6 Dasher build questions

[Erik Cortina]

Dmoran, I have owned 6BR, BRX, and Dasher.

These matches you speak of, are they club matches or State or National level matches?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes, I have tried them all it seems like.

Like previously stated, I'm building another Dasher, but this time for hunting.

 

[lawrence97]

I tested a 6 dasher for a year a local Fclass matches from 800-1000. For calm days it was surgical and grouped very well. I started having issues when the slightest winds kicked in and then the wind reading skills kick in! My problem was that with high or switching winds a half decent or bad call would be a very poor score. Since then I tested a 6.5 creed and a 260 and they were a lot more forgiving with wind calls. Now I shoot a 284 and it is very forgiving with wind!

My dasher is set up in an eliseo tube gun and the recoil is non existent and it tracks smoothly in the bags.
If I was sure that the weather would be calm I would not hesitate to bring it out but as Erik mentioned its hard to get that over the course of a weekend or week long match. Instead of gambling I just bring the 284 although it has caused me some growing pains!

 

[johara1]

I think Alf is right we need to move on, with a tube gun it's single stack and they feed great. I never tried it with a 700 receiver with a mag. but he did and he said it works. the only thing is magazine length with a 105H. Accurate, low recoil, flat shooting Dasher will fill the bill…… jim

 

[alan98]

Thanks for all the replies. I just wanted firsthand confirmation that this does work, and thanks for that as well as the pics. I'm gonna do this build. Hopefully this is my last build ( I've been saying that for awhile now) haha I guess it never ends.

I think this will fill the gap I'm looking for. As I said earlier, I have a custom 338 lapua that I've had many 4-5" 5 shot groups at 1k with using the 300 berger hybrids. Many groups much smaller with vertical usually sub 3". Also I'll have the GAP 6.5 SAUM for more tactical LR needs. Great velocity, great barrel life, as well as very good in the wind. I have a compass lake Krieger coming for my MK12 Mod 1 so that will keep me busy awhile too.

The 6Dasher I will likely single feed a lot but like that magazine there if needed. I'm just looking for something to print nice little groups from 300-1k in good conditions, and it seems this is the ticket. I'm just not a BR guy but can run a rifle with bipod/rear bag very well.

I don't mind brass prep so now I'm currently researching what the best reamer/bullet combo is for the Dasher build. I'm stuck around .266NK .135 FB, and .268NK-.125 FB. I plan to try and develop a load with 105 hybrids or 108 BT. Seems they work well. I have bench source annealer, bullet pointing die as well as neck turner and trimmers so I'm good there. Can one of you point me in the right direction regarding reamer specs as well as a good source for dies? I currently run Redding bushing dies in everything else.

Thanks again,

Alan

 

[TonyR]

Can one of you point me in the right direction regarding reamer specs as well as a good source for dies? I currently run Redding bushing dies in everything else.

Thanks again,

Alan

I bought at Forster set including an Ultra-Micrometer seater and a FL sizing die. My chamber also has a 0.266 inch chamber neck and the Forster die works well with that chamber and up to 0.003 and 0.004 inch loaded neck clearance. I also wanted a bushing FL sizer and got one from Whidden Gunworks. It was much less expensive than a Redding and uses the Redding bushings.

 

[falconpilot]

Erik..we are friends and all but don't tell me it can't be done. With the right driver, it can and does compete. Not saying I'm the right hands, but I did finish well(15th is a long way from winning, I realize this) at 2009 F-Class Nationals..point of matter, it outshoot a BUNCH of much bigger guns..also seem to recall finishing second in a Texas Long Range State Championship, just behind Mann and his 7mm...but ahead of a bunch of bigger guns..I believe I recall the winds blowing so strong that weekend that I had to shot four targets to the left because the wind flags on the right were blocking my target because they were standing straight out...then, this year, I got my *** handed to me by the 7's/284's, on fairly clam day. I also seem to recall winning a Regional Long range championship at Oak Ridge, TN shooting my Dasher.(Proof accidents do happen!!)..btw...I've only managed to shoot 2 scores of 200 at 1000 yards.. Both with a Dasher...Chris Anderson fired a pair of 200's(11x on one 12x on other) at Little Rock, back to back relays..

Yes.. The bigger guns are hard to beat in the wind..you can't escape math, BC's and wind drafts, and day in, day out, the 7's and 30's do have the advantage....but, the Dasher can and does compete if you make the right wind calls...

I still believe that the 105 hybrid bullets are far superior in terms of vertical variations as compared to the bigger 180's..

 

[Steve Blair]

but, the Dasher can and does compete if you make the right wind calls...

[br]
Jim, wouldn't this statement be true of any ballistically viable cartridge?

 

[falconpilot]

Yes, it would..if it would shoot as accurate as the Dasher...it is inherently accurate, and many would agree, one of the most accurate rounds every designed.

 

[Steve Blair]

That certainly could be true. They do seem to dominate LR BR. I attend most of the national-level F-Class matches and state matches in California and Arizona. I just don't see Dashers win that often. To what should that result be attributed? Is it because most top F-Class shooters are not using them? Is the greater wind deflection vs. 7mm and cal. .30 cartridges responsible? If we accept that it is very accurate, there must be one or more other factors in play.

 

[falconpilot]

Steve

I've spent years fighting this dilemma.....The factors are that a missed switch with a Dasher that costs you a 9, might still be a 10 with a 7 or 30. Top shooters want every advantage they can get...the factor that it gives up wind to the bigger gun is a big factor, especially on our 1/2 MOA targets. This is why I chambered two 284AI barrels..To make a sweeping statement that the Dasher can't compete is just a little off bases IMO..your right in that they don't win a lot, but they do win..

