Alpha Munitions Optimized Case Head Technology

Alpha Munitions has some new technology on its hands they’re calling Optimized Case Head Technology, and it’s rolling out across their product line. So, how does this tech benefit you? For starters, you get outstanding brass life and pressure containment - two pretty important features for those reloading their own ammunition - and a case capable of withstanding some pretty extreme pressure.
Alpha Munitions has taken extraordinary steps to create a product a premium product worthy of its name; from single-source brass cups all the way to their precise end-product. The results are spectacular; numerous pieces have been reloaded (with safety measures in place), above maximum SAMMI-spec pressure levels in-excess of 20 times before a deviation in primer pocket tension was measured. But wait, there’s more.
Sit back, relax and I’ll walk you through the steps Alpha Munitions has taken to create this best-in-class brass for your precision rifle needs.

[@colbyjenkins1544]

If there's only one guy I can take into combat with me, it would be Tom, and I would be standing behind him. :) Tom, let's reconnect. Congratulations on your success in educating the world! Colby

[@TheDaclub]

Tommy B is the man. 👍🏼🇺🇸

[@bobbygonzon5428]

Love the knowledge bombs. 💣
Thank you 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@EChunter]

Loading manuals are so conservative , none of mine have a 6gt , 6 dasher, 6 brx , so where is the manual data for the brass they make ? How many competition shooters stick to book data ?

[@JohnSmith-ir5pv]

I've heard of people getting high pressure out of standard loads with alpha brass... I'll stick to lapua

[@tonys9391]

Which powder? Varget?

[@martingagnon4547]

Primer will show the overpressure signs

[@LRRPFco52]

Not always. There are times where even proof loads won't show any abnormal signs on primers. We still look at any indication, but reading primer signs isn't a reliable method for determining pressure.
Chronographs of whatever type are your best indicator, checked with industry-published references.

[@martingagnon4547]

@@LRRPFco52 I agree. Primers signs are not reliable, but at least they tend to show the trend while you increase the load... until you get to sticky bolt lift... then you know you're really over max.
Chrono + references are often reliable, until your particular cartridge + barrel is over pressure before max published data. It happenned to me with my 3 rifles I own now.
The more info you can collect the better it is.

[@martingagnon4547]

​@@LRRPFco52 As your answer was well written, I assume that you're an experienced reloader! Thanks for your answer! I'm still on my learning curve, so if you have links to share, I'd be happy to read them... The best article I have read about reading pressure signs was published by Primal rights. Here it is. www.primalrights.com/library/articles/understanding-pressure

[@LRRPFco52]

@@martingagnon4547 You can establish a trend over the chronograph by measuring 1% case capacity increment increases and how that affects velocity with an initial set of pressure ladders.
You will see where the trend departs in a certain range, called an "excursion".
One of the most common reloading mistakes I see are people using .5gr increments on smaller cases where they don't get the resolution needed to track the trends, then have a massive spike in pressure.
For .223 Rem, use .2gr increments since actual powder capacity is in the mid 20s.
For 28-34gr case capacity, use .3gr increments.
For 36-44gr cases, use .4gr (6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5CM, .308 Win., etc.)
A lot of guys learned to reload from their dads, uncles, or grandfathers who were usually loading for .30-06 or larger, which is at least a 50gr case capacity carrtridge. That's where the .5gr increment comes from. You can get away with it in .308 Win. since so many charges are in the mid 40gr region.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@martingagnon4547 I was basically raised from a very early age with reloading, starting with my grandpa's perspective. He was a head machinist for Douglas working on Titanium tubes for A-3 & A-4 refueling booms and tailhooks.
Before I was even in grade school, he would break out a micrometer or calipers and show me different cases that he loaded for, talking about the difference between .30-06, 7mm Mauser, and his .257 Roberts that he built on an Arisaka. That was in the 1970s.
When I got out of the Army, I worked at an FFL that sold a lot of reloading supplies, and started loading for .308 Win for competition.
All the guys who mentored me have been experienced competitors, machinists, or engineers.
My dad taught me a lot about applied physics, so I think a lot about pressure containment and metallurgy from that perspective as well.
I always work up loads starting with a 1% increment pressure ladder over a chronograph to see what the charges do under the particular bullet.