Varmint caliber ideas?

[centershot]

Sounds like you have enough rifles already to cover everything for PD. I still like the 6BR and 6BRX have both. The real problem is if you want to load 2-3 thousand rounds to prepare for a PD hunt. I am not a 223 fan but they will do the job out to reasonable distance. 5.56/223 are the cheapest brass to buy. I have given about 5000 pieces of range pickups to a friend. There is nothing wrong with range pickups if you examine them and toss out brands you don't like. I week ago I picked up 150 once fired 5.56 Lake City brass. Gave it away.

Do you want to fire form 2000 cases then reload for a PD hunt? Some of the 6mm are known to shoot small groups when fire forming.

I just got back from a PD hunt. I shot a lot of unformed cases at the dogs. Not a bad way to make your brass. Was making a lot of hits at 200 and one nice one at 300. I took some of each, formed and unformed. Although I liked the higher velocity of the improved cases, was surprised at the results using the standard unformed cases. Another thought.

 

[6MMsteve]

if you have a 220 swift for light bullets then build a 220 rocket for heavy bullets, use the swift brass for the rocket after a couple firings

 

[people]

Sounds like you have enough rifles already to cover everything for PD. I still like the 6BR and 6BRX have both. The real problem is if you want to load 2-3 thousand rounds to prepare for a PD hunt. I am not a 223 fan but they will do the job out to reasonable distance. 5.56/223 are the cheapest brass to buy. I have given about 5000 pieces of range pickups to a friend. There is nothing wrong with range pickups if you examine them and toss out brands you don't like. I week ago I picked up 150 once fired 5.56 Lake City brass. Gave it away.

Do you want to fire form 2000 cases then reload for a PD hunt? Some of the 6mm are known to shoot small groups when fire forming.

I mainly run just a 223 in all of my uppers. I do have a bolt in 223AI. I was surprised how accurate fire forming loads can be. I only did 500rds as I almost never shoot a bolt for PD. I do how ever load 4 to 8k at a time for my PD shooting. I found a load that shoots very well from my reamer and barrels I use.

Like you I do not go with out several thousand rounds. I do bring several uppers and a few rifles.

 

[Webster]

Webster, you failed to mention what the velocity was in this? Barrel burner traditionally have very fast velocities.
Steve

Webster, you failed to mention what the velocity was in this? Barrel burner traditionally have very fast velocities.
Steve

Maybe off topic to original OP post? The discussion went to barrel life.

Just shot this target today. All five shot groups. I don't consider myself highly skilled. I still have poor trigger pull and a slight occasional flinch. Cannot hold the rifle dead still.


700 REM BDL purchased 1968 action not trued.
15 X Unertl Ultra Varmint scope purchased about 1975
glass bedded
Jewel trigger
28" varmint weight Kreiger 14 twist 6BR barrel o.065" freebore. 6BR NORMA
4009 shots down the barrel

Top row all 58 Hornady VMax all 33.3 gr 8208 COAL only variable
Bottom row all 55 gr Nosler 33.3 gr 8208 COAL only variable
all 6 Rem 7 1/2 primer
Lapua brass

 

[CT10ring]

Jortz,
Great question ! - you got alot of info, great to learn of others recommendations.
I moved from standard calibers to : 6mmAR, 22BR & 6X47. All are easy to form, make and great shooters.
I'd have to say the 6X47 w an 88 Berger FB varmint 1/8 twist is a great longer range round. The only downside
is that if you "run out" of ammo away from home, then a 22-250 looks good, too. Happy shooting.

 

[JORTZ]

Maybe off topic to original OP post? The discussion went to barrel life.

Just shot this target today. All five shot groups. I don't consider myself highly skilled. I still have poor trigger pull and a slight occasional flinch. Cannot hold the rifle dead still.


700 REM BDL purchased 1968 action not trued.
15 X Unertl Ultra Varmint scope purchased about 1975
glass bedded
Jewel trigger
28" varmint weight Kreiger 14 twist 6BR barrel o.065" freebore. 6BR NORMA
4009 shots down the barrel

Top row all 58 Hornady VMax all 33.3 gr 8208 COAL only variable
Bottom row all 55 gr Nosler 33.3 gr 8208 COAL only variable
all 6 Rem 7 1/2 primer
Lapua brass
View attachment 1020682

That good shooting for 4k rounds down the barrel

 

[JORTZ]

Jortz,
Great question ! - you got alot of info, great to learn of others recommendations.
I moved from standard calibers to : 6mmAR, 22BR & 6X47. All are easy to form, make and great shooters.
I'd have to say the 6X47 w an 88 Berger FB varmint 1/8 twist is a great longer range round. The only downside
is that if you "run out" of ammo away from home, then a 22-250 looks good, too. Happy shooting.

That a good idea 6x47 or 6.5x47

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Just broke in my 22-250 ai. Its a truck gun coyote/wolf/deer rig. Light weight on a 700 action. Rock Creek 7.5 twist 24". I threw 36-37 grains of h4350 in 20 cases and seated some 75 grain eldm bullets. Have no idea if they are jumping or jamming and how much, lol. Have not even bothered to find my touch number yet. Easy .5 moa fire forming and light on the recoil. Should be a laser to 300 and a little over the back hold at 400.

