and see what that brings. After that, I'll try 3 and 5 thou neck tension, as I'm at 4 thou right now, and then 2 other primers. I know these 6 BRA's can shoot better than this...

What's the best way to proceed with testing when you're only working with 12 pieces of brass for the time being? 2 or 3 shot groups for seating depth, 3 or 5 thou increments? I'm at about 8 off the lands right now, so really the only way to go is further off.

 

[64Rambler]

I'd go in groups of 3. Repeat your -8, then go in 0.006" increments from there, that will get you to -26. Hopefully you will see one of them give a tighter group. Then go back and go +/- 2, and +/- 4, with repeats at the -?? and see if you can refine it further. If none of the jump distances give you what your looking for, try +6 and +9 - usually not tight enough to pull a bullet if you have to eject the round.
Just curious, why the limited quantity of brass?

 

[Matt_3479]

I’d be guessing that 30.3gr’s is actually smaller group then the 30.7gr. Unless you called that pulled shot you have to count it for what it is. Possibly right on the edge of a node and almost unstable.

That said both groups looks to be almost or right at 1 moa. I’d consider trying another powder or Atleast exploring a different area with this powder. I’ve never had a group out of my 6bra or 6br above .75moa from 3 different barrels, 3 different powders, 2 kinds of brass, 2 kinds of primers.

Going back and forth, and exploring all these variables with just 12 pieces of brass also seems like a waste of time. What’s the reason you only have 12 pieces of brass? I’ve found seating depth works best at .003 increments, I’ve found ladders work best shot in multiple strings 2-3. Limiting yourself to 12 pieces of brass, exploring the same test on different day, different environmental’s, different shooter fatigue and even different brass consistency with new, once fire, twice fired can have a little variation. I’d consider getting the brass you need, and fire forming it.

 

[SpencerC87]

You are limiting yourself too much trying to only use these 12 pieces of brass. The ES and SD numbers you got are only good enough to use for average velocity, the ES and SD are not true to what your load actually is. Your groups are likely the same in a bigger sample size.

 

[kyotekiller25]

To answer the 12 pieces of brass question. 162 pieces came with the rifle, 12 were new, the other 150 have been fired around 9-10x so I'm just trying to get all these fired the same amount of times before throwing them in with the bigger batch. Pain in the butt I know, but that's what I get for being a little OCD, plus I know it's always better to keep brass separated in terms of how many times it's been fired.

I did not pull that shot on the 30.7 load. I was cussing it pretty bad...Solid hold and break, no wind so I just think it's part of the natural dispersion of that load maybe? You guys don't think seating depth or neck tension could be the culprit?

Both groups are actually basically the same. They both measure .78" for the 6 total shots, and .48" for the better 5 shots.

I've got some N540 I can try. If this H4895 doesn't work out. Hard to believe it won't shoot H4895 when it put 10 into .6xx" as a fireforming load. Kinda figured if it doesnt shoot H4895 something is wrong with the rifle as everyone either shoots it or Varget it seems like...Have to also remember these are the only 2 loads I've put through the rifle besides that Fireform load and the ladder test. Based off the 300 yard ladder test, this seemed to be a decent place to start and test. Not sure where else would be worth exploring?

Guess I could always prep the 10x fired cases and have 150 to work with. The range is only 2 miles down from my house, so working with 12 pieces of brass isnt too horrible or a complete waste of time, just limited on number of combos a guy can take out at a time. And I thought these 6 BRA's were suppose to be the easy button to tune...so just thought I could get away with using the 12 pieces first.

Here's the 300y ladder test again, if you see a different charge weight area to test, I'd definitely be open to trying it.

 

[kyotekiller25]

I would not be completely satisfied with those groups knowing the potential of the caliber.

These are 21 fire form rounds while testing two scopes at 100 yards, scope two was shifting 3/16 down and right yet still grouped very well.

In your case I might test powder again and go further up using two or three shots per increment.
And try not to over crush the primers.

Yah see that's what I'm expecting out of this. 21 fireform rounds in a dime without even trying! So what am I doing wrong?

I was told much anything over 31g and I'll be ruining brass? I could try going up a bit though?

I don't think I'm crushing primers. Using an RCBS hand tool and seating until they just bottom out and give slight resistance, not leaving any indents on the primers.

