Question that might catch me some heat

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

OK, so like I said this question is very debateable at the least, but here it goes.

As I sat here tonight primeing 6MM BR brass which as we know is a small rifle primer hole, I found that I had many older brass that the brass wasnt worn out but yet the primer hole is worn out and not keeping a small rifle primer in, Basically it just falls right out. Now as I was sitting there saying a few choice words, I came to the thought "what if I reemed out the Primer pocket to large rifle and then worked up the loads again starting about 10-15% below min charge. I cant seem to find any info out there of wether or not this would be considerd unsafe "what is unsafe" and I cant seem to find any one that has done it.

Would it really be that unsafe to do it, for grins and such I pulled out the large primer reemer and ran it into the brass "took a little longer than a normal trim" and then used the crimp remover for LR and put a nice bevel on the edge of the primer pocket, after making sure that it all looked smooth and clean I ran a LR primer into it and it fit great, not to deep and not sticking out. now granted that the 6MM-7MM BR brass is basically in all intesive purposes is based of the 243/308 that has been shortend, they use LR primers as we all know. so after a few mintues I now have a 6MM BR case that is ready to rock but with a LR primer in it. now comes the question, AND THIS IS STRICTLY A QUESTION AND I WILL NOT BE OFFENDED WITH YOUR COMENTS, now that the case has been made to accept LR primers, do you think that the Preasures or loads or gun would be in danger ? even if the load is down load and started from 10-15% below min ? is there anything that could possibly happen. this is mainly a question and maybe a possible answer to fellas that get worn out primer pockets yet the rest of the brass is in great shape. granted you could always order more brass at about 70.00 a 100, but what if you could prolong the brass life by adjusting the primer pocket to a different primer size. I feel that It may be ok, because there was in fact much BR brass in 308 made with small primer holes and yet the data isnt much different.

anyways I thought that I would get some thought from you fellas, and see if that it might be something to further test and see.

thanks for the input,
BIGGUNGOBOOM

[BigSlick]

I've always considered a stretched primer pocket a sign of well used brass.

Making the primer pocket larger will allow the seating of a LR primer, but it can't restore the original integrity of the brass itself.

If I had SR primed brass, new or once fired, known history brass, I might make the substitution to a LR *if* I couldn't get a SR primer ever again. If I were to find myself in that situation, I would definitely reduce the load, and maybe go to a slightly slower powder to start a workup with.

I don't see the value of holding onto worn brass just to save a few bucks. Even if a LR will seat fine, and you reduce, the increased risk of working in uncharted territory with known worn out brass in your new 6mm just isn't worth the risk in my mind.

I would feel pretty bad if I took the time and effort to ream all those pockets, and had a case rupture on the first shot that wrecked my new rifle, or me.

Sell the old stuff off to a scrap dealer or make a few keychains out of it and give em to folks for Christmas.

But, I do understand the sentiment, for real ;)

[Pitmaster]

I would think the removal of the brass would reduce the strength in that area. Depending upon the number of times fired I would think the seal could easily blow out.

Is it worth the time and possible problems to extend the life of a piece of brass a few times.

[cohutt]

In theory, that would be possible
In practice, not all theories should be tested.

[craig110]

I realize we're (at least mostly) all CRBs around here, but I don't see the point in getting into a specialty high-accuracy caliber like 6mmBR and then trying to save a nickel a shot using brass that is so worn out that other 6mmBR shooters have tossed it. That said, I do see how this could be an attractive option to ponder if the rest of the brass looks ok. If I were to do this -- and I doubt I would risk it -- I'd start much lower than just 10-15% under max in case the amount of brass around the primer hole is critical.

Have you considered whether after all this work the resuscitated "worn-out" brass would still be of sufficient quality to give you 6mmBR-level accuracy?

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Don't buy guns that take $70/100 brass, when a comparable case (.243) is half the price. It seems like you are trying to head down the fancy wildcat target shooting path, but being cheap about it. Like Craig said, you got a 6mmBR for how accurate they are, but want to run worn out brass trying to do it?

Just to know, what kind of brass is it? If it's Lapua and the pocket is loose then it's probably been shot a lot, but if it's Remington maybe not. So, if it's Remington and has a loose pocket after just a couple of firings then the rest of the brass might still be in real good shape. With Lapua since it seems to be a lot tougher, I would think when the pockets loosen then the whole case is trashed.

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

Not trying to be cheap, I can order hundreds of brass, It was more a question of opportunity. thought that it might be a way to get a few more reloads out. it seems plausible that it will work, the question was more of would you and what would you do.

[Brass Nazi]

Yes it is plausible.


