Norma 6 Dasher brass versus Lapua 6.5x47.

[zanemoseley]

So I've narrowed my caliber hunt down to either 6 Dasher or 6.5x47. The thing is I don't wanna screw with fireforming. So would you go with the Dasher using Norma brass or stay with the 6.5x47 to stock with Lapua brass?

I've not read a lot about the Norma Dasher brass so perhaps you guys could fill me in.

 

[dkhunt14]

I would stay with the 6.5x47 or go with Lapua brass on the Dasher. You could have them hydroformed. Matt

 

[KMart]

I would stay with the 6.5x47 or go with Lapua brass on the Dasher. You could have them hydroformed. Matt

I am on the first firing using hydroformed cases now and they are quite accurate. I am getting a little over 1/2" groups at 200 using 33 gr of Varget with 107 SMK's

 

[holstil]

DJ's brass is very convenient for Lapua dasher brass. He can neck turn them for you
too.

 

[zanemoseley]

I'm sure DJ does a great job but Lapua brass is already a buck a piece then you have to pay another $.60 for the forming plus any additional services.

 

[Zcocker]

60 a piece isn't bad all things considered. 25 for a bullet, 12 for powder, 3.5 for a primer, so 40.5 cents a shot. Plus the time to neck up and form the false shoulder. Then barrel wear.

 

[Delfuego]

If you don't want to fireform or hydroform you should probably stick with 6.5x47.

 

[zanemoseley]

So what's the deal with the Norma brass? Is it still not considered as good as Lapua after a couple production runs.

Honestly I guess I could get into hydroforming but I think a die is at least $150. I'm the kind of guy that would rather pay for a hyrdroforming die than pay someone to do it for me, after 300 pieces of brass you'd be coming out ahead.

 

[swd]

I don't know if you have seen this thread about the Norma Dasher brass, http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/learned-from-20-shots-with-dasher-brass.3905576/, lots of good information between the pissing and moaning of guy's who aren't happy because it doesn't interchange perfectly with Lapua. Personally from what I gather it's pretty good stuff. If you don't already have Lapua brass and barrels set up for it there doesn't seem to be any reason not to go Norma.

With the long neck on the Norma I would push the free bore out to .140"-150" and it could shoot anything from 105's to the new 115 DTAC and keep it out of doughnut area.

 

[wapiti25]

I have been shooting some Norma dasher brass, I feel I have to drop the charge with Varget about 1 gr or I get loose primer pockets. I have not shot over the chronograph but the scope setting's are close. I need to do more shooting. If I was going to a major match I would use Lapua formed brass. I shoot more club matches and I think Norma is fine for that. My chamber is the short neck so I trimmed the Norma brass.

 

[zanemoseley]

Well after reading more I may end up with the Dasher and just buy a Hydroforming die from Whidden for $150. It really doesn't look that hard and with alcohol you don't have to worry about rusting your equipment. I really don't want to waste range time fireforming, working 5 days a week with a family I only get limited time anyway. I know the FF loads can still be pretty accurate but it would be nice to go straight to the final case size/shape.

I just did some ballistic comparisons and the Dasher is much more comparable than I thought. Do these number look right, I just found some sample loads people are using.

6.5 x47 - 140 Berger Hybrid (.607 BC @ 2875)
- Has 5.2% less drift than the Dasher at 600
- Has 6.6% less drift than the Dasher at 1000

6 Dasher - 105 Berger Hybrid (.536 @ 3075)
- Has 12.2% less drop than the 6.5x47 @ 600
- Has 8.6% less drop than the 6.5x47 @1000 Yard

So one is better in the drop department and one is better in the drift department. I guess shooting at known distances you would prefer the drift advantage but the advantage is very slim.

 

[swd]

Fire form at a 600 yard match, they're VERY accurate. Anything outside the 10 ring ain't the ammo's fault.

 

[prwhite]

Take the drift advantage!

 

[zanemoseley]

Take the drift advantage!

But the difference is only 6%, works out to 66.7" of drift versus 70.7" at 1000 yards with a full 10 MPH crosswind. That a lot more money for bullets and powder for such a small advantage.

 

[Auto-X Fil]

But the difference is only 6%, works out to 66.7" of drift versus 70.7" at 1000 yards with a full 10 MPH crosswind. That a lot more money for bullets and powder for such a small advantage.

But the 6.5 will have better barrel life.

 

[dkhunt14]

I had two Dashers go south with less then 500 rounds. One right at 500 and one right at 350. Both barrels launched a small piece out the throat.they were both top quality barrels and from different companies. If you want to hit more reliably take the less drift. A target never knows if the scope has 22 or 25 MOA on it. Matt

 

[zanemoseley]

I had two Dashers go south with less then 500 rounds. One right at 500 and one right at 350. Both barrels launched a small piece out the throat.they were both top quality barrels and from different companies. If you want to hit more reliably take the less drift. A target never knows if the scope has 22 or 25 MOA on it. Matt

Wow, less than 500 rounds, I would be PISSED. Not to mention after spending a ton of cash on dies, brass and hydroforming stuff.

 

[dkhunt14]

Wow, less than 500 rounds, I would be PISSED. Not to mention after spending a ton of cash on dies, brass and hydroforming stuff.

I shoot 1000 yard BR and if you want to win, most barrels of any cartridge never make it to 1000 rounds. They just lose there edge and need rechambered. Matt

 

[Switchbarrel]

I had two Dashers go south with less then 500 rounds. One right at 500 and one right at 350. Both barrels launched a small piece out the throat.they were both top quality barrels and from different companies. Matt

That's a boatload of bad luck. Not the norm.

-Rick

 

[Forum Boss]

Re the Norma Dasher brass. We sent some to Sam Hall, past IBS 600-yard shooter of the year. Once Sam figured out the right throating for the longer necks and adjusted to a thicker rim, he started to achieve excellent results. He did extensive testing, including shooting one case over 10 times without annealing. Now shooting groups at 500 yards, he is getting very good accuracy results. He also did comparative measurements with both new Lapua "blue box" and older Lapua "brown box" 6mmBR brass.






Sam has no affiliation with Norma or Bullets.com. Based on his own testing, he believes the Norma Dasher brass is very good stuff.

We have an extensive write-up from Sam coming. I think this may change some people's thinking. Bottom line, Sam likes the brass, but does acknowledge that you may have to change your load and get a different shell-holder.