E. A. Brown Accuracy Barrel

Since I first responded to your post, there has been a lot of new info that has come out. I will stand by my comment stating that once fired brass should not be a problem, but there are a lot of qualifiers that go along with that. The first is that is assuming the brass was full length resized in a die that squeezes the base down to a MINIMUM of .0015" smaller than whatever YOUR chamber measures If you only have a .001" or less clearance at the web to start with and if those reamer marks on your brass we're from that chamber, there is not much doubt in my mind that it won't extract without difficulty. This becomes more pronounced in a low taper case.

I have had problems with once fired brass in my 6.5x284 and my new barrel too. I think bigngreen is correct and he has a ton of experience with the cal.

carpetman2 said:

I have had problems with once fired brass in my 6.5x284 and my new barrel too. I think bigngreen is correct and he has a ton of experience with the cal.

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I too put a lot of faith in what Rhian says!

elkaholic,
I adjusted the die when I first got the barrel so it would full length size. I have now adjusted it to cam over hard against the shell holder.

If what they are saying is true about a 6.5x284...wouldn't you have to pitch the brass after 5 or 6 firings...if you just bump the shoulder the brass will cause a hard to close bolt. The die will never size the case back small enough to chamber easily.....

I don't know if I'm buying that!

Brass has memory, once you blow it out so far in order to bring it back to a smaller size and function you have to size it down past that same point or when it fires it does not want to spring back like normal. The 6.5x284 really needs a small base die, when I order my next reamer I'm putting a couple thou in the base just because of this.
It's not uncommon to get clickers with new brass after a few firings with this chamberings and match specs without a tight die to match.

CaptnC said:

elkaholic,
I adjusted the die when I first got the barrel so it would full length size. I have now adjusted it to cam over hard against the shell holder.

If what they are saying is true about a 6.5x284...wouldn't you have to pitch the brass after 5 or 6 firings...if you just bump the shoulder the brass will cause a hard to close bolt. The die will never size the case back small enough to chamber easily.....

I don't know if I'm buying that!

Click to expand...

CaptnC said:

elkaholic,
I adjusted the die when I first got the barrel so it would full length size. I have now adjusted it to cam over hard against the shell holder.

If what they are saying is true about a 6.5x284...wouldn't you have to pitch the brass after 5 or 6 firings...if you just bump the shoulder the brass will cause a hard to close bolt. The die will never size the case back small enough to chamber easily.....

I don't know if I'm buying that!

Click to expand...

All I'm saying is that when you fire the brass in your chamber and then measure the web, your die should size it down to at least .0015" smaller or it will stick the next firing no matter the brass. If your chamber has reamer marks and it is a low taper case, it's even worse!
Also, it gets less tolerant with more firings because it doesn't spring back in the chamber as easily with hardening, but no matter what, you need at least .0015" clearance to start.

Does anyone make a small base die for 6.5X284?

I've seen both 308 and 5.56...I always thought that was because they were fired in semi-autos...learn something new everyday...

EDIT:
They do!
http://www.brunoshooters.com/product/5396.html

Why doesn't anyone talk about this? It's a first for me!

CaptnC said:

Does anyone make a small base die for 6.5X284?

I've seen both 308 and 5.56...I always thought that was because they were fired in semi-autos...learn something new everyday...

Click to expand...

Pretty sure Redding does and likely RCBS too

Was reading all this great info because I have a 300wm heavy varmint barrel from E.A.B and now freaked out it's going to be an issue. I haven't put it on yet.

smokin502 said:

Was reading all this great info because I have a 300wm heavy varmint barrel from E.A.B and now freaked out it's going to be an issue. I haven't put it on yet.

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"Be afwaid! Be vewy afwaid!"

Just kidding... Couldn't resist! I do hope everything goes well with your barrel and you build a real shooter.

smokin502 said:

Was reading all this great info because I have a 300wm heavy varmint barrel from E.A.B and now freaked out it's going to be an issue. I haven't put it on yet.

Click to expand...

I'm sure your going to be fine. I just hope you dont, then don't have to deal with the owner. Customer Service is well into the negative side of the scale.

Got the barrel...it appears they test fired it.

You can see the machine marks in the brass through the zip lok.


Zoomed in on it a little more...

Took the family out for dinner, back at the work bench with the barrel and brass.

They cleaned the bore, it's spotless. Judging from the test case the load was not a mild load. Looks like primer flowed back around the firing pin...into the firing pin hole. That case fall right into the chamber!

Ok...mic'd the base of the web. Their brass 0.4990 my brass 0.4995. I adjusted the die down far enough it cams over a lot hard than I have ever set a die. It still measures 0.4995...


I tried to get a picture of the chamber but it's not working.

One question for everyone who has received a premium barrel.

If your barrel blued, did the blue the chamber? I remember being in my dad's way while he hot blued rifles back in the late 60's/70's. If I recall correctly (should have ask him when he cam by work...didn't think about it), but he plugged off both ends to make sure none of the solution got in the bore or chamber.

The bluing on the barrel is top notch...

Any way...going to measure some Gunwerks fired cases before going to bed. 65 hour work week is wearing on me!

Sounds like your die is not quite tight enough to size the brass to fit. Try a small base die to see if that is the case you will know immediately if that is the issue.
Call whidden and ask if his die will work with your measurements. Many times you need to find a different size

Might check with the Harrels in Va, they can make a tighter die too

The Gunwerks Lapua brass measured the smallest at 0.4935, but still wouldn't go all the in...maybe 0.010 short.



This picture/post I'm sure will void any warranty I might have had after the phone incident. But I thought I'd it doesn't actually do anything no real harm done.

Drilled and tapped the case that had my jag still inside. The cut the case off. Lubed it good and ran it through the die a couple times in am attempt is get it as small as possible (that didn't help, but I tried). Coated the case with JB bore paste, which came with the barrel.

Chucked up the case with plenty of JB...ran the drill slow enough you could easily read the head stamp as it went by. I did that twice.

My original brass still no go, but the Gunwerks drops in just like the Nosler case they sent!

Sooooooooo.....I have 35 cases to play with while I wait on a small base die.

Tomorrow I will reassemble everything and see what happens once the bolt closes. If that's good, then I will load up the brass I have for a range Trip on Sunday...I have two other rifles that need some loads tested so I will get a bunch of trigger time Sunday.

I will post up again tomorrow with the results with the barrel mounted to the action.

Oh...one last thing...from the picture of their "our test round" they need to spring for a new reamer.

IMO - If I was cutting chambers on customers barrels, you can bet I wouldn't let a chamber like that out of my shop. That fine for a factory barrel, but not custom work!