6BRA brass life

[pat fulghum]

I decided to section some 6BRA brass (lapua) that has 26 reloads and has treated me very well in mid range f class.

I did this just to check for any signs of failure.

Take a look at photo.

The brass is full length sized but the sizer just kisses it on the body and .001 shoulder bump.

I think it will still last for a while.

 

[22DASHER]

Damn near forever is one way to put it.

 

[foxguy]

Looking really good for 25+ firings.

 

[pat fulghum]

I had 3 different IMs asking how often I annealed them.

I do have a very nice annealer, but I don't anneal my 6BRAI brass.... this is my thinking...

I only bump .001
I run with .0015 clearance in the neck.
I seat with only .0005 neck tension.

So the brass sees very little movement, and the load is not very "hot".

Also, this set of 100 pieces started out in early 2017, they have been "sorted" on the firing line by any unexplained flyer results in the brass getting retired to the weeds.

There are only 82 (now 81) pieces left from that batch of 100.
​

-pat

p.s. I have started to apply this high tech sorting theory to 284 brass with some success in controlling my ES.​

 

[urbanrifleman]

No donut. What kind of sizer?

 

[Link]

How about loose primer pockets :{ Mine got loose after about 5 firings.

 

[pat fulghum]

No donut
Pockets still hold primer fine. Not as tight as new, but no leakage

 

[urbanrifleman]

No donut
Pockets still hold primer fine. Not as tight as new, but no leakage

Bushing die?

 

[dmoran]

Chamber match up to the original brass specializations, and die match up to both, are huge determining factors.
And of course, how hard we hit em'.

Have 6Dasher's that are at +50 firings, but also have destroyed primer pockets in less then 5 firings.
A lot of variables play into brass life.

 

[pat fulghum]

My die is a custom Whidden FL bushing die made from twice fired brass...the first firing was sized with a Harrell dasher die.

My 6bra reamer is very close to wheeler spec, but not exact.

 

[johara1]

These results are not uncommon with Lapua, that have been annealed every time and have 100+ firings...... jim

 

[urbanrifleman]

These results are not uncommon with Lapua, that have been annealed every time and have 100+ firings...... jim

How many pieces do you reload 100 times?

 

[johara1]

depends, I use to do 2-300, now I don't shoot as much and a 100 will do me plus the old ones for testing.... they don't wear out, unless you destroy them.... jim

 

[johara1]

How about loose primer pockets :{ Mine got loose after about 5 firings.

I found loose primers pockets in new brass. I do nothing to them till after I fire form and some are very easy to seat and they sure never get tighter ..... jim

 

[urbanrifleman]

depends, I use to do 2-300, now I don't shoot as much and a 100 will do me plus the old ones for testing.... they don't wear out, unless you destroy them.... jim

How long does it take you to shoot 10000 rounds?

 

[JMayo]

Benchrest only.

I also have 6bra brass that has 20 + firings. I use varget at 30.6.

I bought 200 new after my first yr thinking I'd need to. The first 200 I started using for sighters, did get harder and spring back became a real problem. Id have to adjust die up and down, measuring constantly.
I had them annealed and they came back good as the new.
I've probably tossed 3 for pockets, 3 for me dinging case mouth and a few for testers on my annealer.
My newest have 8-10 firings.

I think those that have loose pockets on their brass could be grinding out the pockets cleaning them. It doesn't take much to knock out the rims. I watch for brass particles. Ease up, get the crudd not the brass.
(I don't uniform the pockets)

 

[johara1]

How long does it take you to shoot 10000 rounds?

Didn't take long years ago, I really don't count bullets easier to count the barrels I go throughout I shot the same cases for over 7 years as a Dasher and even sold the cases and for all I know they are still going, now I'm into the 6br imp. and I just changed neck thickness and will have to make new brass. .... BTW. I shoot almost every day, my range is 40 ft away.... jim

 

[JMayo]

I shoot an easy 2k a year so that is 5 yrs worth of shooting for me !

I smile thinking I won't have to buy brass for 5 yrs !

 

[johara1]

I shoot an easy 2k a year so that is 5 yrs worth of shooting for me !

I smile thinking I won't have to buy brass for 5 yrs !

If you don't abuse them and your die and chamber are close and you don't over work them and you anneal you are good to go. Never lost a case for loose primer pockets or split necks after they were forumed I did have one that split in the body half way up the side from a flaw...... most were lost from hitting the concrete or dinging the case mouth in the press...... jim

 

[dmoran]

^^^^ agree with Jim, except one aspect .... you don't have to anneal .... some do, some don't