Forming bra brass with full loads??

[ttfreestyle]

Has anyone formed br brass into bra brass with full bra loads? I have a friend doing this and just wondering first is this safe and second what the cons would be? Thanks

 

[TAJ45]

I've yet to do it but have read here, as well as advice from a long time shooting bud, to go w max load, jammed and when the dust clears, an AI is borne. 223 to 223AI.
Of course a false shoulder can work as well.
He also will use cow or BE, redux of course, and tissue to keep powder in a column.

Clarification of intended info: full charge of PARENT case. I didn't specify - should have.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I usually form AI cases at max loads for the original parent case design, not the AI version it becomes after fireforming. So in that instance, I would load max charge for a 6BR. Once formed to 6BRA, I would then run up to max loads for the new AI case. Some may do it differently. That's just what has always worked well for me.

 

[mikeeg02]

I've found my primer pockets seem to hold up better backed off a couple tenths from full of the parent case. With 105 hybrids and 205 primers I'm around 29.6 of my lot of h4895. 29.7 shoots better, but the pockets die younger for me. I also have more free bore than most so I'd back it off another tenth. Find your seating depth.

 

[tom]

I load like max or just below max for what would be the parent case. And do a few, see how consistent they are before proceeding. I would just take my time and form them however makes the best I could. The brass is the heart of an accurate cartridge.

Tom

 

[JMayo]

One could say Just wasting powder.
Another would say working up possible loads.

Sure won't hurt anything imo.

My bra neck/shoulder junction fit perfectly just needed humping that shoulder edge into place.

 

[spclark]

I've found my primer pockets seem to hold up better backed off a couple tenths from full of the parent case.

Matches my experience.

Using full-power loads with new brass leads inevitably to shorter case life.

We know that higher loads will affect case heads more than moderate loads when it comes to pocket life. Too high the brass moves out, won’t return to its original shape

Case head brass that doesn’t move during firing is still being impacted by the forces generated during firing.

These forces tend to work-harden the brass, making it more resistant to displacement... up to a point beyond which it won’t harden any more.

The same principle is employed in case manufacturing when heads are “double-struck” - that extra hit imparts a different grain structure to the metal (while not changing its shape) that better resists forces when cases are fired.

 

[ngb1787]

I always do, never an issue,

 

[urbanrifleman]

I usually form AI cases at max loads for the original parent case design, not the AI version it becomes after fireforming. So in that instance, I would load max charge for a 6BR. Once formed to 6BRA, I would then run up to max loads for the new AI case. Some may do it differently. That's just what has always worked well for me.

Me too. Shooting max ackley load in a non Ackley is a bad idea.

 

[shoot4fun]

I'm in the max load for parent case camp here.
Better yet, I have DJ's Brass Service hydro-form BRA and Dasher.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Me too. Shooting max ackley load in a non Ackley is a bad idea.

Bad idea as in it’s dangerous or bad idea as in not making consistent ackley brass? I form Around 29.2 h4895 and an happy with the results but my friend has been as high as 31.1 h4895 while forming.

 

[tom]

Troy,

For me it's about "seasoning" them in so they can last longer, let them harden at a couple "easy" cycles. As far as consistent brass, I'm probably a weirdo, but I won't even to (coarse) ladders with match brass.

Tom

 

[urbanrifleman]

I'm in the max load for parent case camp here.
Better yet, I have DJ's Brass Service hydro-form BRA and Dasher.

DJ doesn't list 6bra brass.

I thought we all were going to 6bra because its pull the trigger, bang, and go...

 

[dmoran]

Troy (@ttfreestyle)

Personally strive for consistent blow lengths, which in my experience linearly effects the internal volumes.
For me every aspect to the fire-forming load needs to remain the same, and from mild charge levels to the mother case, for the crucial first firing. I also try to control the chamber/barrel heat to a consistent temperature range when fire-forming, so they all are subjected and ironed from nearly a same amount of "oven effect". Like Tom, I to am a weirdo and try not to ever use my match brass for testing or development, so that they all get stretched and ironed equally through there cycles. When building/making a "match set" I also make a lesser amount to a "test brass set" from a the same Lot, and use them for the testing/development scenario's in conjunction with their "match set".

Just my 2-Cents....

 

[ttfreestyle]

I am in the process of forming my match brass with everything the same (as same as I can make it anyways). I have also made a smaller lot from this brass for testing. My match brass this next year will hopefully be only for matches and stay on the same cycle. I was just making sure my friend wasn’t gonna hurt something or himself forming with full loads( I’m not gonna do it).

 

[pat fulghum]

30gr of Varget with 105s jammed.... gets you 90% there... then one more at full "BRA" charge will get me the rest of the way.

After that 30.x H4895/CCI450 and anything unexplainable / wierd and the brass will get tossed.

My "2017A" lot of brass with 21 reloads on them only has 77 pieces left That lot of brass has served me very well, but it has been retired.

 

[ttfreestyle]

30gr of Varget with 105s jammed.... gets you 90% there... then one more at full "BRA" charge will get me the rest of the way.

After that 30.x H4895/CCI450 and anything unexplainable / wierd and the brass will get tossed.

My "2017A" lot of brass with 21 reloads on them only has 77 pieces left That lot of brass has served me very well, but it has been retired.

Do you anneal and if so with what frequency? Thanks

 

[pat fulghum]

For 6bra... I shoot a tight neck chamber (.002 clearance) with very little .0005 shoulder bump. I never anneal my 6BRA brass. Seems to like it that way...

I anneal the 7mm 284 EVERY firing.

 

[pat fulghum]

I should also add that I do check for thin wall bases by feeling with a paper clip.... I have also "sectioned" a couple of high count fired brass to make sure that base walls are still good.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

When cases are new and do not fit the chamber they will have more thrust on the bolt face because the brass is not gripping the chamber as well yet. That chamber takes a lot of load off the boltface. I would not recommend a full charge in an un formed case. I usually stay back off of max on the parent case a little. All you need to do if form the case, no more.