Primer pocket and brass life and fire forming

[swd]

Over the past few months I've heard a bit of talk about shooting 2-3 light loads on new brass to work harden the head area to increase primer pocket life. I've got a BRX that's new to me. The question is on your second or third firing just how light is light? On a case like a BRX or Dasher which pushes 105-107's in the 3000-3050 range is backing down 100 fps about right or just what?

I've also read a bit about fire forming and cases coming out different lengths with different loads. Anyone care to expand on that too?

 

[jr600yd]

I can only tell you what I do. Fire form 6BR to 6BRX with 30 grains of Varget, shoot them in club 600yd matches, very accurate! From then on its 33.7 grains of Varget, Berger 105 VLD's. This works in my rifle, start 10% lower and work up a load.

 

[swd]

What kind of case life do you get? Thanks

 

[jr600yd]

Don't know? So far I'm on the 12th firing.

 

[dkhunt14]

I fireform with 30 grains and in hard. I shoot 5C Broughtons and use 34 after that. That load will be too hot in a lot of guns. I use a .155 freebore to get up there. Reduce loads (Start low) and work up. I usually run about 3000 to 3050 depending on barrel. I get lots of firings without loosing pockets. My freebore and 5C Broughtons let me use more powder then most. Matt

 

[Judd]

I shoot 32.6 for everything...fireforming and after...I also shoot a .104 freebore chamber currently. I think the next barrel I'll mess with the longer freebore...these have shot good enough I didn't mess with the longer freebores.

Normally I fireform 100 cases and those 100 cases will last me as long as the barrel will. Primer pockets start getting loose around 1000 rounds and I shoot them until they won't hold a primer.

 

[Changeling]

Hi Matt. Could you explain that last sentence a little more please. I understand the .155 free bore letting you use a little more powder but what does the Broughton barrel have to do with it?

 

[Dgd6mm]

Hi Matt. Could you explain that last sentence a little more please. I understand the .155 free bore letting you use a little more powder but what does the Broughton barrel have to do with it?

My guess would be pressure.(5C)

 

[dkhunt14]

It seems that the guys shooting the 5C has less pressure. They can usually run a grain or two more. Now I am comparing Dashers and 300 WSM's. There are quite a few guys at Williamsport shooting the 5C Broughtons and most all are using more powder then the regular barrels in the same cartridge. Hope that explains what you want. Matt

 

[johara1]

I was playing with Varget in a 28" Brux and 34.0 gr. and a 106 went over 3100. i found a node it seemed to shoot in was 33.5 and the 106 es was 7 mid .1 groups @ 3066. I don't recommend this for sure, if you have those fat bullets, start lower. I found some problems with Varget and i need to get a better handle on it. I FF. with 30.2-5 gr and a 115 bullet and the second load is a match load. have not lost a primer pocket to this point. I find most that are going to be looser are that new ……… jim

 

[Hanbleceya]

I can only tell you what I do. Fire form 6BR to 6BRX with 30 grains of Varget, shoot them in club 600yd matches, very accurate! From then on its 33.7 grains of Varget, Berger 105 VLD's. This works in my rifle, start 10% lower and work up a load.

It is best to do with at least 30 grains, and the bullet should be jammed to get full fireform. People have said that their fireform loads are accurate! 30 grains is safe and should do the job, with jam.

 

[Hanbleceya]

I was playing with Varget in a 28" Brux and 34.0 gr. and a 106 went over 3100. i found a node it seemed to shoot in was 33.5 and the 106 es was 7 mid .1 groups @ 3066. I don't recommend this for sure, if you have those fat bullets, start lower. I found some problems with Varget and i need to get a better handle on it. I FF. with 30.2-5 gr and a 115 bullet and the second load is a match load. have not lost a primer pocket to this point. I find most that are going to be looser are that new ……… jim

Ambient temperature should be considered across seasons but Varget is an Extreme so little variance. My experience anyway. If one is not using Extremes and testing loads in different temps/seasons, watch your upper loads.

 

[dmoran]

@Hanbleceya
This is a 2-1/2 year old thread....

A suggestion, since it repeatedly appears you may not be aware; when you get to the bottom of a thread and you see the list of "Similar Threads" bare in mind those threads may very well not be current, and you may want to check the dates to those topic's and/or posts.

Just saying.......
Donovan

 

[Hanbleceya]

@Hanbleceya
This is a 2-1/2 year old thread....

A suggestion, since it repeatedly appears you may not be aware; when you get to the bottom of a thread and you see the list of "Similar Threads" bare in mind those threads may very well not be current, and you may want to check the dates to those topic's and/or posts.

Just saying.......
Donovan

@Hanbleceya
This is a 2-1/2 year old thread....

A suggestion, since it repeatedly appears you may not be aware; when you get to the bottom of a thread and you see the list of "Similar Threads" bare in mind those threads may very well not be current, and you may want to check the dates to those topic's and/or posts.

Just saying.......
Donovan

Well thank you my friend. I do believe you meant to say "bear in mind", grammatically speaking. But, then, we all make mistakes.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Well thank you my friend. I do believe you meant to say "bear in mind", grammatically speaking. But, then, we all make mistakes.

No, I don't mind correcting you....it is "beer in mind".