BRA brass

[Jvance513]

Looking for first hand experience with someone who has fireformed BRA brass from Peterson or alpha BR brass I have zero desire to shoot actual bra alpha brass. But would consider fireforming their BR brass. I’m already shooting lapua in both of my other BRA’s, but im building sharpshooter, rendezvous, world open, nationals gun and I’m considering trying some other brand brass. My reamer is a .272 neck and wasn’t sure if I would have enough neck clearance with either brand, as I know both are thicker. not trying to deplete my stash of lapua brass lol. So before I buy 300 pieces of new lapua I just wanted to see if there was any experience with other brands that would sway me one way or the other. Thanks!

 

[Rat Rifle]

Justin, first Congratulations for a good shoot at Red White & Blue. I’m sure You and everyone who attended had a great time.

I don’t profess to be the one to give You advice, given Your high level of experience and shooting skill. I can only state My experience. Last time I formed brass for BRA, I used Lapua, loaded into the lands, and shot it in a match. It shot better than I had been shooting in the recent past, and won Me a couple of Relay Necklaces. The brass formed perfectly. I can’t speak to the other two brands mentioned.

Good luck, and have fun this season ! … Jim Hoffman

 

[64Rambler]

I'm just starting this journey myself and bought 300 Alpha 6BRA cases. I ran a 0.2415 expander thru them, followed by a Forster 3-in-1 to clean up the edges. Criterion 6BRA, 272 neck, 0.120" freebore. Running a powder sweep with Berger 105 Hybrids and N140, starting at 29.5, I was getting easy bolt lift up to 30.4 gr and increasing bolt lift to 31.8 and had a couple case head swipes, and some slight cratering around the firing pin.
Depriming and rechecking the case fit in the chamber I found a matching firm bolt close to match the initial firing bolt lift. Unfortunately, my new Wilson 6BRA die seems to have actually been a 6 BR interior, so I can't resize to see if I can get it back in shape. Working with Wilson now to get it corrected. I will most likely send Harrells some fired cases to get a better sizing match to my chamber if the Wilson doesn't do the trick. I also have a box of Lapua 6BR brass on the way to fireform and make a comparison.

 

[Clancy]

Peterson is generally .266-.267 and a whole lot better brass than Alpha. That’s the route I’d take if you’re mad at Lapua, but Lapua is cheaper than both Alpha and Peterson right now at $115, and easy to get.

 

[urbanrifleman]

There is Lapua, then everyone else.

 

[RICK SMITH]

Me and Jim both set records FFing Lapua brass, but Peterson is just as good and you get nice little ammo boxes with them. I got a Short Action Modular BRA die and it has sized all my BRA BRASS with 3 different reamers.

 

[Ackman]

I shoot Alpha brass in the 6BRAI and it's very good stuff. Works just fine in a nicely accurate barrel.

 

[Buttstock-TX]

I've been using Peterson 6 BR brass since late last year because Lapua was not available when I started loading for the 6 BRA. The chamber is a Wheeler "no turn" 0.272 neck (although fired brass seems to come out at 0.271"). The unturned neck diameter of a loaded round is 0.2665 so, you will want a 0.264 bushing or smaller. I had the brass hydroformed, which accomplished most of the forming needed. Even so, it is probably best not to push the first charge too far beyond a normal fire form charge weight. The neck thickness seems to be quite uniform. I am getting very good accuracy with the brass but, wonder if I'm getting all the all the accuracy the round offers with a 0.0055 chamber - neck diameter difference. I probably am but, I do wonder...

 

[pilediver]

I have used Peterson brass in a .268 neck BRA. Fireforming the brass was easy and it shoots very well.
Use the expander mandrel, turn the necks, clean, NEO in the necks, load a few tenth's less than normal, and have fun.
My Peterson cases have 15 firings so far and still going strong.

 

[varget204]

Have Fireformed 600-700 Peterson 6 BR cases got a lot of low mid .2 Moa @100 yards when I did my part,have had some eye problems, some .2' &.3's out to 1000 yards, Never thought that would happen Fireforming . Have .272 No Turn,.104 freebore, 31 " HV Palma, have used H-4895, N-135 ,H-4350, Varget, All with 105 grain bullets. Have posted pictures in the past Under Barts Bullets, have lost 1 due to start of crack in the neck,some with 12+ firings.

 

[lawebb21]

PETERSON!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I fireform Norma and Alpha brass to 6 BRX by jamming the bullet with 29g H4895 or similar. No problems so far = and it's the laziest way to do the job!

 

[R L U]

Looking for first hand experience with someone who has fireformed BRA brass from Peterson or alpha BR brass I have zero desire to shoot actual bra alpha brass. But would consider fireforming their BR brass. I’m already shooting lapua in both of my other BRA’s, but im building sharpshooter, rendezvous, world open, nationals gun and I’m considering trying some other brand brass. My reamer is a .272 neck and wasn’t sure if I would have enough neck clearance with either brand, as I know both are thicker. not trying to deplete my stash of lapua brass lol. So before I buy 300 pieces of new lapua I just wanted to see if there was any experience with other brands that would sway me one way or the other. Thanks!

My choice is and has been for 4-5 years use Peterson brass FF around 28 gr of AR COMP you will need to load about 1/2 gr lower than normal load in Lapua. I have not lost a piece of brass due to primer ware or loose. Best choice going.