But it is not worth the risk. Toss that brass in the scrap bin now! A few dollars saved is not worth ruining a rifle, or your hands, or your face.

[craig110]

Not trying to be cheap, I can order hundreds of brass, It was more a question of opportunity. thought that it might be a way to get a few more reloads out. it seems plausible that it will work, the question was more of would you and what would you do.

Ok, sticking to your specific questions then, no, I would not resize the primer hole to LR and what I would do is enjoy some new brass to go with my new caliber.

[Washington,D.C.]

If the primer pockets are stretched I'd wonder how much of the rest of the cases are stretched and thinned. It might be time to retire the cases when the primer pockets get too big to hold a primer.

[Bush Pilot]

Curious, what type of gun is the 6BR in? You have a cartridge which has the potential to be a tack driver (most are) Why cut corners on brass? You need to get 250 (or so) new cases and a collet die for neck sizing, the brass will last forever if you don't load them too hot. Let us know your progress on the 6BR, I'm thinking about getting a rifle built in that cartridge and will be following your progress.

[JW6108]

Slick covered all the angles pretty well; if you just had to because brass completely dried up, it might be worth looking into.

Rim diameter is .473, the same as .30-06, .270, et al, so there is plenty of room for a LR pocket. I do wonder about the rest of the case and how true the reaming job can be done.

Feasible: sure.
Desirable: probably not.

[VN350X10]

If nothing else, I'd section a case after enlarging the primer pocket & also section an un-altered case , comparing the material left in the base.
Since the parent case IS made using a lg. primer & the small was an accuracy change, adding that it's a solid head case, I would then need to factor in my time involved.
If it was an old "balloon" head case, there wouldn't be enough material to open it up.
Probably wouldn't do it thou....I'd spend my time in a more profitable pursuit.......
Like watching "Gilligan's Island" re-runs.

uncle albert

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

yea, It was a thought, I don't plan on doing it. but was wondering if it would be possible. dont worry I have new brass on the way. plenty to last a while. this was more of a could ya, would ya, can ya. something to get the wheels turning. I don't plan on doing it because I don't want to ruin my new toy. been something I have wanted for a good amount of time, and now that I have it, I want to make it last as long as possible. I will post pics when the stock is finished and the new scope is on.

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

Curious, what type of gun is the 6BR in? You have a cartridge which has the potential to be a tack driver (most are) Why cut corners on brass? You need to get 250 (or so) new cases and a collet die for neck sizing, the brass will last forever if you don't load them too hot. Let us know your progress on the 6BR, I'm thinking about getting a rifle built in that cartridge and will be following your progress.


Bush Pilot, it is a Rem 660 action, that has been trued and blueprinted, the barrel is a Shilen Select match heavy conture with ratchet twist cut to a 262 Neck, barrel is cut to 28 inch's,H&S stock "psc027" match stock, Jewel trigger set in the OZ as pull weight, all bedded and floated just waiting on the glass to get here and some more brass, gun also has custom Wilson hand dies that were cut from the same reemer. I think it will shoot awesome. hopefully I will find out soon. but there will be a full report.

[BigSlick]

Sounds hella nice :thumbsup:

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

Slick you have no Idea how jazzed I am to get this thing shooting, I am glad that I was able to move the 338 Lapua and go to something that I can really test myself and shoot a lot more. scope is ordered "Mueller 8X32X44" I think it will be the perfect scope for the gun. I cant wait to get it shooting for sure. been wanting a nice BR for a long time and now I have one. super siked

[BigSlick]

You're gonna need one a these :supergrin:



http://images.delphiglass.com/image_new/190369.jpg

[Bush Pilot]

Bush Pilot, it is a Rem 660 action, that has been trued and blueprinted, the barrel is a Shilen Select match heavy conture with ratchet twist cut to a 262 Neck, barrel is cut to 28 inch's,H&S stock "psc027" match stock, Jewel trigger set in the OZ as pull weight, all bedded and floated just waiting on the glass to get here and some more brass, gun also has custom Wilson hand dies that were cut from the same reemer. I think it will shoot awesome. hopefully I will find out soon. but there will be a full report.

Schweet, can you say "one hole"?

[creophus]

Don't do it. It might blow up in yo face.

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

update, one of the fellas on 6mmbr.com found the place that carry's and makes the primer pocket reshaping tool, its pretty neat as well. 30.00 might be worth a try.

[mbradst]

Where is Clark when you need him? I bet he could shed some light on the topic.

[Brass Nazi]

Where is Clark when you need him? I bet he could shed some light on the topic.

If not he would find some brass and convert it and stuff it full of titegroup and see if his rifle could handle it.