6 BRA: Should I be doing load development while fire forming?

[Lynn313]

This is the most accurate/precise rifle I have ever shot. i’ve fire formed 180 pieces of brass by the end of shooting today. Most have been at 104 yds as my pasture is soggy from rain & snow. A couple of groups were at 300….. my limit at home. Soon I think I will be at the range to stretch out to 1000. These loads are 29.0 grains of Varget over Berger 105s, Lapua 6 BR, & 450s. I’m jumping 10 thou.
I am new to the BR family & did a search before posting. Loads of great info! My question is do you do load development while FFing?
I would like to fire form some more brass because if a medical challenge gets better I will get to do some local comps this year & full go next year. Im getting an average velocity of 2845 to 2850 with 29.0 grains of Varget. I have a good supply of Varget, h4895, & RL-15.5 to play with. I’ll probably switch to Berger 109s also. I’ve put this in a chassis. Once I know I like a chassis I will bed the action. Bedding hurts resale if you decide you don’t like it.

 

[6BRA]

Case capacity isn't there yet. Fireforming makes many happy groups!

 

[J.D.Erwin]

I agree with 6bra, it took my 6bra brass a few cycles before they were uniformed for consistency.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I am in the same boat having just installed my first 6BRA barrel but patience will pay off.

 

[JFrank]

I form them once with 29.5 gr of Varget , as long as the shoulder looks good I’ll begin with load work. I haven’t seen any issues with case capacity not defining a node or anti node.

 

[6BRA]

I form them once with 29.5 gr of Varget , as long as the shoulder looks good I’ll begin with load work. I haven’t seen any issues with case capacity not defining and node or anti node.

OP's question.....

6 BRA: Should I be doing load development while fire forming?​

 

[Mark W]

OP's question.....

6 BRA: Should I be doing load development while fire forming?​

……and that’s a big NO. Everything seems to shoot good while fire forming for a BRA. The work starts once the brass has been fire formed.

 

[JFrank]

OP's question.....

6 BRA: Should I be doing load development while fire forming?​

Yes I understand the original question, no need for big bold letters like I’m an idiot. You answered the OP question very well.

My post is simply sharing a small experience for those readers whom may not be sure if they need to shoot the case several times before doing load work.

 

[6BRA]

Yes I understand the original question, no need for big bold letters like I’m an idiot. You answered the OP question very well.

My post is simply sharing a small experience for those readers whom may not be sure if they need to shoot the case several times before doing load work.

I didnt put it in bold. LOL. Relax...dont care to argue. I simply copied the OP's original header question. He put it in bold. All good here.

 

[Rick300]

I don't see why you couldn't do seating depth testing while fire forming.

 

[Lynn313]

Thanks for all the responses. This is the best shooting rifle I’ve fired and I was wondering about using so much of my barrel life fire forming without working on a load. I appreciate all the good feedback you’ll are kind enough to share!
Lynn

 

[moondog]

Agree on wasting barrel life forming.
On my first BRA, I started to mix in some some load development after 100 rounds.
Now, I use the shot out barrel for fireforming brass and doing some pest control.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I don't know about those 109s. Though
Nice looking rig too!!!!

 

[MDT6BRA]

I have seen some really good groups fire forming and then just small adjustments after forming is done, maybe I just got luck idk

 

[jackieschmidt]

No.

The level of accuracy that a 6BRA is capable of demands everything be as close to perfect as possible.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

What Jackie said

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have seen some really good groups fire forming and then just small adjustments after forming is done, maybe I just got luck idk

I've shot some tiny groups fire forming. Tiny.

 

[Lynn313]

No.

The level of accuracy that a 6BRA is capable of demands everything be as close to perfect as possible.

I didn’t do much thinking before posing this question. My apologies to all. As much as I would like to get started in haste I overlooked the obvious. The feedback has been kind in not pointing this out as plainly as it could be. I’m not just new to the BR family. This is also my 1st to fireform that has a significant change in case capacity. In hindsight I couldn’t do serious load development before my case capacity is close to where it will remain which will be after fire forming brass. More than One member posed that I fire form during matches. We have a small group that meets about an hour away and access to 1000 yds. This rifle is so accurate while fire forming I can use my dope from fire forming and compete while fire forming. After posting the question the thought that I should keep the charge the same during the fire forming came up. Even if there is a different charge that might be a little better for fire forming than my 29.0 Varget, the charge appears to be doing a good job. I now would think being consistent while fire forming would be the best way.
This barrel is either the most accurate/precise I have ever shot or at least in a tie with one other barrel/cartridge. The other required no fire forming. I think in the desire to do more than fire form with this awesome shooting barrel I asked the members a question before thinking it through. I appreciate all the kind professional advice and suggestions and will try not to be so quick to post a question in the future. I definitely have a lot to learn.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Many times FFing can produce small groups. I suggest doing it at some local matches. It would support the clubs promoting them, get you out of the house for some good BSing, and since you would be FFing, you would have a built-in excuse if you suck.....

Regards
Rick