Setting up for bra

[Forward543]

Looking for imput on setting up a 6bra for precision rifle. So far this is my thought:
26" 6bra hawk hill
Lapua 6br norma brass
Harrels 6bra full length bushing die
Seater?
Bullets:
108 berger
105 berger hyb
108 eld
Varget powder

Should i turn necks?
Looking for consistency going to 1200 yards. I dont have to have bench accuracy, but you guys are the precision team, any advice is appreciated.

 

[Falfan2017]

I’m far from an expert on it. Just picked one up a few months ago but I’ve been having good luck with a Wilson microseater for a dasher with the harrels sizing die. My chamber is a 268 neck so I turned them to .011 and am using a .262 neck bushing in the Harrels for a .265 finished ammo.
Used a charge of 30 grains Varget to fireform and then h4895 for bra loads with fed 205m primer. I’ve tried the br4 but haven’t got as good results.
Didn’t have much luck with the 105 hybrid could never get rid of the vertical.
The 108 has worked well over 30.5 gr h4895.
The Bart’s Hammer 105 has worked really well with 30.6 gr h4895.
So far it’s been accurate beyond anything I imagined and lots of fun. Also super easy to fireform.

 

[Nature Boy]

I just sent my reamer print to Widden and had them whack up some dies for it. Made the decision process easy

 

[moondog]

Like Falfan said, Super accurate, Fireformed with Varget. My best loads are H4895 with a BR4, 105
hybrids, going to do some testing with the 108s friday. I use a Forster Micro seater and Harrels Bushing sizer,
Tracks 2977. Half the throat erosion as my dasher.

 

[Sheldon N]

For precision rifle (PRS) running 6BRA my vote would be 105 Hybrid, no turn neck, Forster Dasher micrometer seating die, 450 primers. Both Varget and H4895 shot good for me, but H4895 is better so that's what I'm running. Varget was around 31.2-31.6, H4895 is at 30.6. You can run it hot up close to 3k fps but it will function better in the low 2900's for field conditions over the long run. Fireform was 29.8 Varget, 105gr bullet jammed into lands + crush fit shoulder.

 

[ricco1949]

For the seater die I'd recommend a Wilson blank cut with your chamber reamer and an arbor press of your choice. Seating force differences will be readily apparent.

 

[Forward543]

Scratch the harrels, i want a bushing die to build a 22 bra as well. Any die thoughts. Maybe a wilson cut down?

 

[swd]

Scratch the harrels, i want a bushing die to build a 22 bra as well. Any die thoughts. Maybe a wilson cut down?

Harrels is a bushing FL sizer.

 

[Jeff A]

My thoughts are H4895 behind a Berger VLD, not Hybrid. Vapor Trail 103's are better if you can get them. I shoot a 28" barrel. A great Seating die is the Sinclair/Wilson Micro Top, click adjustable straight line die. $140.00 at Brownell's. Personally, I use full length sizing dies from Forster with the necks honed to the size that other people buy bushings for. Have fun.

 

[MDM]

For precision rifle (PRS) running 6BRA my vote would be 105 Hybrid, no turn neck, Forster Dasher micrometer seating die, 450 primers. Both Varget and H4895 shot good for me, but H4895 is better so that's what I'm running. Varget was around 31.2-31.6, H4895 is at 30.6. You can run it hot up close to 3k fps but it will function better in the low 2900's for field conditions over the long run. Fireform was 29.8 Varget, 105gr bullet jammed into lands + crush fit shoulder.

Damn near identical to what I'm doing with mine. Maybe we will get in the same squad at the Finale! Ha!

 

[Sheldon N]

Damn neat identical to what I'm doing with mine. Maybe we will get in the same squad at the Finale! Ha!

I better mark my brass! There was actually quite a few 6BRA cases in the brass pile from Blue Ridge, it's catching on.

 

[MDM]

Yeah I started getting grilled on it the past few matches...what's your load, is it better than br, what'd you for dies, and oh, maybe I can borrow your reamer? Lol.

 

[Tim-o-thy]

I just sent my reamer print to Widden and had them whack up some dies for it. Made the decision process easy

I just bought thier bra set he told me over the phone if I didn’t like them he would give me full purchase price towards a custom set made from my brass. Can’t beat service like that.

 

[swd]

Harrels matchs up your brass to the die that fits the best for $75 or $65 if you send cash.

 

[arm017]

Is anybody utilizing wheeler's reamer for PRS comps? I am still pouring over all the BRA reamer specs trying to decide on the best case dimensions for the cartridge. I want to just go with wheelers print w/ a no turn neck, but others' seem to have more clearance in certain spots for field conditions?

 

[Sheldon N]

Is anybody utilizing wheeler's reamer for PRS comps? I am still pouring over all the BRA reamer specs trying to decide on the best case dimensions for the cartridge. I want to just go with wheelers print w/ a no turn neck, but others' seem to have more clearance in certain spots for field conditions?

Mine is basically a Wheeler reamer with a .272 neck. Lots of guys going .273 or .274 neck for even more field clearance, but I've not had any issues with .272. My brass is .268 loaded round and I get about 0.002 expansion on firing after springback.

My vote would be Wheeler reamer with .273 neck.

 

[arm017]

Mine is basically a Wheeler reamer with a .272 neck. Lots of guys going .273 or .274 neck for even more field clearance, but I've not had any issues with .272. My brass is .268 loaded round and I get about 0.002 expansion on firing after springback.

My vote would be Wheeler reamer with .273 neck.

Thanks sheldon. I agree 273 sounds a sweet spot.
But my main question on BRA reamer prints, is whether I need to specify some of the extra clearances folks like Travis Stevens, Tate streater, Adam Rehor have all graciously sent prints of their reamer to help decide, and each of them specd out a bit more clearance in certain places. I really don't want to mess with Wheelers record setting reamer sans the no turn neck, but also am a PRS knuckle head bound to get debris in the chamber at some point.

 

[Sheldon N]

But my main question on BRA reamer prints, is whether I need to specify some of the extra clearances folks like Travis Stevens, Tate streater, Adam Rehor have all graciously sent prints of their reamer to help decide, and each of them specd out a bit more clearance in certain places. I really don't want to mess with Wheelers record setting reamer sans the no turn neck, but also am a PRS knuckle head bound to get debris in the chamber at some point.

Anywhere other than the neck you are the one in control of clearances through brass sizing, that's what makes the gap between case and chamber. You don't want too much brass sizing, and you don't want a mismatch between dies and your chamber.

In my experience the Wheeler reamer dimensions are well matched to the current mainstream dies out there. The Whidden BRA or Forster or Harrells are all going to give you around .458 or .4585 shoulder diameter so a .460 chamber shoulder is good. Similarly you would want a base diameter around .4715 for the chamber so that the dies are able to give sufficient base sizing at the .200 line.

It's not really a clearances issue (other than neck diameter), it's more of a question of how well the dies match the chamber.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

My no turn reamer is the same but with a 272 neck. Thats enough clearance for anything unless you dont clean your gun ever maybe. Had a few in PRS for 2 years now, guys seem to like them in that game too.

 

[Mastershot]

My no turn reamer is the same but with a 272 neck. Thats enough clearance for anything unless you dont clean your gun ever maybe. Had a few in PRS for 2 years now, guys seem to like them in that game too.

Alex

I just finished fire forming a 100 rounds with your reamer on a kreiger 28” barrel with 7-1/2 twist. What load should I start with for load development? I have all the powders and primers listed here on the forums. This rifle is replacing my dasher for a PRS rifle.