 

[JORTZ]

Just broke in my 22-250 ai. Its a truck gun coyote/wolf/deer rig. Light weight on a 700 action. Rock Creek 7.5 twist 24". I threw 36-37 grains of h4350 in 20 cases and seated some 75 grain eldm bullets. Have no idea if they are jumping or jamming and how much, lol. Have not even bothered to find my touch number yet. Easy .5 moa fire forming and light on the recoil. Should be a laser to 300 and a little over the back hold at 400.

Just so many good choices. Ive thought alot about the 22250 i have one that i shoot 80gr amax out of. Always wanted a ai version. Any clue how much velocity your getting

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Just so many good choices. Ive thought alot about the 22250 i have one that i shoot 80gr amax out of. Always wanted a ai version. Any clue how much velocity your getting

No, I expect about 3400 in formed cases.

 

[Webster]

6BR 12 tw use 70gr Sierra Blitzkings. I have one shot kills on groundhogs out to 700 yds. The 12 tw will shoot the 87gr vmax. The 6BR can't be matched for accuracy.
Mark

With my 6BR I shoot 70 gr Sierra BlitzKings with 33.6 gr of Varget 3306 fps. Very accurate. No pressure. Could have gone faster.

 

[JLT]

No, I expect about 3400 in formed cases.

Should be no sweat with the AI case and 75 gr. bullets. I use H100V behind the 75 gr. AMax and I get 3,400 + comfortably out of a 26" barrel. The 53 gr. VMax is an absolute bomb at 3,900 but I don't know if it'll hold together at that velocity out of a 7.5 twist.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I shoot the 55 grain nosler and 60 sierra hp in 8 twist dasher barrels for gophers. That fast twist really helps them blow! Never had any trouble with them coming apart in the air. Had them up to about 4k

 

[JORTZ]

As always great info on this forum!!

 

[Webster]

That good shooting for 4k rounds down the barrel

Yesterday I had my 6BR barrel checked with a bore scope. 4009 rounds on the barrel. No carbon ring, about 0.030" more freebore. Slight erosion for about 3". I was told the barrel looked like it had about 1000 rounds not 4000. Still shoots small.

 

[JORTZ]

Yesterday I had my 6BR barrel checked with a bore scope. 4009 rounds on the barrel. No carbon ring, about 0.030" more freebore. Slight erosion for about 3". I was told the barrel looked like it had about 1000 rounds not 4000. Still shoots small.

U got me convinced to build a 6br now.
Ive seen comments done research and seems to be the answer for me. The 87gr vmax would be good choice. Now with u and others getting at least 3k to more rounds out of a barrel

 

[Webster]

U got me convinced to build a 6br now.
Ive seen comments done research and seems to be the answer for me. The 87gr vmax would be good choice. Now with u and others getting at least 3k to more rounds out of a barrel

I would consider the 6BRX. A little more speed if you want it. If you want the barrel to last longer cut back a little on the powder. You don't have to push the speed just because the cartridge can do it. When I am at the range I try to get about 1 minute between shots. Supposed to be easier on the barrel. My only problem is finding GH. Never tried H1000 powder, guys are saying it is a lot easier on barrels and higher fps.? Not sure if it's the correct powder or 6BR. Will check it out.

 

[timeout]

U got me convinced to build a 6br now.
Ive seen comments done research and seems to be the answer for me. The 87gr vmax would be good choice. Now with u and others getting at least 3k to more rounds out of a barrel

You will love the BR.

 

[AckleymanII]

6 BRX with a short throat in a 12 twist will shoot the 55-60g bullets at 4000+ on 26" barrel with AA2230 , 3/4" groups at 300 yards. Barrels last a very, very long time with H335 and AA2230 with these light bullets. Start with zero freebore if you can find a gunsmith with a reamer. This cartridge is a hell on wheels for blowing stuff sky high, 65g V max at 3700+ and 70g Blitz kings at 3550-3650, and mine have zero freebore...a secret to very long barrel life. I shoot AA2230 with 55-65g bullets and H335 with 70g blitz kings.

My 6 BR with a 12Twist, zero freebore shoots the 55-60g bullets at 3900 with aa2230 and 3800+ with H335 with very tiny groups also. I would be sure that the reamer used is set up to eliminate the "click" at the top of the bolt lift, because the best accuracy is right at a top end load. 55g Noslers in 6mm have a higher BC than their 22 caliber counter part. So, who would think that the tiny 6 BR would outperform the 220 Swift with the same bullet weight?

I have two 6 Dashers, also that are the equal of the 6 BRX in speed with accuracy, but the are throated each for a 87g V max and a 105 A max.

I do not believe that it is prudent to put a .105 throat or longer in a barrel then go to shooting 55g bullets as the bullets will only jump so far before they start crooked in the throat(when the barrel is new, often the barrel will shoot great...not so much 2500 rounds down the bore with the light bullets).

VERY FEW would believe just how accurate a 60g sierra Hp can be in a 14-12 twist barrel with zero freebore in any of these calibers above.

 

[varmintshooter]

People say get a 6mm because its better in the wind. Then they say shoot lite bullets that are terrible in the wind. Just doesn't make sense.
They say 22 cal is bad in the wind. But with heavy bullets a 22 cal is better in the wind than lite bullets out of a 6mm, go figure.
The best velocity and BC together is where its at as long as long as the accuracy is acceptable. JMO