I have read some threads about the best bullet for varmints in 6mm and they are usually lighter grains, anywhere from 60-80 grains. i am running a 6xc with 8 twist barrel and would like something a little heavier that will still fragment well. I see that the berger varmints stop around 80 grains and are flat based, is there a reason they go to a flat base? Also all hunting bullets in the 85-108 range seem to be tuned towards deer or larger game, would they still work well for varmint. Would i be better off with a tipped bullet to help with expansion or would the hollow points do plenty well at 2800-3000 fps. I currently have berger 105VLDH and sierra 90 TGK to load with. Thanks in advance for any opinions, i am relatively new to reloading and it was easier when you just went to the counter and grabbed something labeled for varmint and didnt worry about twist rate, velocity, and weight. although i think i will be much happier being able to tune ammo to exactly whatever i want.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
I think it'll largely depend on what kind bullet performance you're looking for. If you want something you can launch fairly fast, has a pretty decent BC, and rapid expansion so it blows em up I'd consider using the 87gr Vmax. I shoot the 75gr Vmax in my 12tw 6-284 and it flat makes a mess of things, it's definitely not fur friendly but I don't save that stuff so the bigger and messier the holes the better I like it.
If you want something a little heavier take a look at the Berger 95gr Hunting VLD, Sierra 90gr or 100gr TGK.
Just noticed you mentioned you already have some 90gr TGK's I'd give those a try first and see how they work out for you. With components in such limited supply and hard to find right now they may be your only option anyway.
If you want something a little heavier take a look at the Berger 95gr Hunting VLD, Sierra 90gr or 100gr TGK.
Just noticed you mentioned you already have some 90gr TGK's I'd give those a try first and see how they work out for you. With components in such limited supply and hard to find right now they may be your only option anyway.
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Agree with B23,.. either, the 95 grain HVLD's or 95 gr. Classic Hunters, will cut small stuff , like Sage Rats, in Half, but NO, Red mist or, "acrobatics" like, the 87 V-Maxes.
The V-Maxes, were NOT, as "consistent" groupers, in my Rifle as, I had groups from, 3/8" to 3/4" from my, 1-7.5 Twist, 24", 9 1/2 pound, 6 XC.
The 80 gr Berger, FB, Var'mts shot,.. very well ( ONE Hole / SCARY accurate ! ) as do, the 95's !
The V-maxes, do shoot nicely, in my .243 Win., Tikka, 1-10, with, N-160 tho,... go figure ?
I will save those V-Maxes for, Coyotes, in my, Light wt , .243 Tikka !
The Sierra # 1515, 80 gr BTSP's Blitz's, shot better than, the V-Maxes for, me.
IMR 4350 works Super with, Both 80's and I use, StaBall with, the 95's.
The V-Maxes, were NOT, as "consistent" groupers, in my Rifle as, I had groups from, 3/8" to 3/4" from my, 1-7.5 Twist, 24", 9 1/2 pound, 6 XC.
The 80 gr Berger, FB, Var'mts shot,.. very well ( ONE Hole / SCARY accurate ! ) as do, the 95's !
The V-maxes, do shoot nicely, in my .243 Win., Tikka, 1-10, with, N-160 tho,... go figure ?
I will save those V-Maxes for, Coyotes, in my, Light wt , .243 Tikka !
The Sierra # 1515, 80 gr BTSP's Blitz's, shot better than, the V-Maxes for, me.
IMR 4350 works Super with, Both 80's and I use, StaBall with, the 95's.
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Flat Based Bullets, USUALLY, out perform BT's to 200 yards or so, as they leave the Muzzle,.. Square and Perfect ! Equal Pressure, on the Bullet's, FLAT, "Base" !
I was looking into 87vmax and 95sst but there ballistics weren't near as good as 90 tgk. How well do the soft points shoot? There seems to be plenty of soft point spitzers around.
@ cowmooch,. The Sierra #1515, SPBT's shoot "real close' to, the 80 gr. F B Berger Varm'ts,.. about, a 1/16th inch, larger group at 100 yds But, MORE consistent than, the V-Maxes for, my Rifle. Haven't really tested them "side X side",.. but I remember them being, around 3/8 inch, Ctr to Ctr. and the Berger's shooting from, the .2's to .3's on one of, my "better", Days !
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Shoot multiple 6x47's with 8 twists that love 115 DTAC's.
Cowmooch -
Howdy !
With an OH address, I am wondering whether you intend to shoot " Soybeanus Digestus " ?
I shoot a wildcat w/ case capacity of 51.2gr H2O. Compare to 6XC capacity, which is a tad less, as I recall.
My rifle is chambered in my " DEEP 6 " wildcat w/ a 29" SS Broughton 5 "C"-rifled 1-8 barrel w/ Palma taper.
I first tried Berger 88FBs, but was unimpressed by their terminal performance.
I moved on to trying Berger 95VLDs and Sierra 95 MKs.
I am very happy w/ how the 95s ( more the Sierra's ) performed on groundhogs. I cannot say that I ever say that they " shoot through ", or conversely.... that they expand on groundhog.
