6 BR-DX pointers for newbie

[alphapygmy]

Looking for pointers in the right direction for this new to me cartridge, I usually do 6.5's. I chambered a Bartlein 29" .237 bore 8 twist for my Savage PTA. I throated it out to keep the bullets up off the donut area so I don't know the exact freebore length. Just started playing with it using 105 Amax to get it broke in. Hydroformed then once fired brass measures 40.3 grains of water. I've shot less than 50 rounds so far but with the Amax Varget shoots much better than RL15. Is H4895 worth a try in this case? After I get a 100 rounds through it I'll switch to trying 105 VLD and 108 BT. Any tips or pointers? Thanks!

 

[Eric Leonard]

yes H4895 can shoot well but work up slowly at it is pretty hot,,somewhere around 31.5 will be close to max,,my barrels really like 32.3 Varget and 36.2 H4350,,

it will depend on how good your firing pin fits the hole in the boltface on which primers you can use,,if it is loose it will crater with just about everything so you will have to use CCI450,,if you have tight fit and can use softer primers I had my best groups and ES with WW WSR primers but they will pierce if your firing pin is sloppy,,

my favorite load is the 105 VLDH orange box bullets seated .010 in the rifilings and 36.2 H4350,,Varget RL15 and 4895 have all shot well also but it seems H4350 shoots well in more conditions and I dont have to adjust my charge hardly any ,,

the longer neck on the BRDX will allow you to use the 95 87 and 80 gr bullets with the longer freebore also and is one reason I like it so much,,

BRDX brass is extremely stable and will last a long long time unless you go overboard with the faster powders like 4895,,

 

[tclaunch]

RL15 and Varget may be as far as you need to look, seems most folks find love with one or the other, just be sure you don`t try and make fast chrono numbers, the bullet usually likes 2950 to 2980 in the 105 class in this case. Load a ladder and use 105 Hybrids .008" to .012" off the lands and work up in .2 tenth increments out to at least 300 yds and watch for vertical to go low. Just remember you`ll never shoot a group any smaller than how tall it is. Test primers, BR4`s can be great as well as 450`s, and Federal 205`s make good numbers on the chrono when combined with Varget. Jump the 108`s .020", .030", and .040" fantastic bullet.

 

[alphapygmy]

Thanks for the info. I did have Gretan bush my firing pin and that did make a nice difference when it was a 6.5x47. I have some orange box 105VLD and 108 BT. I skipped on the 105 Hybrid as there was talk it needed a little more twist and I'm down almost at sea level. I was just surprised at how poorly RL15 did vs Varget. Almost 3/4 inch vs .310 inch for 5 at a 100 yards, two groups for each powder. When it's more broken in I'll do a good ladder, now I'm just getting some rounds through to get a feel for it. I'm sure the RL15 can do much better if I work it up properly.

 

[tclaunch]

Start low on powder and work up. Lots of folks miss the tune from to much powder chasing the chronograph.

8 twist works fine for the Hybrids.

 

[alphapygmy]

I'm in the .3-.375" range for 5 shots at 100 with 105 Amax and Varget. 31.2 gr is getting me around2875 so I'll keep working it up. I'm trying to get all 100 cases shot once before I break out the Bergers so it's just Amax's for now. How about IMR 4320? I have a few pounds and burn rate seems close enough to try.

 

[tclaunch]

I'm in the .3-.375" range for 5 shots at 100 with 105 Amax and Varget. 31.2 gr is getting me around2875 so I'll keep working it up. I'm trying to get all 100 cases shot once before I break out the Bergers so it's just Amax's for now. How about IMR 4320? I have a few pounds and burn rate seems close enough to try.

I'd certainly use the 4320, but for fireforming.

 

[alphapygmy]

Update after doing some testing at 300 yards. I have tried to verify my better loads at 300 and have 2 that are doing well for me. The Berger 108's at touch +.010 with 32.2 Varget and BR4's are doing good. After 3 different sessions I'm averaging right at 1 inch running 2978 and usually ES is around 12-14. The groups are more horizontal than vertical. I may try backing off the bullet a little and see what happens if I try a little jump. My best load is unfortunately the hottest. 105 orange box VLD at touch plus .012, 32.0 grains H4895 with a BR4 is averaging me 3022 with ES around 11-14. This load is getting me around .950 at 300 and very little vertical, around half an inch on average but I don't know how that will hold out to 600. I have 5 firings on these cases so far and the pockets are loosening a little but still feel like I'll get 3-5 more loadings out of them. My local ranges competitions start next Tuesday so I'll probably alternate between these 2 loads until a clear winner comes out. I've just been happy so far considering it's my first full build where I chambered and threaded my own barrel and did all the bedding and stock finishing. We'll see how it does over the summer. Thanks for all the pointers...

 

[alphapygmy]

A quick update. My 108 Berger + Varget load is shooting super. I had high score one night with a 200-14X and next time out in very nasty winds I had second for the night at 198-12x, losing out to a 199-4x. I think it'll do better as the 200-14X wasn't centered, one click down and left would have got me several more X's. Thanks for all the advice everyone!