6MM BR 68 gr berger Viht n135 load help

[foxguy]

Hi, I have loaded probably 120 rounds testing loads- not seeing very good groups.
I have seen a dozen or more postings of shooters using the Viht n135 and getting good results, they may of had slower twist barrels??

I have been loading between 31.5 and 32.8 grs, I am not seeing any pressure, but I don't know the Start and Max Load values as neither Berger lists the Viht N135 powder with a 68 gr bullet nor does the vihtavuori site list a 68 gr bullet load values.
32.8 looks like it or possibly a little higher charge weight may shoot, But as this is a new rifle and I don't have Viht Load data- I decided I needed to stop and see if I could get Start and Max Load Data.


I was hoping possibly someone with Quick Load may help me out?

I am shooting a Savage F class 6mm BR, 30 inch barrel, 8 twist.
The berger 68 gr bullets measure .838 oal

Any and all help Appreciated.

Just looking for a Load with the Berger 68 gr bullet that will shoot well.

I will be loading and testing the Berger 80 gr bullet later and have the load data parameters for it. I am looking forward to that too.


Thanks

 

[SS427]

My 6BR load is 32.4 grains of N135 with 68 to 70 grain bullets with a 13.5 twist.

I had zero luck with Berger bullets in that gun with groups in the .4s. Using Sierra MatchKing, Barts or Hottenstein bullets it will shoot groups half that size.

Have you tried any other bullet in that weight?

 

[Terry Altom]

I believe that is way too fast a twist for the 68 grain class of bullets. I wouldn't go below a Berger 95 with it. 105-108 would be better.

 

[foxguy]

My 6BR load is 32.4 grains of V135 with 68 to 70 grain bullets with a 13.5 twist.

I had zero luck with Berger bullets in that gun with groups in the .4s. Using Sierra MatchKing, Barts or Hottenstein bullets it will shoot groups half that size.

Have you tried any other bullet in that weight?

I haven't yet, this is a new rifle for me, and the berger 68 is the first bullet I have tried, I was hoping to find a Load for it. I have heard good things about the Barts, but their again I wouldn't know the load Start / Max Limits. I am just about to move on to the 80 gr Berger and give it a try.

 

[rjstubbl]

I have two of the savage model 12 in 6 br
with the 8 twist barrel . Either the 68 grain fbhp or the 65 grain column bullet both
shoot well with 30.8 vv n133 . It will put them in one ragged hole if I do my part .

 

[foxguy]

I have two of the savage model 12 in 6 br
with the 8 twist barrel . Either the 68 grain fbhp or the 65 grain column bullet both
shoot well with 30.8 vv n133 . It will put them in one ragged hole if I do my part .

Thanks, I don't have any of the Viht n133, but a friend does and he will let me try some. I do see that the Viht n133 is a faster burn rate powder.

I may have to try a little lower powder charge weight of the n135.

Thanks

 

[WayneShaw]

I suggest you search how people load test using both powder charge AND seating depth. Either one can make or break groups.

 

[Greyfox]

I shoot a Cooper 6BR in UBR Factory Class from time to time. I use 68gr Hillbilly bullets (Larry Moore) and 31.5grs of N 135 with a CCI BR 4 primer. While I struggle with the factory stock in matches, the rifle is very accurate. In fact, the UBR Factory class record is held by a Cooper 6BR. My rifle and the record holder are both a 1-14" twist, but you shouldn't have a problem shooting lighter bullets with a fast twist. You may not get as much velocity, but the accuracy should still be there.
YMMV,
Rick

 

[BartsBullets]

FWIW. 68 gr bullets may never shoot in Great in your 8 twist barrel. My experience is it's about a 50/50 chance that they will shoot. I think you would be happier with a longer heavier bullet as suggested above.

Then again I don't know what kind of accuracy you are looking for.

Bart

 

[swadiver]

I had that rifle for awhile. it did shoot the 80gr Berger FB Varmit bullets very well with IMR 8208 XBR and Varget. same barrel as yours

 

[foxguy]

FWIW. 68 gr bullets may never shoot in Great in your 8 twist barrel. My experience is it's about a 50/50 chance that they will shoot. I think you would be happier with a longer heavier bullet as suggested above.

Then again I don't know what kind of accuracy you are looking for.

Bart

Hi Bart,

I would like to avg 1/2 in groups @ 200 yds, (some a little smaller and some a little larger) with the 68 grn bullets. I will be working up 80 gr bullet loads next and then moving onto 107 gr bullet loads. Thinking about this, I should of started with the heavier bullets first and then tried the 68 gr bullets???

I do have a Savage in 204 Ruger that shoots well @ 200 yds(less that .500 in grps) and I could continue to shoot that @ 200 for the local competitions.

I was just hoping I could do it with the Savage m12 in 6MM BR also. I may still be able to with heavier bullets, It's a loadings/learning progression with this rifle.

Thanks for your Suggestion

 

[foxguy]

I had that rifle for awhile. it did shoot the 80gr Berger FB Varmit bullets very well with IMR 8208 XBR and Varget. same barrel as yours

Thanks for the validation of the 80 gr bullets. They are next on my list. I may just move onto the 80 gr bullet, find a good load for it and come back to the 68gr later.

