New or FL sized 6mmBR brass for headspacing

[johnsopa]

I have a new 6mmBR barrel coming for my Savage. I am planning to fill a few of my new Lapua 6mmBR brass with epoxy to use for headspace gauges.

Question -- would you recommend using the Lapua brass as it comes from the box or should I full length size them first before filling with epoxy?

Thanks,

John

 

[Cheechako]

John

The only critical dimension is base to shoulder. Whatever you do make sure you do not push the shoulder back. If it was me I would wait until I get the barrel and then make sure an MT case goes into the chamber freely. If it binds on the neck or the body that is the only part you should resize. The only contact points should be the base and the shoulder. You can cut the neck off completely since it serves no purpose. Remember, headspacing is by feel, and a delicate feel at that. But if it was really me I'd buy a real headspace gauge. You can get the Forster's for less than $20 and Midway often has their PTG gauges on sale for not much more. JMHO

Ray

 

[Critter_Capper]

In All Reality, if you already have some once fired brass, resize it, and headspace to the shoulder, virgin brass tends to run .005 or more SHORTER than the SAMMI/Match Spec. sizing dies. if you headspace to YOUR dies, it will lengthen brass life, and make things much less stressful to ya in the long run. . . i did this when rebarreling my own tactical rifle, and have shot many bugholes with it, my best to date was .135 Center To Center, with a 12.5-13Lb gun off of bipods and a rear sandbag... not too bad if i do say so myself.