6 PPC Powder

[Hays25]

I’ve got my first 6 PPC rifle build about to be shipped. And I’ve got N133, Lt-30, Lt-32, IMR 4198, and H322 powder on hand. I understand N133 is about the best but is there a powder that’s not as temperature or sensitive to tune just starting out?

 

[Jareds]

I use h322 to fireform because I have a lot of it and accuracy is decent. n133 shrinks the groups up. With the powders you listed I think you’re good to go just experiment on which works best for your setup and stick with it. The mistake I made in the past is trying every powder, primer, and bullet combo searching for the best groups and just when I thought I found it the next time I went out shooting with that same combo my groups would fall apart took me awhile to figure out that the best way of getting consistent good groups is with using one powder, one bullet and primer and adjusting seating depth and powder amount for the different temps and whatnot. Also learning to read my groups after watching a video of Jack Neary talking about reading groups and many other helpful tips on YouTube helped a lot with knowing if I should throw more or less powder in my cases

 

[257ack]

Bullet seating depth should be your first priority. That being said most matches are won with 133. I have shot my smallest groups with 133. I have also shot my largest groups with 133. I know that I am the exception but I get better aggs. with H4895 using a loooonnnng drop tube. I have some of the original (faster burning) 8208xbr that is also real good for me. I have not tried the recent 8208xbr but I would load it like H4895. Be careful with H4198, I was at a match where Brady Knight was shooting it in the 90*'s and it blew a primer. I also have some of the pre h322 and I will try it the friday before the match and sometimes it is excellent. You will just have to tune for your self. My advice is to have .002 neck clearance .002 shoulder bump and the bullets just touching. After you get your powder tune you can go out .002 at a time to improve your groups. I hope some of this helps and I wish you the best with it

 

[jcm800]

H322 / Sako 220 Russian would fill the case to the base of a 68. Shot plenty of bugholes.
Didn't shoot firecracker loads either.

 

[257ack]

PS. I tuned for a bullet hole of vertical. This seemed to help as most matches are shot when its windy

 

[6bra1k]

why would you tune for vertical ??

 

[ReedG]

IMR8208XBR, LT-32

 

[257ack]

I meant to say a half bullet hole of vertical. Because most matches are shot in windy conditions and if you have horiz. in your group in calm conditions it will multiply in windy conditions. Say if all the flags are showing green and the tails are all about the same. It is better to blow a bullet that normally shoots .020 low than a bullet that is slightly on the side of your group. Matches are sometimes won by less than.005

 

[257ack]

and if the tails pick up while your shooting, hold a half bullet hole into the wind

 

[257ack]

IMR8208XBR, LT-32

8208 has been real good for me but I only have a few jugs of lot 1 and I hear that it has got slower. I would suspect that it now real close to the h4895. The lt 32 has only worked for me when it gets real dry

 

[jackieschmidt]

I meant to say a half bullet hole of vertical. Because most matches are shot in windy conditions and if you have horiz. in your group in calm conditions it will multiply in windy conditions. Say if all the flags are showing green and the tails are all about the same. It is better to blow a bullet that normally shoots .020 low than a bullet that is slightly on the side of your group. Matches are sometimes won by less than.005

^^^^^^^
in my 30BR Score Rifle, I do the same thing. Just a little vertical induced with the tuner helps keep it on the X in crosswinds.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have heard the "put a little vertical in it to fight the wind" the entire 25 years I have shot some type of bench game. I am not quite a believer. I try to develop round groups, I stick to the cone of dispersion theroy. I might not be correct but it has worked for me.

 

[Bronsin]

I'm in the same boat. A new {to me} rifle will be coming next week and I only have just under 1 pound of N133. Also have H322 and LT-32. Availability of those 2 near me is good. I also have 3 pounds of N135, and that's probably going to be my starting point.

 

[BoydAllen]

For a beginning PPC shooter, who is doing the whole thing, any of the powders can be tuned to shoot very small gorups (but I would probably skip the IMR 4198 and the LT30, at least for warmer weather). H322 is one of Hodgdon's extreme powders. I have gotten a couple of people started with it and under perfect conditions with excellent equipment both shot five shot sub .2 groups. Get a starting load from current data and test charge weights up to pressure signs, initially in .3 grain increments, with bullets seated so that you have rifling marks that are about half as long as wide. For the neck thickness for a .262 chamber neck (.0082 should be fine) neck tension of .002 will work. Never test without something(s) between you and the target, at about bullet height, with which you can observe the condition of the wind. Clean well including bronze brushing, with something like Butch's every 25 rounds or so. For the initial testing, three shot groups will do. For easy to find bullets that work fine, try Berger's Columns or 68s.

