6 PPC Brass

[South Pender]

I've just picked up a new 6 PPC rifle (Sako factory model) and am trying to get set up for loading for it. As far as I can tell, I have three choices in brass: (a) Lapua 220 Russian fire-formed to the chamber, (b) Norma 6 PPC, and (c) Sako 6 PPC. I can get all three quite easily. From all I've read, most shooters prefer the Lapua 220 Russian option, and so my question is just what makes it superior to the other two alternatives. It would seem preferable to be able to bypass the fire-forming operation by starting with already-formed 6 PPC brass--either Norma or Sako. I plan to turn the necks and weight-sort.

What have your experiences been with Norma and Sako 6 PPC brass?

 

[Lesloan]

btt

 

[CJ6]

I plan to turn the necks and weight-sort.

Are you sure you'll NEED to turn the necks? Neck turning is done when tighter (smaller) than standard chamber neck diameters are used. If you have a factory chamber it should NOT be needed. Getting the chamber cast and finding the dimentions will help you determine what you have.

 

[LHSmith]

It's either an amazing coincidence or I am having flashbacks about Groundhog Day - the movie....this exact same question was asked a few day's ago on this forum by your twin brother with the same name.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you weight sort or shoot full br loads in a custom chambered ppc youll find out real quick why we use lapua brass. Youll also find out why the others are readily available

 

[tenring]

I once owned the same rifle and it was not necessary to turn the necks.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

For the factory sako rifle the sako or norma brass will be fine with the pressures youll shoot.

 

[COLT45SA]

The SAKO chamber is very slightly different from the other factory chambers. However the neck diameter is the same as other 6PPC neck diameters. The extremely small differences will be ironed out on the first firing.
Original SAKO 6MM PPC-USA cartridges were loaded with a 70 grain bullet. I had a SAKO Vixen and reloaded using 68-70 grain bullets over H-322 powder. Very accurate. You might want to try VV-N133 which is preferred by numerous bench rest shooters.
I have a new-in-the-box 6MM PPC-USA neck sizing die by Forster that I'd be happy to sell you if you're interested.

 

[searcher]

For the factory sako rifle the sako or norma brass will be fine with the pressures youll shoot.

This is good advice. On a factory Sako chamber, there is no need to turn necks unless you just want to do so to even out neck tension. Most guys opt for the Lapua brass as it will handle higher pressures - but those kind of pressures commonly shot in custom actions cannot be safely shot in that Sako action. Since changing the barrel on your Sako can diminish the value of the firearm upon resale, I'd opt to not do fireforming and keep many unnecessary rounds from being fired. The Sako and Norma brass fit the bill here better than Lapua from that standpoint.

 

[wildcatter]

For the factory sako rifle the sako or norma brass will be fine with the pressures youll shoot.

What he said. I have a Sako 6ppc, and Norma brass is what it eats! My BR Gun a Bat gets a steady diet of Lapua 220 Russian brass ONLY!

You'll find the Lapua, even with a factory Sako neck will requier turning or will be to tight! It has a thicker neck than the Sako or Norma brass. I also run the Custom Bat action much hotter than I would ever think about loading the Sako!

I'd buy some new Norma 6ppc brass and get some 62 to 68 grain bullets with some N133. I was told to start at 28.5 grains and work up slow, 29.0 is silly accurate in mine!

I also recamend some 65 or 62 grain bullets built on shorter jackets than the 68 and 70 grain 6mm bullets. Mine likes the 65 grain Bib FB, enjoy the new ride!

 

[Rodney]

I wonder if he found that brass, lol.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I wonder if he found that brass, lol.

He said it was plentiful, nine years ago. lol!

 

[Rodney]

He said it was plentiful, nine years ago. lol!

My point exactly

 

[COLT45SA]

What he said. I have a Sako 6ppc, and Norma brass is what it eats! My BR Gun a Bat gets a steady diet of Lapua 220 Russian brass ONLY!

You'll find the Lapua, even with a factory Sako neck will requier turning or will be to tight! It has a thicker neck than the Sako or Norma brass. I also run the Custom Bat action much hotter than I would ever think about loading the Sako!

I'd buy some new Norma 6ppc brass and get some 62 to 68 grain bullets with some N133. I was told to start at 28.5 grains and work up slow, 29.0 is silly accurate in mine!

I also recamend some 65 or 62 grain bullets built on shorter jackets than the 68 and 70 grain 6mm bullets. Mine likes the 65 grain Bib FB, enjoy the new ride!

My 6PPC built on an XP100 action shot SAKO brass (neck turned to .262) extremely well. The SAKO brass has a longer neck than brass from other manufacturers. The load was 26.5 gr of H-322 over a Watson 62.5 gr BR bullet.

 

[wildcatter]

My 6PPC built on an XP100 action shot SAKO brass (neck turned to .262) extremely well. The SAKO brass has a longer neck than brass from other manufacturers. The load was 26.5 gr of H-322 over a Watson 62.5 gr BR bullet.

The Sako brass is very hard to come by today. But like the Norma brass, which is who I think made the Sako, not sure. But after a couple firings with over 29 grains of 133 powder with 68 or 65 grain bullets. The primer pockets are noticably loose.

Shoot at 30.0 to 30.4 grains like I do in my bench gun, and it's not worth reusing if after match winning groups.

There is a reason Lapua 220 Russian is so popular,,, it aint because it's cheap! But in this case, it is still probably the cheapest alternative, strong and uniform!