TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 3,105
- 3,597
Drove up to the range to meet a few other guys to practice for the upcoming Sunday F Class competition. I am fireforming Lapua brass, from 6 BR virgin to 6 BRA. It's actually from a 30 degree shoulder ( BR ) to 40 degrees ( BR Ackley ) like a Dasher. Shooting them at 28.6 grains / 103 Vapor Trails, which is a very low charge at 2710 fps average with a SD of 3.4 which isn't bad. I have those bullets jammed .015" to keep the case head tight to the boltface for a good fireform. Just # 4 and 8 rounds went a little under the X ring whilst the remaining 8 was in a nice cluster in the X ring. Disregard the sighters. 80 more pieces to fireform and the tuning begins. 70 of those 80 will be used on Sunday.
I have sized a few 6 BRA 1X fired brass with a Micron bushing die, and its pretty tight. I contacted Bullet Central and spoke with Chris Harris, he explained that the tight tolerance on the Micron dies is superior for consistency compared to other dies. I measured the fired and sized shoulders and its sizing it down .003" of an inch compared to the Redding die on the 6 BR which only sizes .001" on the shoulders. On the case web is normal on both cartridges at .470
Chris advised to use lanolin, and not Imperial wax lube which I have used all the time. I found some Lansinoh organic nipple balm at Wal Mart, which contains 100% lanolin. Don't get started about nipples.
Anyways, I put a little dab between my fingers, and put some on 4 -5 pieces and boy that thing is slick as butter and cuts the sizing effort by half compared to with imperial wax. Sized in increments until the bolt was able to close normally, and its measured at .003" bump. I won't sweat it, as soon as I get my Micron bushing die back from Bullet Central, then I'll anneal all my 1 X fired brass then I will check the bump again. This morning I shipped the die and brass to Bullet Central. Chris ( developer of Micron dies ) ) will go over the bushing die, bushing and 1X fired brass inspect them and he will make sure that the die is polished nicely and he will size those few pieces of 1 X fired brass I sent to him. Hope all goes well, I have faith and thinking positive.
I am pretty sure the BRA has potential by looking at the target. Until next time,,,,
I have sized a few 6 BRA 1X fired brass with a Micron bushing die, and its pretty tight. I contacted Bullet Central and spoke with Chris Harris, he explained that the tight tolerance on the Micron dies is superior for consistency compared to other dies. I measured the fired and sized shoulders and its sizing it down .003" of an inch compared to the Redding die on the 6 BR which only sizes .001" on the shoulders. On the case web is normal on both cartridges at .470
Chris advised to use lanolin, and not Imperial wax lube which I have used all the time. I found some Lansinoh organic nipple balm at Wal Mart, which contains 100% lanolin. Don't get started about nipples.
Anyways, I put a little dab between my fingers, and put some on 4 -5 pieces and boy that thing is slick as butter and cuts the sizing effort by half compared to with imperial wax. Sized in increments until the bolt was able to close normally, and its measured at .003" bump. I won't sweat it, as soon as I get my Micron bushing die back from Bullet Central, then I'll anneal all my 1 X fired brass then I will check the bump again. This morning I shipped the die and brass to Bullet Central. Chris ( developer of Micron dies ) ) will go over the bushing die, bushing and 1X fired brass inspect them and he will make sure that the die is polished nicely and he will size those few pieces of 1 X fired brass I sent to him. Hope all goes well, I have faith and thinking positive.I am pretty sure the BRA has potential by looking at the target. Until next time,,,,
