New to 6br, a few questions

[ChesterS]

I know I can search but will get hundreds of hits!

I bought a 6br on a 700 action with a Brux 1:8 twist, should be here next week. I was built a while ago but has less than 200 rounds through it.

For Dies: Should I just measure the necks of once fired Lupua brass and subtract X amount for a neck bushing, any reason to full length size?

I shot Highpower for quite a few years and there were go to loads, bullets and powders for .223 / 308 / 30.06 Garand.

What is a go to bullet, powder and load to start with?

I have Varget, H4895, 8208XBR, 4064.

I have always used SMKs, stick with them or is there a premium brand bullets that are the go to for 6br.

Thanks for you patience with a 6br virgin.
Chet

 

[Ccrider]

28.5 to 30 Varget 103 to 105 bullet of your choice. Work up watching for pressure. Bart Hammers, Vapor Trails, Berger. Seating depth and neck tension matter.

 

[Ccrider]

If you want to try something different, 29-31 Varget and 87gr V Max. You might be surprised. Again work up. I always found a load between 30.2-6.

 

[EEP]

If you don’t know what your chamber neck size is I would measure a fired piece of brass. Granted if you can chamber a loaded round of unturned brass it is likely a .271-.274” neck. The neck will spring back after firing .0005-.001” so take this into consideration when trying to establish what neck chamber you have. Regardless, measure a fired case and get a full length Wilson bushing die. Measure neck wall thickness or a loaded round diameter. Get a few bushings .002”, .003 “ & .004” smaller than a loaded round, depending on neck wall thickness. Use a .2415 mandrel if you like.

For example…I run a 269 chamber. Loaded round measures .2655-.266“ I use a 262 and sometimes a 263 bushing and then run a .2415 mandrel. I use neck lube when using a 262 bushing. Good neck tension with either.

As far as load you will likely find a good load on the upper end of velocities with a 30.0-30.4gr load of Varget and 108 or 105 Bergers. The 108Boat Tail targets are typically easy to keep in tune with a 20-30 thou jump or an app. 10” jam. Can’t go wrong with CCI 450 primers either.

Keep in mind there are some variations in powder lots so work up to these loads checking for pressure signs as you increase charge weight.

Fun cartridge! Enjoy!

 

[ChesterS]

It is a no-turn neck. Berger bullets seem the easiest to find. The vapor trails are 500 bullets minimum.
I'm going to order 100 rounds Lupua brass to start.
Do the neck size dies FL size too or just neck size?

Thanks for the info / Chet

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

Yeap, another vote for the bergers. Hybrids or target Bts, both shoot well, (29.something) in varget will geter done! Probably could find the perfect load in under 30 rds.
I heard varget may be faster these days than in years past, so creep up to the +P. !!

 

[EEP]

It is a no-turn neck. Berger bullets seem the easiest to find. The vapor trails are 500 bullets minimum.
I'm going to order 100 rounds Lupua brass to start.
Do the neck size dies FL size too or just neck size?

Thanks for the info / Chet

Most do but not all. Make sure the description says full length or FL. Another option you’d be better satisfied in the long run with is fire 3 pieces of brass 3 times in your chamber and send them to Harrell’s Precision for a semi custom die based on your chamber. You’ll need to borrow someone’s die to resize and shoot 3 times of course. They work great, I’ve had many and never been disappointed. You can do a Google search and find them. Best to call and talk with someone before you mail your brass and money.

 

[WillFS]

Most do but not all. Make sure the description says full length or FL. Another option you’d be better satisfied in the long run with is fire 3 pieces of brass 3 times in your chamber and send them to Harrell’s Precision for a semi custom die based on your chamber. You’ll need to borrow someone’s die to resize and shoot 3 times of course. They work great, I’ve had many and never been disappointed. You can do a Google search and find them. Best to call and talk with someone before you mail your brass and money.

Full Length Die

For the best fit on Full Size Die – please call (540) 380-2683 Hardened stainless steel .002 undersized for easy chambering. Can be cut to length for short chambers. Comes in PPC, BR Remington, 6.5 x 47 and Dasher.

www.harrellsprecision.com

 

[JEFFPPC]

Listen to EEP. With the 6br I have been winning matches for yeas with Varget and 107 Sierra Match Kings.

 

[WillFS]

I like Redding or LE Wilson for off the shelf FL bushing dies. Try Harrels for something more custom.

A Berger 105 (Target boat tail or Target Hybrid) on top of Varget in Lapua brass is hard to beat.

Your 1:8 barrel will shoot the lighter bullets as well but you'll have to figure out which ones it likes.

 

[EEP]

Hey guys, edited my post with a couple corrections thanks a fellow member for pointing it out to me!

 

[joshb]

Be careful with using “other folks” loads in your gun. I found some of my guns couldn’t shoot past 29.5 grains of Varget with a 105 bullet. I got over pressure signs near 30 grains and had to pound my bolt open at 30 grains.
Work up carefully. Your gun, your loads. Not someone else’s loads.

 

[Killing Time]

I’ll let you know something I found out because I had no idea. If you were to use Peterson brass with the 6br, you’ll have to drop your powder charge 6-7 grains. Peterson doesn’t have the same water grain capacity that Lapua does.

 

[newbieshooter]

I’ll let you know something I found out because I had no idea. If you were to use Peterson brass with the 6br, you’ll have to drop your powder charge 6-7 grains. Peterson doesn’t have the same water grain capacity that Lapua does.

6-7 grains is a lot. do you mean .6-.7 gr?

 

[Killing Time]

6-7 grains is a lot. do you mean .6-.7 gr?

Yep, that’s exactly what I meant. My mistake.

 

[Paddyd]

It is a no-turn neck. Berger bullets seem the easiest to find. The vapor trails are 500 bullets minimum.
I'm going to order 100 rounds Lupua brass to start.
Do the neck size dies FL size too or just neck size?

Thanks for the info / Chet

I use Alpha Munitions brass in my 6BR and to date, nothing else I've used is better. The stuff seems like it almost never needs trimming. After 12 firings, I've actually " needed" to trim once. Very high quality stuff.

 

[snert]

Just pointing out that the basics are covered well on the MAIN SITE under the 6BR subtitle on the left hand side of the page.

 

[Webphut]

I use Alpha Munitions brass in my 6BR and to date, nothing else I've used is better. The stuff seems like it almost never needs trimming. After 12 firings, I've actually " needed" to trim once. Very high quality stuff.

I watched a video on them. They actually use a whole different method to make their brass starting with the brass cup or ingot. I grew up using a micrometer to measure case heads for pressure, but this method as far as I understand, does not work on their brass because of the different design. If you have any sort of machining background then you probably know what I'm about to say. Brass is kind of unique as far as how it cuts and flows when under different situations. I was going to say machining processes, but that doesn't quite cover it so i will leave it at just situations. For example, it drills different than steel. I was taught and still use this method to drill brass, use a dull drill bit otherwise it will suck the drill in and you will be wrestling a 200 to 300 pound drill press before you know it. When turning on a lathe, I cant count how many .001" cuts i have taken only for it to have grown .002" in diameter. Really funny material. I will never call myself a machinist, but I have machined a lot of brass, that does not include the 6ppc brass necks i have turned down either.

I used to have a savage model 12 f class rifle. I wish I never sold it now as I'm about to buy another. I never understood the reason why the f class has the parallel butt part of the stock and the benchrest model does not. I look at all the benchrest shooters stocks and I swear they look parallel, not slanted. anyways...looking forward to trying the brass too...sorry for wall of text.