Norma 6XC Brass hardness

[tomswede]

Has anybody noticed that newer Norma 6XC brass is soft? I have had pressure issues/indications in my rifle for a while (Pac-Nor chrome moly 3 grove barrel, CIP chamber, 900 rounds) and can not find any cause. Barrel shoots good, but if I can't solve the pressure issue, it could end up a tomato stake.
Have shot A4350, N203B, R19, Wolf LR and Fed210M at conservative loads. Highest pressures with A4350 and Wolf LR.

 

[Frankr]

I have had no problems with the Norma 6XC brass. I have been shooting a 105 VLD at 3,150 FPS out of a 1-8 twist 26" Pac Nor 4 groove SSM...I have 6 firings on the cases primer pockets still tight..I have had some freeky pressure, low velocity with some H4350 loads..so I have been shooting RL17...H4350 was a little slow in my rifle...But shot very well...I use a cci 200 primer with the RL17..just cause I had them and they shoot well, low ES..
I have seen no problem with the Norma brass I have..

 

[Fire306]

I haven't tried the Norma brass yet, but I did finally locate some here in Canada and have it on my bench now.
So far I have been using Lapua 22-250 brass, and have had great luck with it. I do have a pile with fairly loose primer pockets now, but they still shoot well, they have been loaded 6-8 times now though.

When you say conservative loads, what loads/speeds are you shooting?
And what kind of pressure signs are you seeing?? Are you full length sizing, bumping shoulders, neck sizing, etc.?

 

[rcol317]

Interesting thread, I've been shooting Norma brass in my 6 XC but it's older brass, I have had some freak pressure issues also using Wolf LR primers seems once In a while primers are hot, maybe 1 or 2 per box of 50 loaded rounds loaded maximum. Also have had same problem with the Wolf SRM in my 20 VT. While I love the wolf primers it seems they are sometimes hot or maybe not all consistent. Not sure your issue is the brass?

 

[abishai]

I have an XC with an 8 twist 3 L&G PN . The barrel ran REALY tight . This may be what is causing your over pressure . I would not use it as a tomato stake , it would be an insult to tomatoes . My bartlen has no such issues , my krieger on my other, other , other XC shoots the lights out too .......

 

[tomswede]

Could be that it is tight. From when it was new pressures have been higher than expected. Maybe as it has had more rounds through it the throat area has gotten rougher and the initial pressure has gone up. It's a long story but have had scary pressure excursions with around 38gr of 4350 (running about 3050 ft/s) and both 105 Lapuas and 107 Sierras. Just blew a primer (210M) with 33.5 R15 and Lapua 105's, speed on that load is 2900ft/s. Length of the barrel is 28 in.
Have given up at this point, have a Bartlein 5R 8 twist ready to be fitted.
Have two other Pac-Nor barrels, one in 260 and one in 308, very happy with them.
Getting a 3 grove was something I wanted to try, probably will not do again.

 

[abishai]

Being from Oregon, I REALLY wanted my PNs to work . Oh well, we still have Benchmade and Treager . Once you go bartlein, everything else is just not a bartlein . Mine held copper bad for the first 100 rounds . After that , it was magically clean

 

[tomswede]

Bartlein barrel installed with the help of accomplished friend Eric P. Early testing shows no pressure issues and very promising accuracy. Probably fine, but still leery to try the 4350 again.

 

[signut]

Tom, it's probably that jug of 4350 I sold you
Going to shoot the Navy 600 yard this weekend? Weather ( 9 degrees F. ) should remind you of the home country but I remember that's why you moved to a warmer climate!

 

[tomswede]

The 4350 you sold me was fine, worked great in my 260. Would like to shoot 600 on Sunday, but if the forecast holds, I'm staying home. Yes, don't miss the Swedish climate