Here's the 10 shot fireforming group with the same components and seating depth. It has to shoot H4895 with the potential of this you would think...

 

[SSchnd]

I was running 30.6 gr H4895 (H4895 works great in the 6BRAi) last prone match (Sling shooter still working on the stock adjustments) was 199/13 200/13 with about 7x fired Lapua SMK107 and CCi450 jumping about 20 thou. Kreiger 1/8 twist with a burnt throat for a mid range match. Nothing wrong with H4895.
The flier in your 30.7 group,? We could ponder bullet, was a shooter induced flier?

Shoot 20 into a group then look at the SD ES and Group size and shape.

 

[kyotekiller25]

1.5" at 1K, with 2 touching! Ya I'd say it shoots pretty good! I'd be happy with the other 2 groups also.

I'm going to try a little more powder today then.

Do 4 sets of groups at 3 shots each. How does 31/31.2/ 31.4/31.6 sound? Or should I do 31.2/31.4/31.6/31.8?

31.2g put me around 2885, and it doesn't seem like it's going up more than 10fps every .1g or so.

 

[SpencerC87]

It could just be a bad lot of 4895, don't spend a bunch of time chasing it IMO. If you have other powders, try them. N140, N150, Varget, 8208 would all work. I have no experience with N540, but N5xx powder have not shot as tight for me as the N1xx offerings

 

[kyotekiller25]

Well I just ordered a new jug of H4895 yesterday, so hopefully it might do a little better...This can of H4895 is at least 20 years old...I have a jug of N540. I have a pound and half of 8208XBR and 4# of IMR4895, and a jug of H4350. Didn't want to have to try 4-5 different powders to get this thing to shoot the way it should. Figured Id start with one of the best at H4895 and go from there. Not giving up on it yet. Literally have 2 loads through it. If I found every load I've ever worked up foe my rifles in the first 2 loads, I'd go buy a lottery ticket haha. Sometimes it takes a few trips to the range, just didn't figure I'd have to do as much with the 6 BRA since everyone says it's the easy button...Can't say 1 way or the other yet, but it's just about like anything else I've loaded for so far...

I've got 4 sets of groups loaded with 3 each at 31.2/31.4/31.6/31.8 and I'll go shoot them this afternoon. If those don't show any promise, or too hot, I'll go back down to 30.7 and shoot a 10 shot group and see what it does again and start playing with seating depth. Maybe that was me that pulled that shot on the 30.7, but I'm 99.99% sure it wasn't. Pretty hard to pull shots from a bench rest with an 8 oz trigger and 25x scope with a floating dot.

 

[kyotekiller25]

Just got back from the range. 31.8 at 2955 shot pretty decent. That's gotta be around the high node in a 6 BRA with 26" tube and 108s. It's 30 degrees today. My only concern is how it will act when the Temps get in 90s in the summer...

The primers are showing slight signs of pressure, slight cratering, but there is no sticky bolt and no ejector marks? The cases are still measuring .471" at the .200 line so they should be ok?

What do you guys think? Worth exploring at 31.8 and shoot a few more groups there to see what it does? Or go back down around the 30.2-30.8 area, around the 2825-2875fps mark?

Here's a look at the 3 cases from the 31.8 charge

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

The 30.7 group was Better than the 30.3 group in post #1 ( One Flyer vs,.. 2 Flyers, in group ) and Now it's looking Like, the 31.8 is Getting,.. THERE for you ( Def a Hot One, tho ! )
Load 30.7 in the Summer and 31.8,.. in the Winter, maybe ?
Do 10 Shot group's at, 200 Yds, to Test, Both Loads,.. further.
IMO,. there's nothing wrong with, an Accurate, Lower Node, as they are, consistent and easier, on Brass !

 

[64Rambler]

Following the 3% rule for nodes, the next lower node should be around 30.85 gn (ballpark for your previous 30.7 load). Then to play with seating depth. For temp sensitivity, N540 was not a good choice for me. Probably better off with your H4895.

 

[SSchnd]

Definitely a better group shape there. at the high end. But agree, what will it be like 80-90F is a valid question.