 

[BartsBullets]

Hi Bart,

I would like to avg 1/2 in groups @ 200 yds, (some a little smaller and some a little larger) with the 68 grn bullets. I will be working up 80 gr bullet loads next and then moving onto 107 gr bullet loads. Thinking about this, I should of started with the heavier bullets first and then tried the 68 gr bullets???

I do have a Savage in 204 Ruger that shoots well @ 200 yds(less that .500 in grps) and I could continue to shoot that @ 200 for the local competitions.

I was just hoping I could do it with the Savage m12 in 6MM BR also. I may still be able to with heavier bullets, It's a loadings/learning progression with this rifle.

Thanks for your Suggestion

Fox,

I think you'll like what you see with the 80s better. Picking the right powder makes a big difference.

Bart

 

[Greyfox]

Hi Bart,

I would like to avg 1/2 in groups @ 200 yds, (some a little smaller and some a little larger) with the 68 grn bullets. I will be working up 80 gr bullet loads next and then moving onto 107 gr bullet loads. Thinking about this, I should of started with the heavier bullets first and then tried the 68 gr bullets???

I do have a Savage in 204 Ruger that shoots well @ 200 yds(less that .500 in grps) and I could continue to shoot that @ 200 for the local competitions.

I was just hoping I could do it with the Savage m12 in 6MM BR also. I may still be able to with heavier bullets, It's a loadings/learning progression with this rifle.

Thanks for your Suggestion

I think I would agree with Bart that you may be better served with the 80gr bullets. Something else to consider is whether your rifle is capable of consistent 1/2" groups @ 200 yards. I know it's a popular internet thing to brag about little bitty groups, but in the real world there aren't all that many people shooting groups that size with factory rifles.
It doesn't take much wind to move you off the dime. Add that to the rifle's grouping ability and you might rethink the potential. It may be a "bridge too far".

Rick

 

[foxguy]

I think I would agree with Bart that you may be better served with the 80gr bullets. Something else to consider is whether your rifle is capable of consistent 1/2" groups @ 200 yards. I know it's a popular internet thing to brag about little bitty groups, but in the real world there aren't all that many people shooting groups that size with factory rifles.
It doesn't take much wind to move you off the dime. Add that to the rifle's grouping ability and you might rethink the potential. It may be a "bridge too far".

Rick

Rick,

Thanks for keepiing me grounded. I know- It's my hope that I got a Good Barrel in this Savage F class Shooter that I purchased. The club that I belong to is just beginning to have some local fun competitions at longer ranges. If not, After 1-2 years I will probably get a Shilen Select Match Barrel and hope I can get the smaller groups from it.

I am trying to test my loads with very light wind conditions so I have a good idea what the loads can do. I know I should wait for warmer weather and do a Ladder test @ about 300 yards in good conditions and that may get me to what I would like to see a little quicker as far as Powder load weight.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

I think I would agree with Bart that you may be better served with the 80gr bullets. Something else to consider is whether your rifle is capable of consistent 1/2" groups @ 200 yards. I know it's a popular internet thing to brag about little bitty groups, but in the real world there aren't all that many people shooting groups that size with factory rifles.
It doesn't take much wind to move you off the dime. Add that to the rifle's grouping ability and you might rethink the potential. It may be a "bridge too far".

Rick

A 1/2" agg at 200 yards would have handily won the Super Shoot HV in 2015, and placed 4th in LV. If you don't shoot competitively it can be hard to appreciate the difficulty of shooting 0.250 MOA "consistently" (or "all day long, when I do my part").

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?92672-2015-Super-Shoot-Results-Word-and-PDF

 

[Greyfox]

Rick,

Thanks for keepiing me grounded. I know- It's my hope that I got a Good Barrel in this Savage F class Shooter that I purchased. The club that I belong to is just beginning to have some local fun competitions at longer ranges. If not, After 1-2 years I will probably get a Shilen Select Match Barrel and hope I can get the smaller groups from it.

I am trying to test my loads with very light wind conditions so I have a good idea what the loads can do. I know I should wait for warmer weather and do a Ladder test @ about 300 yards in good conditions and that may get me to what I would like to see a little quicker as far as Powder load weight.

Glad you took this in the way I meant it. As Toby correctly points out, a .500 agg at 200 is damn tough for a custom rifle let alone a factory. If you don't already own some, get a set of wind flags. You can't shoot small groups without them. I've been shooting in competition over flags for sixteen years and still can't understand what they are telling me but I'm better than I was when I started.

Rick

 

[WyleWD]

I believe that is way too fast a twist for the 68 grain class of bullets. I wouldn't go below a Berger 95 with it. 105-108 would be better.

foxguy,

The above post has been more or less my experience. Your barrel "should" like the 103-108gr bullets best and easier to find a decent load for. So if I were you that's where I'd put my efforts. Then after you get confidence in your rifle test as you wish.

I have an 8 twist 6br similar to yours, it shoots best with the 103-107gr. bullets. When I try to develop loads for lighter bullets I find that the lighter bullets, ie the 95, 80, and 68's just don't shoot competitively, or don't stay in tune worth a hoot.JME. WD