Getting Started on 6BR Project

[AlanPF]

Hello 6mmBR members,

I thought this would be the best place to come for advice on a 6BR project. I currently have a 6.5x284 for F-Class, and want to get a switch barrel in something that's cheaper to run, mainly for ranges up to 600, but beyond in good conditions. Have considered Dasher or BRX but think the BR will be easier, and barrel and brass will last longer. I've read quite a few posts and articles on this site and have some ideas as follows:

1. Finishing reamer from PPG for 6BR Norma,.269 Neck) to suit Lapua brass and 107gn SMK.
2. 1:8 twist 28" barrel.
3. Redding Type S FL Sizing die and .265 bushing.
4. Wilson seater die made with own finishing reamer.

Any advice appreciated.

Alan

 

[ArtinNC]

I don't know if its me or what, but I'm not having much luck with 1:8 twist barrels I'v had Kreigers and L&W, or is it the VLD bullets .
Art

 

[Forum Boss]

Just one tip on the std 6BR vs. 6BR Improved decision.

Jason has a sweet new 6BR in a lowRider stock with a Stiller diamondback action. He had worked up a load with Varget. To our surprise, the most he could get was about 2850 fps with a VERY stiff load of Varget.

Well, just yesterday he tried some RL15 and well, Katy bar the door. At 30.6,.5 grains UNDER his Varget load), he was getting 2950 fps. At his "practical max" he chron'd 3000 fps.,All with Scenar 105s).

So there you have it. YMMV because powder lots are different. But RL15 is giving Jason enough bonus vel now that going to an improved load really isn't necessary.

 

[AlanPF]

...I'd go with a 0.271" or 0.2715" neck just to avoid neck turning. The neck turning process itself isn't that bad but to do it right the brass needs to be full length sized, then have the neck trimmed, then the neck expanded, then turned then necked back down...I'm quite pleased with the accuracy I get with 1 in 8" twist Kriegers but I don't shoot VLD bullets...

gunamonth,

Thanks for the response,and also to others),

The new brass prep doesn't worry me too much - I guess 6BR brass will last many firings? If you don't neck turn, do you measure neck thickness, and if so, what sort of rejection rate do you get? I have found with new Lapua 6.5x284 brass, neck thickness variation,from one side to the other) of up to 0.003 is common.

Regarding barrels, I probably would choose Krieger - does anyone go tighter than 1 in 8 with the 6BR?

Alan

 

[AlanPF]

gunamonth,

Yes I think you have the right approach for the very slight neck variation you are getting. I guess Lapua is making the 6BR brass in a better machine than their 6.5x284.

Alan

 

[ArtinNC]

If you are building a 6.5-284 you need to turn the Lapua necks are not very good . I bought brass 5yrs ago and some a month ago none are as good as PPC or 6mmBR brass, the 6.5-284 are .003 to .004 off. Art

 

[TonyZ]

Alan,
There will shortly be a new range of projectiles available in Aus for the 6 mils. They will be a flat base 10 ogive along the lines of the BIB including weight. I will be testing more samples in the next couple of weeks. Weight is not final but they should end up between 85 to 95 grains for the 1.050 length bullets. Not sure where the longer ones will end up weight wise at this point. If we even go ahead with them.
Tony Z.
ps. The first ones tested at 85 grains were stable in a 13 twist and shot a 10 shot goup of 1.9 inches at 500 m with one of those flying .75 inch from the main cluster.

 

[AlanPF]

Tony,

Are 6mm the first calibre to be produced, or are there others?

Alan

 

[TonyZ]

Alan,
There are a couple of guys up my way making bullets. The one i mentioned on the last post is a short range BR bullet maker that has seen a definite market in some LD flat base bullets for the shooters of longer ranges. He is able to make these with little change to his existing setup. Charlie Robinson makes bullets in 22, 6, 6.5 and 30 cal and is down at Rockhampton. He has just upgraded his point up dies to the stage now where he can make a 187 BIB replication in 30 cal. He is shortly going to produce a 6.5 VLD to suit the 1000 yd guys. He has made 6.5 stuff for some years now and i cannot understand why more of the long range BR guys haven't been using his projectiles. We have slowly converted him over to BR in the past few years and with his on going interest in this area he has developed some really good match projectiles. I built him a 30 BR a few years back for Field Rifle and in the process of getting a better wheel we both tested countless variations of little bullets from 105 to 135 grain till just recently he took delivery of a new point up die that now produces a 115 grain pill that is both slippery and has enough bearing surface to get land contact with the 0.025" or less leade length used in most chamberings. Garry Little also manufactures a good range of match projectiles including one that is a spitting image of the 162 Amax in 7 mil but without the polycarbonate tip which i have used for some time now. Anthony Finn who is well known to Aus and international silhouette shooters also makes some good match bullets in 6.5 and 7 mil that some F Class shooters up my way have been using for years now. I have used his 168 grain 7 mil over the years and have shot some of my smallest groups in Fly with them. There are a couple of other guys about making good match pills but most are centered around the short range game mainly and just make a "long" version for themselves or their friends for the occasional LR match. There would have to be 30 bullet makers in Aus and everyone of them makes his own little special for some reason or another. I have tested most of them and the ones i mentioned above are the ones that are relevant to what you and i want. Charlie has just built a Heavy for 1000 IBS and i would expect a really good projectile to emerge shortly and you never know it may be our next winged keel.

Tony Z.