Bolt gun vs gas gun

[Leo_B]

Got an email from Ruger and clicked through to the American Gen II Predator. Looking at all the calibers available, stopped on 6mm ARC. Hornady explicitly lists recipes for bolt and for gas. They carefully and STRONGLY point out the bolt gun loads can only be used in the stronger bolt guns that handle the pressure. Makes total sense.

But could you use the gas gun loads with the lower pressure in the bolt rifle? I would think the much lower pressure would be easier on the rifle and extend the lifespan of both barrel and action? Or would the lower pressure somehow be a bad thing in the stronger gun?

 

[Albany Mountain]

No problem, you can use the gas gun loads in your boat Rifle easily

 

[Straightshooter1]

Got an email from Ruger and clicked through to the American Gen II Predator. Looking at all the calibers available, stopped on 6mm ARC. Hornady explicitly lists recipes for bolt and for gas. They carefully and STRONGLY point out the bolt gun loads can only be used in the stronger bolt guns that handle the pressure. Makes total sense.

But could you use the gas gun loads with the lower pressure in the bolt rifle? I would think the much lower pressure would be easier on the rifle and extend the lifespan of both barrel and action? Or would the lower pressure somehow be a bad thing in the stronger gun?

Yes, you can use lower pressure gas gun loads in bolt rifles with no problem. The SAAMI max difference is ~10,000 psi. Gas gun loads will be considered on the somewhat low side for bolt rifles. Low pressure loads are often used by those shooters who are after sub-sonic loads. What you don't want is too low load density. . . too little powder to fill the case below 85% case capacity, which can cause various ignition problems.

 

[243winxb]

6mm ARC

https://sierrabullets.com/load-data/

Note pressure difference between bolt & gas. (Bottom of page.)

Lower pressure in a bolt should be ok.

 

[ELR LVR]

Got an email from Ruger and clicked through to the American Gen II Predator. Looking at all the calibers available, stopped on 6mm ARC. Hornady explicitly lists recipes for bolt and for gas. They carefully and STRONGLY point out the bolt gun loads can only be used in the stronger bolt guns that handle the pressure. Makes total sense.

But could you use the gas gun loads with the lower pressure in the bolt rifle? I would think the much lower pressure would be easier on the rifle and extend the lifespan of both barrel and action? Or would the lower pressure somehow be a bad thing in the stronger gun?

the lower gas gun loads will be fine in the bolt gun
as you predicted, will be easier on the rifle also

 

[Fast14riot]

It'll be way easier on the brass too. I'm a fan of low nodes. They're usually much more stable and don't wreck your brass.

 

[Leo_B]

Thank you all for the great responses so far. They confirm what I thought. I also thought it would help the lifespan of the brass as well as the rifle. And I presume reduce recoil as well, although not positive on that one. Enough positives to add the caliber to my suspect list for next year's new rifle. Thanks again.

 

[SKWERLZ]

6 arc is pretty fun.

 

[dellet]

You will see this also for a few other cartridges, 45-70 is probably the best example as a black powder cartridge shot in modern rifles. Lists are Trapdoor, modern lever and Ruger, based on action strength.

The other place for you to be aware of will be your revolvers for the same reason. There will be Ruger or strong action loads. That was kind of the reason behind +p loads. But Any cartridge that was designed as a black powder cartridge and used in a gun design of the era is worth a second look at the load data. Your 32 S&W long, is a candidate.

Stay safe