 

[WyleWD]

I’ve got my first 6 PPC rifle build about to be shipped. And I’ve got N133, Lt-30, Lt-32, IMR 4198, and H322 powder on hand. I understand N133 is about the best but is there a powder that’s not as temperature or sensitive to tune just starting out?

Being as how it is your first 6PPC, first I'd get 2-3 GOOD windflags and use them at every shooting session. Do a powder ladder of N133, LT 32, and H322 all on the same day. And in .2gr increments. On the N133, I prefer the lots made since Jan1, 2017. At least one of those 3 powders will get you where you want to be using Federal GM205GM or BR4 primers.

You may have to adjust seating depth or neck tension a bit to get the best groups and Boyd has given you sound advice on where to start out on those in post #14. JME. WD

 

[JEFFPPC]

For a beginning PPC shooter, who is doing the whole thing, any of the powders can be tuned to shoot very small gorups (but I would probably skip the IMR 4198 and the LT30, at least for warmer weather). H322 is one of Hodgdon's extreme powders. I have gotten a couple of people started with it and under perfect conditions with excellent equipment both shot five shot sub .2 groups. Get a starting load from current data and test charge weights up to pressure signs, initially in .3 grain increments, with bullets seated so that you have rifling marks that are about half as long as wide. For the neck thickness for a .262 chamber neck (.0082 should be fine) neck tension of .002 will work. Never test without something(s) between you and the target, at about bullet height, with which you can observe the condition of the wind. Clean well including bronze brushing, with something like Butch's every 25 rounds or so. For the initial testing, three shot groups will do. For easy to find bullets that work fine, try Berger's Columns or 68s.

Your obviously not up to snuff on Modern Loading Techniques. One should be jumping starting at a .020 jump going to perhaps as much as .100 jump. LOL, good advice Mr Allen altough have I done better with more neck tension.

 

[BoydAllen]

Your obviously not up to snuff on Modern Loading Techniques. One should be jumping starting at a .020 jump going to perhaps as much as .100 jump. LOL, good advice Mr Allen altough have I done better with more neck tension.

I call bullshit on both points having done what I advised with great success many times. Perhaps you are reading too much bad advice on the internet.

 

[Hays25]

As far load development goes, I follow Tony Boyer’s method from his book. It’s worked quite well so far. To give a little more background information, I’ve competed in score shooting the last four years at my local club. We’ve had three matches there this year with one today. I won two of three matches and placed third in the other. I say this to explain, I’m not entirely new to the benchrest world. However, I am venturing out to group shooting which what prompted the 6ppc purchase and the question on the powder. The rifle is a 268 chamber and I intend to turn the necks down to .265. Diameter with the bullet. I’ve got an order in with Bart’s bullets but don’t have them so I’ve also got some Berger columns and Bruno’s bullets for the time being.

I’ll try to reword my question a little. I believe the consensus is N133 is the best for shooting small groups but is temperature sensitive. Is there a powder that “less” sensitive even if the groups are a little bigger? I’m wanting to learn the gun and cartridge but try to limit frustration if I struggle with the tune in a match or practice.

 

[Mulligan]

As far load development goes, I follow Tony Boyer’s method from his book. It’s worked quite well so far. To give a little more background information, I’ve competed in score shooting the last four years at my local club. We’ve had three matches there this year with one today. I won two of three matches and placed third in the other. I say this to explain, I’m not entirely new to the benchrest world. However, I am venturing out to group shooting which what prompted the 6ppc purchase and the question on the powder. The rifle is a 268 chamber and I intend to turn the necks down to .265. Diameter with the bullet. I’ve got an order in with Bart’s bullets but don’t have them so I’ve also got some Berger columns and Bruno’s bullets for the time being.

I’ll try to reword my question a little. I believe the consensus is N133 is the best for shooting small groups but is temperature sensitive. Is there a powder that “less” sensitive even if the groups are a little bigger? I’m wanting to learn the gun and cartridge but try to limit frustration if I struggle with the tune in a match or practice.

LT-32 has been much easier to learn........ I started with N-133, in the middle of my first match I switched to LT-32 and found success. I did not win, but I wasn't fighting everything at the same time either.

Before that match, I asked a similar question as you have. James Mock responded, he said I should start around 27.5 gr and work up from there, I found what I was looking for around 28.3gr with my PPC and Barts Avengers.
Indeed, Mr Mock was correct.

Good luck

CW

Edit
I should add, from my experience, Boyd Allen's advice above is solid.
CW

 

[Tim Singleton]

I think some of the complaints about n133 is due to shooting it to light.
in any custom action rifle start at 29.8 as your lightest load and go up