Lapua 6BR Case Problem

jackie schmidt

jackie schmidt

New member
I have run into a problem with the lastest batch of 6BR brass that I use to make my 30BR cases. I bought 100 two months ago and made them up.

I have made countless 30 BR cases from Lapua 6BR over the years. Suddenly, I am getting neck separation where the original 6BR case neck junction was. In the past 3 matches, I have noticed 5 cases that this has showed up on. I lost one during a Match.

Since I have never had this problem before, I figure maybe Lapua missed the anneal on the necks. The cases shoot great, just failures.

Anybody else notice this?

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I've made up cases from recently purchased brass and haven't seen this problem. But I have started annelling after the expansion and neck turning. I was getting more cracks, splits in the neck area more than any other problems.
 
How many times have you shot them Jackie? I have a set that I bought maybe 5 months ago. I have shot thru some of them maybe 3 times and haven't seen any issues yet. Maybe I am on thin ice. Guess I better go look at them real closely.

joe
 
I'm on about the 4th firing.

I have cases in older lots that I have lost count on how many times I have fired them. We all kinda joke....."can you wear a 30BR case out"?

This problem just cropped up with this lot of brass.
 
Yep. My old cases have countless firings on them.

I bought these new cases maybe 5 months ago. Finally made them up about a month ago.
 
A while ago I had some Lapua 6BR brass, say six boxes.

I was forming it up for fireforming for some AR uppers I built in 6, 6.5, 30 & 338 BRX.

I had two boxes of one lot number & the others were another number.

Those two boxes would split the necks whilst necking up to 30 with the proper Redding 30 BR tapered expander.

The other boxes wouldn't even consider doing that.

After splitting a few cases I figured the problem & annealed them, problem solved...

The long & short of it you shouldn't have to anneal brand new brass, whichever the brand..... this could be your problem...

You need to be careful annealing before expanding as it may get too soft & collapse
 
This is definetally an annealing problem, or to better put it, Lapua has altered their process to some degree.

I have another box of 100 bought at the same time I bought these. I blew one out and you can see a definite line where the original neck shoulder junction was. I scrounged around and found a unfired 6 BR case from some years back. I loaded it, and blew it out. No line, just a faint shadow.

Here is a picture of the two cases. The one on the left is the brand new lot, the one on the right, from way back when.

I guess I am going to have to anneal my cases now before I blow them out. My entire 30BR program is predicated on making cases in this manner. I really do not wish to change things.

I might invest in a annealing machine. Not cheap, but maybe a good thing to have considering how much we shoot. I don't care to use the propane torch method.
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Jackie:

The cases you blew out for me several months ago look like your case on the left. It's less prominent in some of the cases but still obvious. I assumed this was normal as my 6 Dasher cases show the same artifact after fire forming.

If you do decide to invest in an annealer, I give top marks to the AMP unit. I hated the torches and this annealer is a dream to use. Good luck!
 
That line is probably where the 6mm neck ended. Is it a thicker section of brass, or thinner? If thicker, use of a neck reamer will probably remove it. Agree that annealing before necking up is probably a better answer though.
 
Two views of a pals recent experience - several cases did this.

two pics of same case . . . never seen anything like this before. recently purchased LAPUA 6BR NORMA. :confused: RG
 

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R.G. Robinett said:
two pics of same case . . . never seen anything like this before. recently purchased LAPUA 6BR NORMA. :confused: RG
Click to expand...

I had similar fractures in some "good" once fired IVI 50 cal brass I reformed to 416 Barrett a few years ago now, the brass was way to hard & needed annealing badly

They only showed up after a few firings
 
jackie schmidt said:
I'm on about the 4th firing.

I have cases in older lots that I have lost count on how many times I have fired them. We all kinda joke....."can you wear a 30BR case out"?

This problem just cropped up with this lot of brass.
Click to expand...

What is the Lot#? If I had this lot, I will check with those shooters and see if they have had any issues.
 
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