6BR Brass Question

[DeerHunter82]

How many loads can you realistically expect off of Lapua 6BR brass that has been annealed regularly?

 

[fayettefatts]

I have a batch of 100 that has been fired 20 times. Lost 3 or 4 due to split necks. I only anneal after 5 reloads. Hope to get a few more!!

 

[mikecr]

6BR case life is no different than from any other .473 case head.

 

[dusterdave173]

I went 4 loads on some new brass--then annealed for first time--the next resizing went a lot easier--much more consistent --one pull count to three and they measured on the $
Before might have to lean on the handle etc--shooting them next week will see on target
I sure hope they will last a long time--looks like they may have too

 

[mjl650]

In a 6BRA I have a batch with 18 firings and still going strong. Annealed after each firing. I have lost a few to loose primer pockets.

 

[rwj]

I have a Lapua lot that has been fired over 50 times. They were flame annealed every 3rd/4th firing until I bought an AMP machine after the 35th firing cycle. No losses due to split necks, but resizing at the .200 line is now difficult due to spring back of the work hardened material which is causing “clickers.” I’m a recreational/hobby shooter.

 

[JMayo]

BRA .....
Until pockets get loose.
I shot the same brass 4yrs of constant matches and barrels every year and it was still going but i had done allot to it the last year trying to make it like new. So much brass had flowed to the sholder the walls were thin. I decided to go new out of caution. 3 hundred cases about 100 firings 30.6 varget .... That's the low node i believe. I might have lost 5 due to neck split. Annealing every time.

 

[60723]

Anneal every time. Got 29-30 with last barrel shooting 29.4 grains Varget and 105 hybrid

 

[Mike TackleBerry]

How many loads can you realistically expect off of Lapua 6BR brass that has been annealed regularly?

20 reloads or the barrel whichever gives out first! I always use new brass for new barrels!

 

[saunaking]

If you don't hotrod the case, anneal after every firing, have good headspace, you can easily get 25 firings on the brass. Retired some brass last year that had over 30 firings on it.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Please without a Storm, how many firings for those not annealing?

 

[mmcu]

Please without a Storm, how many firings for those not annealing?

With Lapua Gold Box brass, I get between 15 and 17 firings before the necks start splitting.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

So many variables, theres just not a clear cut answer for the op.chamber and die dimensions are factors and how much you bump shoulders, but the biggie is how hot you load. Ime, Lapua holds up better than all others but you can get good life out of other brands, if you don't push it too hard.

 

[bozo699]

How many loads can you realistically expect off of Lapua 6BR brass that has been annealed regularly?

Idk the answer on straight 6br brass but on 6brx annealing after every firing shooting hot loads 34.5 gr of Varget with 105’s I’ve got over 30 loadings, I retired it from competitive use at 30 but still use it for groundhogs, no split necks but the primer pockets are about gone.
Wayne

 

[DeerHunter82]

Awesome feedback. I appreciate it, everyone.

 

[Dgd6mm]

At a $1.50 a piece and 30 firings minimum that's 5 cents a piece to load.
Not shabby, we definitely get our money's worth out of it.

 

[Webster]

How many loads can you realistically expect off of Lapua 6BR brass that has been annealed regularly?

I have over 20 reloads on my Lapua 6BR brass. since 2009 maybe 5 spit necks. The first few years I didn't anneal. Now I do it maybe every other firing. 58 Hornady 33.3 gr of 8208 3585 fps. necks turned to 0.0125". .265 bushing. I noticed after length trimming if you look at the cut surface you can see a fine black line where the neck is just beginning to crack. At this point you cannot see any hint of cracking on the side of the neck.

 

[Murray Brook]

I have appx 20 firings on the lot of laupa 6BR I am now using. Primer pockets are still tight ( 64 gr bullet with 32.2 grs N-135 -Vel 3450 ft/sec) and the rest of the case looks good.

 

[mikecr]

Please without a Storm, how many firings for those not annealing?

The split necks and annealing band aid often declared is simply from too much up/down sizing.
If your neck clearance is not in excess, and your sizing is rational, you will never get split necks, even without frequent (or maybe any) annealing.

It is similar with web clearance/sizing. Avoid excess of it, choose an action allowing a strong breech, and pockets should not loosen near SAAMI max.

These are choices, and why nobody can really say how long brass can last.
With a plan, you could choose to fit a chamber to cases, for a strong build action, limit your cartridge to SAAMI max, end FL sizing, and make brass last forever for you, your kids, your grand kids.

 

[COLT45SA]

Not 6-BR but 6-PPC. I had a chat with a fellow who shot with his father. He told me that his father never annealed and had cases that had be reloaded 40+ times and was still using them~!