6BR brass life - old box vs. Blue ???

[eww1350]

I don't think Tony Boyer is going to stop shooting the 6ppc in favor of the .220 Russian nor Dean Breeden is moving over to the 6BR from a 30BR for score...DO YOU...!

 

[JohnMill]

eww- as long as we are throwing around figures try 4million hunters to 4,600 BR shooters. Don't succumb to tunnel vision just because this is our favorite.

 

[KevinThomas]

Well, it's no secret that the 6mm PPC has already been discussed many times, as has 30BR. So far, the consensus we get from the vast majority of benchrest shooters is that they'd rather do it themselves. Especially given the proliferation of different chambers out there, each cut to some shooters idea of what might give him an edge over the competition. They're all going to be reworking the brass to some (significant) degree anyway, and this is undoubtedly the one competitive game wherein the shooters want more control over their components than any other. What BR shooters would generally cull, frequently goes right into the ammo box for most other competitive disciplines, and doesn't make the slightest bit of difference in those applications.

As to the Grendal, we produced that for an OEM customer who orders very large lots for their own ammunition line. There was enough of a demand for the brass as a component that we decided to offer it to reloaders. But it wasn't one that we set out to introduce, to champion or otherwise adopt for ourselves. JohnMill has it right; 4 million hunters, over 36,000 NRA-HP and LR competitive shooters, 4,600 BR shooters.

 

[North Fork]

Kevin i want the 221 fire ball brass for my 20 vartag along with a hole lot of other people, I will be at the shot show and and talk to them also.

 

[KevinThomas]

North Fork,

Stop on by and introduce yourself! I'll be there and am looking forward to the trip.

You're a good example of what I mentioned earlier here. The 221 has a following, but there's probably at least as many who want it for reforming purposes. Not a problem at all!

 

[gzig5]

Kevin,
Has any thought been given to the 6.8 SPC? I shoot a 6mm wildcat on that case across the course and the small primer brass I've used so far leaves a lot to be desired. When Lapua brought out the 22-250 brass, they just about satisfied all my high quality brass needs. 222 Mag would be nice as well.
Greg

 

[KevinThomas]

Greg,
the 6.8 has been discussed, but I didn't get the feeling that it had much of a chance right now. Too many others that are being requested by a broader field of shooters for the time being. Seen some competitive wildcats based on thsi case that looked interesting, so I wouldn't mind seeing it myself.

The 222 Mag hasn't had many requests, but the 204 Ruger has. I suppose you could reform (assuming the length was there), but that's sort'a the long way 'round the barn! I'll keep you posted if I hear anything more.

 

[johara1]

Kevin, If you had to adj. neck wall thickness for the CIP regs. why would you make it .010 shorter? Chambers are 1.570 and the brass is running 1.555 or less......jim

 

[johara1]

Kevin, I bet the 40,000+ target shooter use more brass than all the hunters out there and i would bet 90% of them don't know Lapua makes brass, they go to Wallmart..........jim

 

[fullersson]

Kevin,

I would just like say thank you for listening to our wants, needs, and complaints and for responding to all the post with a positive attitude that represents Lapua very well. Thank you, Brian Brown.

 

[KevinThomas]

Jim,

The change to the shorter length was actually done quite some time back, long before I came to work for Lapua, so I wasn't around for that decision. Frankly, I have no idea. I'd guess it was simply running the cases back to a trim-to length, which is normally about .010"-.015" under chamber length.

Ahhh, the Wal-Mart crowd. Let's not go there.

 

[JohnHenry]

+ 4645 for the 221 Fireball . Probably all 4645 saubier.com members would like to see the fireball for 221, 20 Vartarg, 17 Mach IV, etc.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I thought the .221 Fireball brass marked Dakota was Lapua, just headstamped for Dakota?

 

[johara1]

Kevin, That seems strange about the length of the old 6BR cases. The brass i received from dealers right up to the time the blue box brass came out was long. The length was an average 1.565 and some was 1.570,so it went down to 1.555 or less with the blue box brass. All brass was through venders from this site.......jim

 

[CoverDog]

Kevin, That seems strange about the length of the old 6BR cases. The brass i received from dealers right up to the time the blue box brass came out was long. The length was an average 1.565 and some was 1.570,so it went down to 1.555 or less with the blue box brass. All brass was through venders from this site.......jim

I posted the following on March 3, 2011

Reloading Forum (All Calibers) / Lapua 6BR brass...Old vs New
« on: 09:11 PM, 03/04/11 »

I just measured some "new" paper box brass and some new "Blue" box. I know of the neck thickness issues with the new but I was surprised to find the following:

The new Blue box brass I have has the shoulder set back .003" compared to the old brass. 1.068" old case / 1.065" new case. This was measured in a Hornady head space gauge with Sinclair SS inserts. And the OAL was 1.556 old brass 1.553 new brass

 

[Taildrag15X]

I've never seen any Dakota 221 brass. Sure you're not thinking of the 20 Tactical that Lapua made for Dakota? It's the best brass of any cartridge by any manufacturer that I've ever used. And it's cheap.

Yup Dave your are right, the ole CRS kicked in big time....I had to dig to find it, never did finish the build, just gathered all the pieces like a good squirrel!

 

[johara1]

I would guess the lot to lot is the problem, i never measured the shoulder. I only do the Dasher cases so case length is what i'm having an issue with, it all ready cost me a reamer with the change.........jim

 

[Hanbleceya]

No problems at all with the "new" blue box. As Danny said, hype. Reformed some from 6BR to 6 BRX & those cases now have 27 loadings on them & have not lost one yet. Others left as 6 BR now have 12 to 17 loadings & are trouble free.

27! I'm up to 20. Isn't that extraordinary case life?!

 

[swd]

7 year old thread... His brass and barrel have probably been replaced a few times by now.

 

[fm1947]

My 6BR lapua brass has 35 reloads, I just ordered new box of brass, no real reason wife placed 2nd in a 300 yard match last year, but what the heck I got my money out of them, I will use them to test hot loads or something, I wore out one barrel with that brass on a second barrel.