I CAN say that the 95MKs kill them quickly w/ authority; and no drama.
My thought when setting up my DEEP , to ultimately have a great dual-role' varmint/target rifle/cartridge combo. The foremost goal was to have a rifle that was effective in either discipline out to 1,000yd ( or more )
To realize my shooting goals, I figured a 6mm 95VLD would make for a viable bullet choice, and thusly avoid use of the even heavier 105-108s.... which I figured would be more likely to " shoot through ".
Before my DEEP 6, I used to shoot groundhogs w/ my .22-35 Remington wildcat, chambered in a 28" SS
K & P 5-groove 1-8. I shot Hornady .224" cal 75 "A"-Max " in that gun, exclusively.
The step up to shooting 95 VLD 6mm bullets just seemed like a logical progression, to me.
With regards,
357Mag
Howdy !
With an OH address, I am wondering whether you intend to shoot " Soybeanus Digestus " ?
I shoot a wildcat w/ case capacity of 51.2gr H2O. Compare to 6XC capacity, which is a tad less, as I recall.
My rifle is chambered in my " DEEP 6 " wildcat w/ a 29" SS Broughton 5 "C"-rifled 1-8 barrel w/ Palma taper.
I first tried Berger 88FBs, but was unimpressed by their terminal performance.
I moved on to trying Berger 95VLDs and Sierra 95 MKs.
I am very happy w/ how the 95s ( more the Sierra's ) performed on groundhogs. I cannot say that I ever say that they " shoot through ", or conversely.... that they expand on groundhog.
I CAN say that the 95MKs kill them quickly w/ authority; and no drama.
My thought when setting up my DEEP , to ultimately have a great dual-role' varmint/target rifle/cartridge combo. The foremost goal was to have a rifle that was effective in either discipline out to 1,000yd ( or more )
To realize my shooting goals, I figured a 6mm 95VLD would make for a viable bullet choice, and thusly avoid use of the even heavier 105-108s.... which I figured would be more likely to " shoot through ".
Before my DEEP 6, I used to shoot groundhogs w/ my .22-35 Remington wildcat, chambered in a 28" SS
K & P 5-groove 1-8. I shot Hornady .224" cal 75 "A"-Max " in that gun, exclusively.
The step up to shooting 95 VLD 6mm bullets just seemed like a logical progression, to me.
With regards,
357Mag
effendude
Gold $$ Contributor
I've got (600) 88 grain FB Berger Varmints to try next weekend in South Dakota. Also (200) 87 V-Max and (200) 75 grain V-Max too, all out of a 1-8" 6XC. We shoot off the ground with bipods and no rear bags, they all shot minute of prairie dog as I like to call it, about 1/2 MOA
I'll keep you posted
Scott
I'll keep you posted
Scott
87gr Vmax, with the added RPM form that 8 twist they should really turn a varmint inside out. I used to shoot them, 87gr and the 88gr Bergers in a 10 twist 243 and I would choose the Vmax for "performance".
WyleWD
Silver $$ Contributor
I've been using the 6xc for 'chucks and coyotes for quite a while now. Mine is a 10tw. I've found the following bullets to work more than adequate on crows, 'chucks, and coyotes. 75gr Vmax, 80gr Sierra Blitz, and Sierra 85gr HPBT. The 70gr Nosler ballistic tips work great also but just guessing you have more freebore than I do so they may or may not work for you. JME. And, if you don't mind me asking, generally speaking whereabouts in Ohio are you?? Northern, southern, Northeast? WD
MS50
Gold $$ Contributor
Nosler 95gr ballistic tip hunting bullet. In a 6br, 30.2gr of Varget at 2950fps. Worked great on woodchucks to 500 yards. Beyond that, the wind gave me fits. Have used this load on steel targets to 700 yards. Beyond that not so good. This is a 1:8 McGowan, 26 inch. Couldn't get the 87 Vmax to do what I wanted in this barrel.
North central ohio, Wayne county
Unless you're shooting heavy weights or poor quality bullets the twist shouldn't be an issue. I use 75 grain VMAX and they're fast, flat, explosive and in terraced PA fields in wind good to 600 yards for varmints.
I read somewhere that it's easier to meet tight tolerances with flat base. Don't care about BC for short distances. Not sure but I think serious short range competitors all shoot flat base.
As stated, the 87 V-max is my go to when I absolutely need expansion at long range. Years ago I shot an agg. of .288 for 4, 5 shot groups, from my Kreiger 6BR varmint rifle. Not a bench gun, just my Rockchuck field rifle. Hard to beat the 87 V-max if you're rifle likes them. Quite a few coyotes at 500 yrds + had a very surprised look on their faces when lightning struck! Lol! Good times!
Paul
Paul
I'd TAKE, a REAR Bag of some kind for,.. TOE support !
I use, a Holland Field Bag for, Long Range, Prone shooting,.. ALWAYS !
Will get you, way BETTER,.. VERTICAL with, some kind of Toe, support !
Those 88 Berger's, should be very accurate at, distance IF, you can "control" your, Vertical !
Good Luck, and HAVE,. Fun !
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