Alpha 6 PPC pressure test

[Eric Leonard]

I've got a .274 reamer but on Lapua I still have to turn! On Alpha I use a .273 and loaded round is .2695 to .270

That sounds like the easy button , just load and shoot it

 

[Bronsin]

My same load, may be different lot, mine is 18 I'm pretty sure.

Lot 18 here too.

 

[Shooter13]

That sounds like the easy button , just load and shoot it

Exactly, I like easy, I'll be fire forming at Jackies this month!

 

[dgeesaman]

I got some Alpha today and the necks are .0127/.0130 thick so by my math that'll be a hair under .270 loaded. So that is another data point that agrees with Eric.

 

[Eric Leonard]

Exactly, I like easy, I'll be fire forming at Jackies this month!

I’m gonna shoot last years bbl and Norma brass up there 1 more time then I’m gonna switch barrel and brass

 

[WyleWD]

Lastly, Pat from PMA has told me, do not try and cut the pockets, they’re that hard, you want the carbon out you need a new tool.

I contacted Alpha on how best and least invasive way to clean their primer pockets without using a cutter or uniformer. They responded with this:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1458328046?pid=798468

Works just fine. IME. WD

 

[Jerry Wick]

Lastly, Pat from PMA has told me, do not try and cut the pockets, they’re that hard, you want the carbon out you need a new tool.

I didn't like how much force it took to seat Federal primers. I actually broke the handle on my trusty old Lee primer seater. I used my Sinclair carbide primer pocket uniformer and opened them up. It barely skimmed the diameter and uniformed the bottom inside corner where there had been a smaller diameter ridge before.

Now, when seating, they are still a bit tighter than Lapua brass, but it's not excessive like before. And without that ridge, the primer seats smoothly all the way to the bottom of the pocket.

 

[TRSR8]

I didn't like how much force it took to seat Federal primers. I actually broke the handle on my trusty old Lee primer seater. I used my Sinclair carbide primer pocket uniformer and opened them up. It barely skimmed the diameter and uniformed the bottom inside corner where there had been a smaller diameter ridge before.

Now, when seating, they are still a bit tighter than Lapua brass, but it's not excessive like before. And without that ridge, the primer seats smoothly all the way to the bottom of the pocket.

Easy, buy a good seater. Proper tool, zero issues.
FWIW, there is now a primer pocket tool specific for Alpha brass..

 

[Jerry Wick]

Easy, buy a good seater. Proper tool, zero issues.
FWIW, there is now a primer pocket tool specific for Alpha brass..

That doesn't solve the unusual way the primers seat in the pockets with that ridge in the bottom. I didn't like it, so I made a change. The Alpha primer pocket isn't anything magical. It's just got to hold the primer and be consistent from case to case.

Just because it's old and cheap doesn't mean the Lee tool isn't "proper". It does a fine job and I've got several. Good enough for teen aggs and tiny groups.

Everybody is free to go their own way.

 

[dgeesaman]

Easy, buy a good seater. Proper tool, zero issues.
FWIW, there is now a primer pocket tool specific for Alpha brass..

Primer seater specifically for Alpha brass, 6BRA chamber specs specifically for Alpha brass, what’s next?

 

[ShtrRdy]

Speedy has a video where he shot an entire match with 31gr of 133 in Texas heat and never had one l get loose.
FWIW the base of that brass is much harder than Lapua.
I sold my gold box.

How do you even fit 31 grains of N133 in a 6PPC case?

 

[R.Morehouse]

How do you even fit 31 grains of N133 in a 6PPC case?

One LOOOOOOONG Arse drop tube.....

 

[Eric Leonard]

Primer seater specifically for Alpha brass, 6BRA chamber specs specifically for Alpha brass, what’s next?

Admittedly I’ve only loaded 3 cases 5 times but I haven’t had any trouble seating primers. It does feel like they’re seated before they actually are and you have to keep applying pressure until it feels like they seat again. But that doesn’t seem like a problem to me.

I didn’t do anything to the pockets , on these 3 cases ,,

 

[TRSR8]

Primer seater specifically for Alpha brass, 6BRA chamber specs specifically for Alpha brass, what’s next?

Nobody said anything about Alpha specific. I said quality, as in all metal….BR grade.
My Sinclair seats primers quite nicely and like many BR grade tools, you can adjust depthSome guys go with a bench mounted one. we.’ve come a long way from the old Lee’s. Ask the guy who lost fingers when the whole tray blew a while back.
Feel free to share this with “ the primer tool whisperer”.

 

[TRSR8]

How do you even fit 31 grains of N133 in a 6PPC case?

S l o w l y. Some guys are actually well over 31……3500+ fps.

 

[Codeman]

I've shot the Alpha brass at 3500+ fps, it holds up well. No problems seating primers with a 21st century hand primer. It does have to be trimmed for length A-lot the first time. And once after the 3rd firing, after that its about as often as Lapua.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I've shot the Alpha brass at 3500+ fps, it holds up well. No problems seating primers with a 21st century hand primer. It does have to be trimmed for length A-lot the first time. And once after the 3rd firing, after that it’s about as often as Lapua.

That would depend on the reamer you use.

 

[rayporter]

Jerry
if you are going to pitch that lee, i would take it for parts

ray

 

[Jerry Wick]

Jerry
if you are going to pitch that lee, i would take it for parts

ray

Sorry Ray, I have three of them(well, two plus parts now). No plans to change anytime soon.

 

[64Rambler]

I contacted Alpha on how best and least invasive way to clean their primer pockets without using a cutter or uniformer. They responded with this:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1458328046?pid=798468

Works just fine. IME. WD

I use this as well, without a handle. Case in one hand, brush in the other. A light spin oh each hand in each direction (forward/back, back/forward) knocks all the soot out of the pocket and leaves no scratches.