6PPC-Need Schooling

[HTSmith]

I'm considering buying a used benchrest rifle in 6PPC. I'm not a competitor though I'd like to try some of the score matches that are around here. I really don't know what I don't know. My biggest question is how to get/make brass. The rifle I'm looking at has a .262 neck. Then there's bullets, powder, and dies.

I have three 6BR's and I have to skim necks for one of them so I do have 6mm neck turning gear. But turning down to that much sounds like a lot.

What advice would you give. Thanks in advance.

 

[butchlambert]

I first fireform without a bullet, 20 grns of Bullseye and candle wax to seal the neck. It takes very little to expand the neck and then turn.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you skim turn now its no big deal to turn them to .0085 for a 262. Dj’s brass will hydroform and turn them so youre ready to load and shoot. A good turner can turn em in one pass- the pma, 21st or k&m does fine for me. Next barrel you get make it a 268nk and itll be even easier

 

[INShooter]

Buy the rifle and replace the barrel. As Dusty says get it with a .268 neck. Makes neck turning easy.
PPC barrels are a consumable item anyway. Can't have too many.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Always buy a ppc assuming it will need a new barrel so price accordingly

 

[jimmymac]

There is good advice here regarding the barrel. Plan on replacing it in short order.

For brass, Lapua is the most popular choice. You'd need to get yourself some .220 Russian brass, then expand up to 6mm. Norma offers 6PPC brass. If you go that you won't need to expand from .22 to 6mm. I've tried the Norma brass. I prefer Lapua, but other guys like the Norma fine.

If you have the turning gear, do them yourself. If you stick with the .262 neck, Id turn in two steps, although some don't. For the .268 neck I run, it's strictly one pass.

For powder, you'll need N133 or LT32. For dies, I'd send Harrell's Precision three pieces of 3X fired brass from your chamber that was neck sized only. They will send you back the appropriate die in short order. Harrell's dies are great for the price. For bullets, you'll need something in the 65 to 68 grain range. Berger 68 FB is a nice starter bullet. Boutique bullets are a better choice though and typically don't cost any more than Berger. Bart, Cheek, C-Bar or Hillbilly can fix you up. There are others that offer good bullets.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

There is good advice here regarding the barrel. Plan on replacing it in short order.

For brass, Lapua is the most popular choice. You'd need to get yourself some .220 Russian brass, then expand up to 6mm. Norma offers 6PPC brass. If you go that you won't need to expand from .22 to 6mm. I've tried the Norma brass. I prefer Lapua, but other guys like the Norma fine.

If you have the turning gear, do them yourself. If you stick with the .262 neck, Id turn in two steps, although some don't. For the .268 neck I run, it's strictly one pass.

For powder, you'll need N133 or LT32. For dies, I'd send Harrell's Precision three pieces of 3X fired brass from your chamber that was neck sized only. They will send you back the appropriate die in short order. Harrell's dies are great for the price. For bullets, you'll need something in the 65 to 68 grain range. Berger 68 FB is a nice starter bullet. Boutique bullets are a better choice though and typically don't cost any more than Berger. Bart, Cheek, C-Bar or Hillbilly can fix you up. There are others that offer good bullets.

Ill second all this and add in there that the berger column bullet is my favorite recommendation if a custom bullet isnt in the cards

 

[Ccrider]

I first fireform without a bullet, 20 grns of Bullseye and candle wax to seal the neck. It takes very little to expand the neck and then turn.

Will the 220 brass chamber in a .262 neck without trimming before fireforming?

 

[butchlambert]

Will the 220 brass chamber in a .262 neck without trimming before fireforming?

Sure, just measure it.

 

[Richard Coody]

New barrel is a good.idea. any idea how many rounds now? Hate to get.tight necked brass all set up and then have to start over.

For brass D J's brass service. Tell him what you need

https://djsbrass.com/

Sizing die send harrells three pieces of 3 times.fired and not resized brass. Best.$75 you can spend

Then a wilson in line seater and arbor press

 

[rsmithsr50]

or
if SCORE is the game
consider a 30 br instead

 

[HTSmith]

Thanks for all the info. It's a bunch to take in. I was hoping to at least get my feet wet with the existing barrel. Owner says it has 800 rds. Course if it were a match winner, I doubt it would be for sale. I bet there are some used dies/bushings around if y'all are converting to the 268 necks. I'm trying to ease into this.

Would a flat base or boat tail bullet be best for starting out?

Butch I have a whole keg of Red Dot, wonder if it would work as well as Bullseye?

rsmith, wouldn't a 30BR take a bigger bolt face?

thanks again all

 

[Ccrider]

If you are serious, I would say buy your own reamer for your smith to use. If your barrel is not worn out have him clean up the chamber and use it to fireform/practice with. Also get him to chamber a new barrel for you at the same time. After fireforming, send the unsized brass to Harrell’s for a full length bushing die.

I would start off with one bullet-a flat based because for me, they are easier to tune. Reach out to Bart. If you shoot a lots, buy at least 1000. You will not regret it.

As stated above, by an arbor press and a Wilson microseater die.

I would buy 8lbs of N133. Some say it is harder to learn starting out and I don’t doubt it. But N133 is the go-to powder. Buy one pound first and if the kit works for you, go ahead and get the 8 pounder.

 

[kcjim]

Sure, just measure it.

It’s been my experience that you will need to neck turn the Lapua brass first for a .262 neck.

I switched to a .268 neck a couple of years ago. You will still need to neck turn Lapua brass for a .268 neck, but not necessary with Norma brass. A loaded bullet in unturned Norma brass gives me a .265 diameter with a couple of different lots. Norma brass shoots very well.

 

[jimmymac]

It’s been my experience that you will need to neck turn the Lapua brass first for a .262 neck.

Not if you fire form the 220 brass prior to expanding to 6mm.

 

[kcjim]

Sorry, I have never tried that. I have always expanded to 6mm first. I don’t have a .22 caliber barrel for my benchrest guns.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

If you are serious, I would say buy your own reamer for your smith to use. If your barrel is not worn out have him clean up the chamber and use it to fireform/practice with. Also get him to chamber a new barrel for you at the same time. After fireforming, send the unsized brass to Harrell’s for a full length bushing die.

I would start off with one bullet-a flat based because for me, they are easier to tune. Reach out to Bart. If you shoot a lots, buy at least 1000. You will not regret it.

As stated above, by an arbor press and a Wilson microseater die.

I would buy 8lbs of N133. Some say it is harder to learn starting out and I don’t doubt it. But N133 is the go-to powder. Buy one pound first and if the kit works for you, go ahead and get the 8 pounder.

Just another option is that his existing neck can be opened up by a good smith. Going this route, I think 800 rounds is a good time to freshen up the throat while it's in the lathe and from the same setup. I've done this several times. Just finishing one for a National Champ shooter, doing just this very thing.

 

[Ccrider]

Just another option is that his existing neck can be opened up by a good smith. Going this route, I think 800 rounds is a good time to freshen up the throat while it's in the lathe and from the same setup. I've done this several times. Just finishing one for a National Champ shooter, doing just this very thing.

When you say freshen up, what does that mean? Rechamber or something different?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Score shooting I would go with a 30 br.

 

[HTSmith]

Just another option is that his existing neck can be opened up by a good smith. Going this route, I think 800 rounds is a good time to freshen up the throat while it's in the lathe and from the same setup. I've done this several times. Just finishing one for a National Champ shooter, doing just this very thing.

Sir, a dumb question I'm sure, but the action on this rifle is glued in. Would that hinder a gunsmith from opening up the neck?