6BRA build opinions

[dgeesaman]

Getting them cut from your fired brass will have a similar chance of being "off" as based on a reamer print(think tolerances, and measurement accuracy). They will get measured off of fired brass, which may have different amounts of springback based on how consistently annealed they were before firing, and the amount of pressure when fired. And as Jim O'hara has explained, the factory (yes even lapua) doesnt anneal very consistently. As he found annealing before fire forming dasher brass got rid of most, if not all his split case issues.

Whidden has a good reputation for making excellent dies, both from fired brass and reamer prints. And they have made a few for me off of my prints, and they have all been spot on. But your mileage may vary.

Thanks for your input the die thing has had me scratching my head a bit. I do appreciate the tolerance thing and based on my 6ppc loading experience I will be surprised if the brass forms fully on the first firing. So I think I’ll want to neck size some brass and fire them 3 times, then send the ones that click on bolt open or get out my mics and sort the largest ones.

In any case, the Wheeler #1 appears to be a “standard” 6BRA profile for Whidden and if it’s not a great fit to my Wheeler #1 reamed chamber, they will allow me to exchange it for a true custom. That mostly solves concerns I had about getting a great die fit.

David

 

[dgeesaman]

I like your whole build list. Go with a repeater action to match the stock. Feeding may be an issue but not one you can't adjust yourself. As stated if you are spending this much get the action you want. I have an Origin and zero complaints but there may be a wish to upgrade for stiffness, features or looks so just get what you want the first time. Your action will never wear out so it's a lifetime investment.

Good luck and enjoy the anticipation... it's like christmas for grown ups.

With any luck it will strongly resemble this Sako Quad build I finished this fall. Bix'n Andy single stage trigger set around 10oz, Lilja 17HMR barrel, Zeiss Conquest 5-20x50 scope, and GRS Hybrid stock in "Nordic Wolf" color pattern. This Quad is almost done - still needs a threaded barrel and suppressor...

 

[Berger King]

If you are wanting to go with a magazine fed repeater using AI type mags all you need to do is buy primal rights mag kits for 6BR/BRA and insert them into AI mags. Mine feed like butter and I run the heavies long without any issues.

 

[dgeesaman]

I’m just learning about the world of Rem 700 mags and I don’t know what kind yet. The stock comes BDL inletted. To start I was looking at the H&S kit which is available for 6BR.

 

[22DASHER]

I’m just learning about the world of Rem 700 mags and I don’t know what kind yet. The stock comes BDL inletted. To start I was looking at the H&S kit which is available for 6BR.

You would be much better off just having any smith open up that stock inlet for the M5 bottom metal. Then the bottom metal and magazine options are endless. Don’t limit yourself to the H&S kit.... it won’t work in your favor. I’ve been down that road before.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

You would be much better off just having any smith open up that stock inlet for the M5 bottom metal. Then the bottom metal and magazine options are endless. Don’t limit yourself to the H&S kit.... it won’t work in your favor. I’ve been down that road before.

Is this kit different than the HS Precision bottom metal? Thanks.

 

[22DASHER]

yes

 

[linebaugh]

If you are wanting to go with a magazine fed repeater using AI type mags all you need to do is buy primal rights mag kits for 6BR/BRA and insert them into AI mags. Mine feed like butter and I run the heavies long without any issues.

I bought one of these kits due to reading that on here and it was worse than the standard mag for feeding. Absolutely not sying they don't work, rather, they just didnt work for me.

What is working for me I found as a fluke. I am using 5 round AI mags with the 419 extender. They hold twn rounds now and feed beautifully without a spacer. Again this is my gun (Curtis Axiom and MPA chassis) and I don't doubt the mag kits work cor others as I have seen it. Point being you will find a mag combo that will feed.

 

[dgeesaman]

If you are wanting to go with a magazine fed repeater using AI type mags all you need to do is buy primal rights mag kits for 6BR/BRA and insert them into AI mags. Mine feed like butter and I run the heavies long without any issues.

Doing some reading since yesterday and a APA bottom metal / AICS mags / Primal Rights mag kit seem like a great solution.

David

 

[Puzzaz01]

Hello everyone, this coming year I'm building my first custom rifle. Purpose is informal shooting for accuracy 400+ yards. It will be a non-walking varmint rifle for larger critters (not p-dogs). I've never competed behind a trigger but I might attend some groundhog shoots so I can get my butt kicked by better wind readers. Based on all that I was thinking of a 6BR but after seeing how 6BRA boosts performance using only another grain or two of powder and light fireforming, I went that way.

I have a JGS reamer in Wheeler #1 with .271 neck now on order. Other build features will be:
Krieger barrel, 1:8, probably 5R
Bix'n Andy two stage trigger
GRS Hybrid stock
"custom" action. Haven't decided exactly yet.

I want to decide on some of the long-lead items soon.

Q1: What barrel profile would you consider here? Remington Varmint seems straightforward. If my barrel weighs 5 lb or less the total rig should be around 10lb which is reasonable. I also don't want a very front-heavy rifle so I'm thinking 26" should generate solid ballistics.

Q2: How to select an action? Single vs. repeater, Defiance Tenacity vs Kelbly Atlas vs Stiller Predator Short vs Bighorn Origin vs something else. So far it seems I don't want to go above $1000. If it's repeater, can I feed rounds up to 107gr that touch the lands?

