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alpha brass

Clancy said:
Probably 500 posts on here about that but the alpha is smaller at the .200 and their brass cannot expand enough to grip the walls of a Lapua chamber because of the OCD technology- so you end up getting horrible pressure signs prematurely, and can’t get up to normal BRA speeds.

Myself and half a dozen or so friends have tried it with multiple reamers and it simply doesn’t work.

If you want to shoot alpha, that’s great, but get their Reamer.
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So you have to go with lapua brass with a wheeler chamber?
 
My 6BR brrass is almost all gold box Lapua. I use the same brass for 6BRX. All my 6BRA is Alpha and it works beautifully. I did just get some Alpha 6BR. and have a few Alpha Dasher cases for looksee to make into 6BRX. Measuring cases, I took 3 random of each and measured at .200". I've never had any blue box or recent Lapua, mine's all earlier stuff from years ago.

Lapua gold box 6BR - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6BR.................- .4688, .4688, .4688
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2020 - .468, .468, .468
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2024 - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6 Dasher bought 2024 -.468, .468, .468

This stuff is so close I don't see how there could be chamber problems. Now, a reamer spec sheet can say one thing and actually be a couple thou off. I've experienced chambers ( reamers) that weren't as spec'd and too tight in the web for some headstamps......my 22-250AI works with PMC and not Lapua, and .243AI that won't chamber Lapua or PMC. And a 22-204 so tight it wouldn't chamber anything. And then there's the variable of who cut the chamber, how much runout. .
 
I just got 100 alpha bra brass and i have a wheeler chamber with the reamer from jgs also so i guess im hoing to find out soon.
Just bought the brass a couple weeks ago
 
Ackman said:
My 6BR brrass is almost all gold box Lapua. I use the same brass for 6BRX. All my 6BRA is Alpha and it works beautifully. I did just get some Alpha 6BR. and have a few Alpha Dasher cases for looksee to make into 6BRX. Measuring cases, I took 3 random of each and measured at .200". I've never had any blue box or recent Lapua, mine's all earlier stuff from years ago.

Lapua gold box 6BR - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6BR.................- .4688, .4688, .4688
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2020 - .468, .468, .468
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2024 - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6 Dasher bought 2024 -.468, .468, .468

This stuff is so close I don't see how there could be chamber problems. Now, a reamer spec sheet can say one thing and actually be a couple thou off. I've experienced chambers ( reamers) that weren't as spec'd and too tight in the web for some headstamps......my 22-250AI works with PMC and not Lapua, and .243AI that won't chamber Lapua or PMC. And a 22-204 so tight it wouldn't chamber anything. And then there's the variable of who cut the chamber, how much runout. .
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I bet guys like Alex Wheeler and Jon Beanland just cut bad chambers…..
 
Ackman said:
My 6BR brrass is almost all gold box Lapua. I use the same brass for 6BRX. All my 6BRA is Alpha and it works beautifully. I did just get some Alpha 6BR. and have a few Alpha Dasher cases for looksee to make into 6BRX. Measuring cases, I took 3 random of each and measured at .200". I've never had any blue box or recent Lapua, mine's all earlier stuff from years ago.

Lapua gold box 6BR - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6BR.................- .4688, .4688, .4688
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2020 - .468, .468, .468
Alpha 6BRA, bought in 2024 - .469, .469, .469
Alpha 6 Dasher bought 2024 -.468, .468, .468

This stuff is so close I don't see how there could be chamber problems. Now, a reamer spec sheet can say one thing and actually be a couple thou off. I've experienced chambers ( reamers) that weren't as spec'd and too tight in the web for some headstamps......my 22-250AI works with PMC and not Lapua, and .243AI that won't chamber Lapua or PMC. And a 22-204 so tight it wouldn't chamber anything. And then there's the variable of who cut the chamber, how much runout. .
Click to expand...
Look at the cross sections. The alpha is a solid lump to above the .200 line then it thins almost immediately to the body thickness. When it’s forced to expand .002 down there it can’t do it. Or it ruptures.
 
Last edited:
Im on my 7th firing of Alpha BRA brass, smith says reamer was wheeler and I use a Whidden die. Not had one issue and the brass is really consistent. Just replaced barrel and no issue.. so I didn’t get lucky somehow. my 6BRA , my smiths personal 6BRA and the countless others he built / chambered are not having issues with Alpha. I am new to 6BRA as of a year ago and was really worried about my set up and Alpha brass purchase at that time due to all the Bad comments on the forum. I thought I wasted money given many of the comments come from some of the best in the business. All good with us…. Lucky I guess.
 
i
gmr4 said:
Im on my 7th firing of Alpha BRA brass, smith says reamer was wheeler and I use a Whidden die. Not had one issue and the brass is really consistent. Just replaced barrel and no issue.. so I didn’t get lucky somehow. my 6BRA , my smiths personal 6BRA and the countless others he built / chambered are not having issues with Alpha. I am new to 6BRA as of a year ago and was really worried about my set up and Alpha brass purchase at that time due to all the Bad comments on the forum. I thought I wasted money given many of the comments come from some of the best in the business. All good with us…. Lucky I guess.
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i don't know what to believe anymore!!!!!!
 
gmr4 said:
Im on my 7th firing of Alpha BRA brass, smith says reamer was wheeler and I use a Whidden die. Not had one issue and the brass is really consistent. Just replaced barrel and no issue.. so I didn’t get lucky somehow. my 6BRA , my smiths personal 6BRA and the countless others he built / chambered are not having issues with Alpha. I am new to 6BRA as of a year ago and was really worried about my set up and Alpha brass purchase at that time due to all the Bad comments on the forum. I thought I wasted money given many of the comments come from some of the best in the business. All good with us…. Lucky I guess.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry about it. Alpha is all I use in the BRA...One chamber was done by Brad / Urabanrifleman and is just outstanding with Alpha brass. The other one has a friend's chamber and is also very nicely accurate. No problems with either. The 6BR was done with my reamer and is very accurate with Lapua, some Alpha loads are waiting to be shot and compared. I don't expect any problems. .
 
Maybe someone can confirm this but I was told that the new alpha brass measures .269 loaded round and it should work in a .272 neck chamber.
 
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