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6BR or BRA

jakelly

Gents, I need a little wisdom from guys that have BTDT. I am thinking about chambering a 7" twist barrel in one these two. I am a precision hunter first and foremost, I strive for practical shooting and field accuracy. I don't chase benchrest accuracy, I would rather have wide nodes and loads that shoot 1/2 MOA for 1000 rounds than loads that shoot 1/4 MOA and require frequent adjustment. Generally I build with speed, barrel life, component quality and availability, and other practical concerns in mind. I want a fun rifle that deviates somewhat from that form. Some relevant points:
  • I have 2lbs of H4895, 19lbs of IMR 8208 XBR, and 8lbs of CFE223
  • I really don't want to fireform- Alpha brass for the BRA is the only reason this is a two horse race
  • I think the BRA has a slight raw accuracy advantage, I like the thought of the BRA better, but my components seem to favor the BR
  • I've got thousands of coated RBT Dtacs and probably ~700 105 Hybrids
  • I've got about 5k SRPs (3-450s 2-BR4s)
  • I have no dies or brass for either
  • I do not care about velocity- at all
Couple questions from the research I've done so far:
  • Seems like 8208 XBR gives plenty of accuracy in both cases, but gets very spikey if you try to push for higher velocity with heavy bullets. Should I find a slower powder?
  • What velocity would you expect from a 20" barrel and 115 Dtac using IMR 8208 XBR?
  • What case fill % should I expect with a 105 or 115 and the XBR?
  • Does either case generally show wider nodes?
I would like some input from guys with more experience. Help me hit the easier button.
 
Either one will do fine for what you’re trying to do. However if you’re feeding from a mag you might consider something a bit longer like a dasher or a 6GT. Both of which now have factory brass.
 
I agree with Alex 100%. The 6 Creedmoor, especially with Alliant RL16, has those wide nodes you want. I have a 6 Creedmoor, 6BR and 6BRA and quite a bit of experience with all three. For hunting the 6 Creedmoor should outperform the other two with 115 grain bullets and recoil from field positions likely won't feel any different to you.
Now, to answer strictly to your question, I would choose 6BR over BRA. It is my personal preference based on my personal experiences. It has simply been easier for me to find excellent accuracy with 6BR across a wider range of powders and bullets.
 
Rifle is mag fed, I have MDT BR mags ordered. I also have a 6 creed barrel for this rifle and a separate mag fed Comp Match tactical rifle. 6x47, 243, 6mm, 6XC, I've owned most of them at this point. I've got a stable full of nice hunting / tactical rifles. I'm looking for easy, very accurate, and fun with this barrel.

Seems like the BR is the right choice, the Dtacs might not be, but the BR seems a better fit. Might have to find some vaportrails at some point.

With a 105 in the BR what % of case fill should 8208 give me?
 
jakelly said:
Rifle is mag fed, I have MDT BR mags ordered. I also have a 6 creed barrel for this rifle and a separate mag fed Comp Match tactical rifle. 6x47, 243, 6mm, 6XC, I've owned most of them at this point. I've got a stable full of nice hunting / tactical rifles. I'm looking for easy, very accurate, and fun with this barrel.

Seems like the BR is the right choice, the Dtacs might not be, but the BR seems a better fit. Might have to find some vaportrails at some point.

With a 105 in the BR what % of case fill should 8208 give me?
Click to expand...
Slightly off topic. Did you back order the mags or have you found them instock?
 
You need to clarify a few things. You say you're a precision hunter first, (for what?)
but you listed target bullets that you want to use.
A 7.5 twist is all that's needed for the 115's or lighter.
You could go to a 6Dasher, 6xc, 6x47 or 6GT. If you're looking for something different.
All field accurate.
The 6BR and 6BRA are the slowest (by very little) and will have the longest barrel life.
 
That's my background. That's what and why I've built what I've built in the past. This barrel/rifle is a deviation from my that MO. I want something fun, cheap, super accurate, easy, etc this will not be a hunting rifle (aside from occasional varmint opportunities).
 
Ranger188 said:
You need to clarify a few things. You say you're a precision hunter first, (for what?)
but you listed target bullets that you want to use.
A 7.5 twist is all that's needed for the 115's or lighter.
You could go to a 6Dasher, 6xc, 6x47 or 6GT. If you're looking for something different.
All field accurate.
The 6BR and 6BRA are the slowest (by very little) and will have the longest barrel life.
Click to expand...
I can't honestly remember if the Kreiger barrel is 7.5 or 7 twist.
 
All your bolts are on the wrong side!
;)
I have a Krieger 6mm blank with 7 twist. It's been hanging around here a while because I just have not decided what it should be used for.
 
Looks like you got the hunting stuff covered. Why not build a competition rifle if you want something fun and accurate? Got to have some f class or br matches around you somewhere.
 
That’s kind of what I’m doing with this barrel / rifle. The stock is an A6a, barrel channel is straight for swaps, has a three way adjustable butt pad, DBM, and a Bighorn Origin; I want to have a rifle or barrel I can play, practice, and compete (if I get a chance) with. I really like the thought of this 6BR, seems easy. I just wasn’t sure which direction to start.
 
shoot4fun said:
All your bolts are on the wrong side!
;)
I have a Krieger 6mm blank with 7 twist. It's been hanging around here a while because I just have not decided what it should be used for.
Click to expand...
Nope,.. ALL, his Bolts are on, the RIGHT side,.. as I, "see it" ! Those are some very Sweet lookin' Rifles !
That, 7 Twist, 6mm Barrel you have, would be, a GOOD candidate for, a smokin' Hot, 6 mm SLR,.. shooting, the 110's and 115's !
 
Alex Wheeler said:
If you have a 7tw and plan to run 115s Id look at a 6 creed also. I think you would be hard pressed to see a difference in a BR vs a BRA based on what your looking to do.
Click to expand...
@ jakelly,.. your 7 Twist Barrel, screams for,..108 to 115 grain Bullets, but your Powder, is USELESS for, those weights ! WISE ole', Alex, is RIGHT you want to build BIGGER, like, a 6 Creed, 6 XC or 6 SLR to use THAT 1-7 twist Barrel for, the "Heavies" that, it was, intended for. My 1-7.5 TW, 6 XC Barrel shoots, the 80 to 108's,. PERFECTLY !
Good Luck with,.. YOUR, "choice" !
 
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