Q3: Should I order and have two barrels made right away? I plan on using a noted benchrest gunsmith in my area and of course he stays busy.

If by chance, you decide to go another route (chambering) I'd be interested in your reamer.

Darrin

 

[dgeesaman]

If by chance, you decide to go another route (chambering) I'd be interested in your reamer.

Darrin

So far I'm still on track, but thanks. Bought a box of Lapua 105gr 6BR already and the loaded necks are between .268 and .266. So that .271 neck size seems quite safe with the latest Lapua brass. If the future brass comes in thicker I'll just give it a light skim.

 

[KenOath]

So far I'm still on track, but thanks. Bought a box of Lapua 105gr 6BR already and the loaded necks are between .268 and .266. So that .271 neck size seems quite safe with the latest Lapua brass. If the future brass comes in thicker I'll just give it a light skim.

Loaded necks between .268 and .266”? .266” is a little on the small side for unturned necks...

 

[dgeesaman]

Loaded necks between .268 and .266”? .266” is a little on the small side for unturned necks...

I measured a few more, more carefully.

They taper smoothly from the shoulder (.270-.2695) down to (.2665-.2670) at the mouth.

This is a box of Lapua 4316047 / GB542 6BR Norma 105 Scenar.

David

 

[X-Caveman]

Doing some reading since yesterday and a APA bottom metal / AICS mags / Primal Rights mag kit seem like a great solution.

David

If mag feeding is a priority, call Jim Borden and ask about the Super Short 6. It’s designed from the ground up to feed the 6BR parent cases. In fact, much like the previous advice on Kelbly’s (which I agree with) you may consider calling Borden anyway. You won’t be able to get to that $1,000 figure, but I bet you could get something really nice for $1,200. And, if you send him your trigger, it will show up timed with a neutral handoff and plenty of pin fall for no additional charge. It may not even be necessary to send the trigger to ensure timing, but I did, and it couldn’t hurt. He just built me a RBLPRE mag fed mountaineer. Sako extractor, pinned lug and rail for a little under $1,400 delivered. It’s slick & exactly what I wanted. I’d argue it’s a pretty good value, too.

 

[dgeesaman]

If mag feeding is a priority, call Jim Borden and ask about the Super Short 6. It’s designed from the ground up to feed the 6BR parent cases. In fact, much like the previous advice on Kelbly’s (which I agree with) you may consider calling Borden anyway. You won’t be able to get to that $1,000 figure, but I bet you could get something really nice for $1,200. And, if you send him your trigger, it will show up timed with a neutral handoff and plenty of pin fall for no additional charge. It may not even be necessary to send the trigger to ensure timing, but I did, and it couldn’t hurt. He just built me a RBLPRE mag fed mountaineer. Sako extractor, pinned lug and rail for a little under $1,400 delivered. It’s slick & exactly what I wanted. I’d argue it’s a pretty good value, too.

A short action with mags to suit the short .308 base cartridges is worth spending more for.

David

 

[dgeesaman]

Talked with Jim Borden today and ended up placing a deposit on a Super Short 6. Action price is $1265, and I'll need to add a scope rail, bottom metal, magazine.
- He still wants to install Bix'n Andy triggers himself. Should fit with a standard height sear but he's not convinced that every B&A will always fit every Borden action perfectly. I'm fine with that.
- His rifle chambering and finishing services aren't the cheapest, but I'm considering having Borden do it all anyway: chamber, assemble, crown the muzzle, thread end and install a flush brake. Ready for bedding and then mount glass and shoot. It's under a 3 hour drive to their shop for me and he puts priority on smithing rifles that involve a new Borden action. So I'll save significant shipping $, FFL transfer, and lead time vs. getting my own chambering specialist involved with his wait time. And I've learned that shipping always involves risk of damage.
- He's in the final stages of sourcing the short 6 AICS magazines, but he hopes they'll be under $100 each.
- He's fun to talk with - I'm a mechanical engineer myself and he entertained a few of my questions.

Random seater die question: has anyone had a Wilson/Sinclair Micro Adjust seater die cut with their custom reamer? If so, what seater did you start with? (I'm talking about the Sinclair model with the .0005" increments).

David

 

[newbieshooter]

Random seater die question: has anyone had a Wilson/Sinclair Micro Adjust seater die cut with their custom reamer? If so, what seater did you start with? (I'm talking about the Sinclair model with the .0005" increments).

David

i've had one cut before - but not with the Sinclair/Wilson micro adjust die (unless they now have blanks). I got a Wilson 6mm blank -> like this one.

 

[dgeesaman]

i've had one cut before - but not with the Sinclair/Wilson micro adjust die (unless they now have blanks). I got a Wilson 6mm blank -> like this one.

That option is a truly excellent seater too. I like the Sinclair better so I feel compelled to explore it.

David

 

[mikeeg02]

Wilson said it could be done when I talked to them about a year ago, but their biggest concerns were reassembly, and making sure the bottom edge not be left sharp. Apparently they can be hard to get back together. They get quite a few sent back to them that need put together again lol. If I was going to do it, I would do it with a 6br seater. But since I havent yet I've just been using their micro adjust dasher seater. No modifications necessary. Works great.

 

[Boatschool02]

Wilson will let you swap/upgrade the seating stem to "VLD" (a +/- $20 option, otherwise) when purchasing a new blank online. They'll also ship directly to your gunsmith. Can't promise a tangible accuracy increase, but I like them enough to have switched all of my seaters over.