 

[Owens85]

Well I just ordered a new jug of H4895 yesterday, so hopefully it might do a little better...This can of H4895 is at least 20 years old...I have a jug of N540. I have a pound and half of 8208XBR and 4# of IMR4895, and a jug of H4350. Didn't want to have to try 4-5 different powders to get this thing to shoot the way it should. Figured Id start with one of the best at H4895 and go from there. Not giving up on it yet. Literally have 2 loads through it. If I found every load I've ever worked up foe my rifles in the first 2 loads, I'd go buy a lottery ticket haha. Sometimes it takes a few trips to the range, just didn't figure I'd have to do as much with the 6 BRA since everyone says it's the easy button...Can't say 1 way or the other yet, but it's just about like anything else I've loaded for so far...

I've got 4 sets of groups loaded with 3 each at 31.2/31.4/31.6/31.8 and I'll go shoot them this afternoon. If those don't show any promise, or too hot, I'll go back down to 30.7 and shoot a 10 shot group and see what it does again and start playing with seating depth. Maybe that was me that pulled that shot on the 30.7, but I'm 99.99% sure it wasn't. Pretty hard to pull shots from a bench rest with an 8 oz trigger and 25x scope with a floating dot.

Drop back with that new lot of 4895. The one you have now is really slow. About a grain slower then the last couple lots of 4895 I've gotten. Id start around 29.6 with the new lot.

 

[kyotekiller25]

Well I just got back from testing the 2835-2880 area at 30.3/30.5/30.7/30.9 and nothing really jumped out at me...31.8 definitely shot the best by far today. 30.3 is showing potential also I think.

I did pull that shot a bit on the 30.9 group, cold fingers dang it! But I don't think it really would have mattered much. The groups around that area just aren't very good.

I think I'm going to shoot 31.7/31.8/31.9 this weekend and also 30/30.1/30.2/30.3. Whatever shoots good there I'm going to stick with that charge and move along to seating depth.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I have been experimenting with H4895 in the BR - 30.3g of H4895 does the trick. ( But I.m thinking that the brass won't last!) CCI450 primers needed. I guess a little more in the BRA?

 

[Jeff Porter]

I was running 30.6 gr H4895 (H4895 works great in the 6BRAi) last prone match (Sling shooter still working on the stock adjustments) was 199/13 200/13 with about 7x fired Lapua SMK107 and CCi450 jumping about 20 thou. Kreiger 1/8 twist with a burnt throat for a mid range match. Nothing wrong with H4895.
The flier in your 30.7 group,? We could ponder bullet, was a shooter induced flier?

Shoot 20 into a group then look at the SD ES and Group size and shape.

What was your velocity with the H4895? I have your Atterbury load with 107's at 2895-2900 fps. I assume that was also 30.6 of H4895?

This seems to be a slow lot of H4895.. I run 29.8 H4895 with Berger 105's and get 2890fps. You may want to dry that powder in a food dehydrator at 100 F for about 4 hours.


Edit to add - just read your post about a new lot ordered.. definitely drop back to 29.0-29.5 and work back up when you get it.

 

[tlc2057]

Well I just got back from testing the 2835-2880 area at 30.3/30.5/30.7/30.9 and nothing really jumped out at me...31.8 definitely shot the best by far today. 30.3 is showing potential also I think.

I did pull that shot a bit on the 30.9 group, cold fingers dang it! But I don't think it really would have mattered much. The groups around that area just aren't very good.

I think I'm going to shoot 31.7/31.8/31.9 this weekend and also 30/30.1/30.2/30.3. Whatever shoots good there I'm going to stick with that charge and move along to seating depth.

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I stopped chasing the lands, and things got easier for me out of my 22 gt, 6gt, and 6 dasher.-.40 out of all three seems to be the ticket. They shoot the same if they are loaded +or- .010 either way. That’s shooting Hybrids and Eldm. I think we all can drink to much of the pond water. Good luck

 

[kyotekiller25]

I stopped chasing the lands, and things got easier for me out of my 22 gt, 6gt, and 6 dasher.-.40 out of all three seems to be the ticket. They shoot the same if they are loaded +or- .010 either way. That’s shooting Hybrids and Eldm. I think we all can drink to much of the pond water. Good luck

I'll definitely test further off, I just typically like to start near the lands and find my charge weight first, then move onto seating depth. That way I know the only way to go is down, or further off. My 223 likes the 75 eldms at 25 off, my 6 creed and 7-300 both like them at 10 off. Usually I'll test up to 30 off. Never went 40 off though, that seems like a good stretch and goes against almost everything I've ever read and known.