My 30BR Expander

[LVLAaron]

I purchased some Alpha 6BRA brass, to appease a friend, to use in my new BRA rifle. The brass came with a 6BRA label, but they sent 6BR brass.

So I figured I'd use this box for the 30BR I'll eventually build.


Whipped up a quick mandrel and it works great! Sometimes you need small wins.

 

[butchlambert]

I purchased some Alpha 6BRA brass, to appease a friend, to use in my new BRA rifle. The brass came with a 6BRA label, but they sent 6BR brass.

So I figured I'd use this box for the 30BR I'll eventually build.


Whipped up a quick mandrel and it works great! Sometimes you need small wins.

View attachment 1567072

It is easier on your brass and you will not have a donut if you fireform with out a bullet first.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What material. O-1 is easy to work with and harden good enough for something like this, fwiw. Same for neck turning mandrels. You can make it hard and slick if ya want, easy peasy

 

[xr650rRider]

I purchased some Alpha 6BRA brass, to appease a friend, to use in my new BRA rifle. The brass came with a 6BRA label, but they sent 6BR brass.

If you load that 6BR brass in a 6BRA, it becomes 6BRA brass as soon as you pull the trigger. Might be some of the best groups you'll ever shoot, all while fire-forming.

 

[LVLAaron]

If you load that 6BR brass in a 6BRA, it becomes 6BRA brass as soon as you pull the trigger. Might be some of the best groups you'll ever shoot, all while fire-forming.

I've already got a couple hundred Peterson 6BR cases I'm using for the BRA. My buddy doesn't believe the story behind the Alpha BRA debacle, so he wanted me to get the BRA brass and try it, offering to buy it when it doesn't work.

But I do need some brass for a 30BR, so this will be it.

 

[LVLAaron]

What material. O-1 is easy to work with and harden good enough for something like this, fwiw. Same for neck turning mandrels. You can make it hard and slick if ya want, easy peasy

That's just some 12L14. Well lubed it'll get through 100 pieces I bet. I have some O1 and W1 in the shop. I've never fiddled with hardening/tempering anything.

 

[LVLAaron]

@AlNyhus what’s the magical neck thickness for a 331 chamber?

 

[AlNyhus]

@AlNyhus what’s the magical neck thickness for a 331 chamber?

Honestly, I don't turn necks to a measured thickness. The only number I look at is what a neck measures with a seated bullet. I set my 30BR cases up for .003 OTB (over the bullet) clearance with the biggest bullet I'll use.

Nice skills on the mandrel!

 

[LVLAaron]

Honestly, I don't turn necks to a measured thickness. The only number I look at is what a neck measures with a seated bullet. I set my 30BR cases up for .003 OTB (over the bullet) clearance with the biggest bullet I'll use.

Perfect. Thank you kindly

 

[AlNyhus]

Perfect. Thank you kindly

Others do it differently with great results.

 

[LVLAaron]

Others do it differently with great results.

That's pretty much how I do it with .308. 3 to 5 thou and I'm happy. I figured clearances would be tighter here. Will aim for 3.

I saw your "delumper" thread. I was cleaning out my reloading room today and found an old RCBS 7mm BR die I got as part of a Dillon 550 I picked up from a barn. I might build one.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

That's just some 12L14. Well lubed it'll get through 100 pieces I bet. I have some O1 and W1 in the shop. I've never fiddled with hardening/tempering anything.

I bet it'll do fine for expanding and O1 is super easy for a non critical part like this or turning mandrels. Non-critical in terms of heat treat anyway. Just get it to size and make it hard as woodpecker lips and polish. Should work great. Good practice for other projects too, that are more heat treat critical. I'm sure you'll do good.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Perfect. Thank you kindly

Me too! I get tired of explaining why to those that accept measuring neck thickness as being the best way. Just is what it is, but you GET it and I'm not surprised one bit, either. Works ok for roughing in the turner, though.

 

[Judd]

My buddy doesn't believe the story behind the Alpha BRA debacle

what débâcle is that? Not trying to argue, I haven’t heard a single negative about Alpha and it’s my favorite 22 Gaymoor brass.

 

[LVLAaron]

what débâcle is that? Not trying to argue, I haven’t heard a single negative about Alpha and it’s my favorite 22 Gaymoor brass.

I also love Alpha, and will use it wherever I can.

However...
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/6bra-alpha-brass-question.4084271/page-6

 

[AlNyhus]

I saw your "delumper" thread. I was cleaning out my reloading room today and found an old RCBS 7mm BR die I got as part of a Dillon 550 I picked up from a barn. I might build one.

Have you checked the neck runout after expanding?

 

[LVLAaron]

Have you checked the neck runout after expanding?

I don't have a checker... but I think I can work something up

 

[AlNyhus]

If you can, check the runout at the end of the neck and at the 'lump'.

 

[LVLAaron]

I've got a buddy with one I'm going to borrow. I've got a sizing die on the way, and a new PMA turner. I'm going to start keeping dedicated turning tools. Some things in life aren't worth fiddling with all the time, and the sinclair turning tool is one of them

 

[Judd]

All turning tools…I just buy one and label it as to what it is…once they are set, it’s not worth jacking with. You’re right!