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6BR or BRA

6BR is a lot of fun and I don't know why more people don't hunt with it.

My 6BR was picked up in a trade, a trued Remington with a 1:8 twist 28" barrel. I don't sit and shoot a lot on paper but one of the first loads I tried were with the 105 Nosler CC and 26.0 8208 because I had it in the powder measure. It made a little ragged hole at 100 yards but I never checked velocity, just happy that I got a good deal on a rifle that would shoot. My guess would be right around 2600 based on Hodgdon data, and the 28" barrel.

Those are some nice rifles that you have already!
 
jakelly said:
  • 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?
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I've shot XBR8208 with 115 DTAC's in 6BRA, just messing around with practice loads. I think I was in the 2650 fps range with 27.5gr and a 26" barrel. I've used XBR with 105's a bit more too, speeds in the low 2800's with conservative loads. XBR is great for metering in a progressive press and I've found it accurate, but it won't make as much velocity as a slower powder like Varget or H4895.

With a 6BRA you're likely looking at 2600fps max with a 115 and 20" barrel, 60k PSI at 29gr of XBR. Fill ratio 91%. Fill ratio stays the same if you drop down to 6BR, less powder and a slower velocity though. Best option for shooting the 115's is likely Varget or H4895, could get closer to 2650fps in 6BRA.

IMO the 6BR or 6BRA is better matched with 105gr bullets, particularly if you're wanting to use XBR. You could probably run 6BRA around 30gr XBR with a 105 and get 2750 fps from the 20" barrel, 92-93% fill ratio.

Both 6BR and 6BRA are going to have wide nodes and be accurate, I'm partial to the 6BRA for the slightly extra case capacity and more efficient case shape with the 40 degree shoulder.
 
jakelly said:
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.
Click to expand...
Not familiar with FF the 6BRA but it's a great cartidge. I own a 6BR and a 6BRX for GH hunting. The 6BR is a great cartridge but if I was going to spend the money for a barrel it would be a 6BRX or 6BRA. They will give you great accuracy and easy load development. Both are good for 100-150 fps over the 6BR. The 6BRX is the easiest to FF just load and shoot. No false shoulders or other tricks.
 
Webster said:
Not familiar with FF the 6BRA but it's a great cartidge. I own a 6BR and a 6BRX for GH hunting. The 6BR is a great cartridge but if I was going to spend the money for a barrel it would be a 6BRX or 6BRA. They will give you great accuracy and easy load development. Both are good for 100-150 fps over the 6BR. The 6BRX is the easiest to FF just load and shoot. No false shoulders or other tricks.
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The easiest to fire form and make great cases is the BR imp. and it will run a 110 around 2920 with H4895 and H 4350 a .1 and under....... jim
 
dnellans said:
Jim - you're able to get over 2900 with a 110 and 4350? Are you using a drop tube to stuff 33+ grains in there?
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I don't stuff it in but I use a drop tube and I can get 34 plus in without compression filled to the neck shoulder area but not up in the neck..... Second is free bore and third is lot # of H4350..... couldn't make it work in the dasher but this lot of H4350 will work in the Br imp with 110's. I have had groups as small as .020 in two different barrels with the 110 A tips..... jim
 
Thats pretty smoking with both 4350 and 4895 - but good to know.

I run 109's but couldn't get into the 2900's with 4895 without hitting pressure, and never really gave 4350 a significant thought (assumed it was too slow). I've been happy with what varget has done in 26 inch barrels though, getting to 2925 for me without looking too hard on the brass and that seems to be the speed it wants to go.
 
dnellans said:
Thats pretty smoking with both 4350 and 4895 - but good to know.

I run 109's but couldn't get into the 2900's with 4895 without hitting pressure, and never really gave 4350 a significant thought (assumed it was too slow). I've been happy with what varget has done in 26 inch barrels though, getting to 2925 for me without looking too hard on the brass and that seems to be the speed it wants to go.
Click to expand...

Remember I said 110 SMK and 110 A tips,!09 are a toad compared to them. the 110's check out as close or closer than an custom bullet... My bud is running them at 2940 + with a BRX and they shoot in a hole with Varget... jim
 
johara1 said:
Remember I said 110 SMK and 110 A tips,!09 are a toad compared to them. the 110's check out as close or closer than an custom bullet... My bud is running them at 2940 + with a BRX and they shoot in a hole with Varget... jim
Click to expand...

Wish that had been my experience with the SMK 110's - 3 diff 7 twist barrels with the 110's and I couldn't get a single group under .75 for more than 4 shots even at 100. I really wanted to love them.
 
dnellans said:
Wish that had been my experience with the SMK 110's - 3 diff 7 twist barrels with the 110's and I couldn't get a single group under .75 for more than 4 shots even at 100. I really wanted to love them.
Click to expand...
Curious what powder and seating depth you used and what velocity you were getting. You had really poor results no doubt.
 
Link said:
What are the chances of this, and still have the accuracy of either one?

Don
Click to expand...

My 6 BRA fire form loads actually shot so good that I was kinda sad when I had to work up real loads for my formed brass.
 
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