Whidden and Tubb shoots the 6mm's at LAR and have dominated with them..

 

[Killshot]

That certainly could be true. They do seem to dominate LR BR. I attend most of the national-level F-Class matches and state matches in California and Arizona. I just don't see Dashers win that often. To what should that result be attributed? Is it because most top F-Class shooters are not using them? Is the greater wind deflection vs. 7mm and cal. .30 cartridges responsible?

Steve,
I think you spelled it out; when a bunch of guys got on the 7mm train it decreased the Dasher's numbers. These guys were winners with the Dasher before and they continue to win with the bigger cartridge.

This was my second year with the Dasher and in March I took the F-Open title in the Canadian/American two-day match and the following week's Long Range Regional (Palma COF) two-day match. The latter was in the heaviest winds I've seen at Sacramento Valley and the little 6 bested all the 7s and 300s.

Would I like to have less wind-drift at 1K? You bet I would. But the inherent accuracy and low-recoil are a combination that works for me in F-Open.

I think a Dasher repeater would be a great hunting tool, though I'd probably go with a plain 6BR just for simplicity's sake - at hunting distances the added velocity from a Dasher might not be required and the 30º shoulder might feed better than the 40º.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Jim, we are indeed friends, and I hope you don't take this as an attack on you, they are simply my observations.

No doubt the Dasher is accurate, my point being is that the bigger guns will always have an advantage over it and in top level F-Open competition you just can't give those guys an advantage. Dasher can win, but it's not the best option, and I know you know it that's why you have some 7mm barrels yourself.

In not 100% on this, but I'm pretty sure the Dasher does not hold any LR records in F-Open. Most records are set with the bigger guns, and that should be an indication of what does best in F-Open.

 

[johara1]

Eric, yes a 1/4 min. gun is 2.5" at 1000 yds. that would be without the condition influence, The Dasher is less than a .1 gun and that is 1.0"or less at 1000 yds. with out condition influence. The only think that i can compare to are the guns on the relay under the same condition and the Dasher moves a lot less than you state or they are asleep where the 7's and 30's aren't. It is all about aggs. right and i thing i hold a fair share of them with the light gun and i shot all ten matches at Harry Jones this year and my light won the ten agg in heavy and they are all big calibers, but i have all the stuff that doesn't work. A Dasher with 103 gr. bullets and frozen barrels and i even ruin the accuracy by pointing and i use that temp. sensitive RL-15 powder……. jim

 

[Erik Cortina]

Eric, yes a 1/4 min. gun is 2.5" at 1000 yds. that would be without the condition influence, The Dasher is less than a .1 gun and that is 1.0"or less at 1000 yds. with out condition influence. The only think that i can compare to are the guns on the relay under the same condition and the Dasher moves a lot less than you state or they are asleep where the 7's and 30's aren't. It is all about aggs. right and i thing i hold a fair share of them with the light gun and i shot all ten matches at Harry Jones this year and my light won the ten agg in heavy and they are all big calibers, but i have all the stuff that doesn't work. A Dasher with 103 gr. bullets and frozen barrels and i even ruin the accuracy by pointing and i use that temp. sensitive RL-15 powder……. jim

You must do terrible then! LOL

 

[falconpilot]

Erik,

Is all in fun , and I agree that the big guns have the advantage...windage wise anyways.

 

[Barlow]

I built a 6 Dasher on a Marlin X7 308. Rock Creek 5R 8 twist, 26". Randy Gregory put it together with the same reamer he did my match rifle with, and I can use the same Forster neck honed die. It feeds fine, the last round, may jump if you close it to slow, but if you work it fast, it works perfectly. My best group at 100 is 3, 100 gr Hornady's in .097, but everything so far is 1/2" or so with really no fine tuning. I love the 6 Dasher. Barlow

 

[BradY]

Down under we shoot our F class from 300 yards or meters all the way out to 1000yds or 900 meters. Its been a consistent thing that those who run the 6mm dashers and BRX's have outscored the larger calibers at the shorter ranges out to 500yds or meters if the weather has been suitable for the smaller cals. However many a competition you see those running only dashers fall apart at the longer ranges. But one thing is for certain if you dont start the competition with a possible score at 300 you are starting off on the wrong foot. Lots of people run the BR and dasher to make sure they shoot itty biddy groups in the X ring to get their possible score. Im one of them and will also use my dasher for LG in 1000yd BR when it starts. Not saying the 6.5x47L isnt accurate enough to do the same, but the improved BR cases are very popular for the short ranges where a big calibre isnt always required. The main problem with the 6.5x47L is getting cases here is impossible as there were none on the recent shipment and none due til well into next year.

 

[Changeling]

Hi Alf, I have posted before on this subject (not my post) but you are the first person that answered questions with definitive answers and knowledge. Thank you very much.

I am intending (Now) to build a Dasher on a Remington Long action rifle I have. I couldn't tell if your builds were on short or long actions, witch were they and does it make a difference in feeding the Dashers? I would appreciate any advice on building my Dasher you have to offer.

Thanks very much for the pictures and advice, I'm not new to shooting by any stretch of the imagination, just not a target shooting type guy, I’m a hunter, pure and simple.

I just received a message that says "this topic has been posted in at least 120 days. Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

To the OP I am very sorry for imposing on your post.

 

[lloydx2]

If coned bolt option is available in your build. You might strongly consider this.