6 XC Loading Questions

[paperpuncher]

With the scarcity of bullets these days Im hoping those here who are familiar with this cartridge can help me out with the learning curve. I have some 105 amax and 107 sierras I have some norma brass and a variety of powders . What is a good place to start in terms of powder, powder charge and seating depth in relation to the lands. Barrel is 8 twist Kreiger 4groove. TIA

 

[Topstrap]

I have just begun experimenting with my 6XC and shot it at our last 1000 yard match. I was using 105 AMAX with 39.2gr of H4350 with an OAL of 2.710". This was giving me 2725fps in a 15 1/2" barrel. Did work up to 39.8 and still had good accuracy and was right at 2800fps. Decided to go with the lighter load and less velocity.

Haven't tried it in a longer barrel but have seen where some shooters are in the 37+ area in powder charge. Those loads showed no pressure and opened very easily in my Target Action with McGowen barrel.

Good luck

Topstrap

 

[PALarson]

I have been shooting the 6XC for a couple of years, I coat my bullets with TS2 therefore you would need to keep that in mind and work up a load from a couple of grains light. Here I am able to get well above 3000 FPS and have outstanding accuracy using 38 grains of Varget. I know the scarcity of Varget and have just obtained 10 pounds of RE17 which I plan to try. Bottom line is 2800 although may be very accurate will be vulnerable to wind variations. Try to get up to 3000, you will find good accuracy and much better wind bucking.
Paul Larson Mid Range and Long Range High Master

 

[Laurie]

I've not tried the A-Max in the cartridge, but have used the 107gn SMK alongside the 105gn Berger VLD. Bergers were seated 15 thou' 'in', and I think I've got the Sierras 'in' too, but a little less than that.

H4350 around the 38.5gn mark is the usually advised 'go-to' powder and charge weight which gave reasonable results in my rifle but at rather lower MVs than I expected, in the 2,800s. Raising charges and velocities spoiled the groups. Going up to 41.0gn Viht N550 under the 105gn Berger VLD gave very small groups and MVs getting on for 3,200 fps (30" Bartlein 5R 1-8" twist), but pressures were too high for comfort. 40.0gn and above started to give tight bolt-lift in my rifle and that was in cool conditions. Keeping charges under 40gn didn't give as good results.

Finally, I moved onto Re17, and this seems to be THE powder for the cartridge, good groups, high MVs and no pressure signs. Working up to 39.0gn under the 105gn VLD produced over 3,100 fps with reasonable groups, and 39.0-40.0gn under the 107gn SMK ran from 3,100-3,200 fps with yet better groups in my rifle. I settled on 39.8gn after follow-up tests with the 107 SMK which was running at 3,180 fps and a single figure ES for 5 rounds. Temperatures were moderate in the low 60s F, so you might need to bear this in mind if you live somewhere hot.

Brass was Norma throughout with the Russian PMC LR primer, same as Wolf, a mild model. Usual warnings apply - drop a couple of grains at least in your rifle and chamber and work up.

 

[paperpuncher]

Thanks for the replies, Im going to give it a go this weekend and see how it shoots

 

[dansig]

I am using 36gr N150 behind the 108gr Berger BT Target, seated .015 in the lands

 

[shootone]

I have only ran H-4350 in both my XC barrels, so far with either a 105 hybrid, 105g vld and 105 hornady hpbt both have shot extremely well with 39 to 39.6g, My go to bullet is the hybrid but I bought a bunch of horndays and last i checked there were 108g bergers in stock.

One barrel is alot slower than the other and runs 2980fps, while the other runs 3050fps, 39.5g and 39.3g of h-4350. both are 27inches , .10 off in one and .30 off on the other.

also seems to be another node in the 37.8 to 38.5g range, i have found the xc to be very forgiving and easy to get to shoot, In fact I simply substiuted a hornday for a hybrid didnt touch the die or change powder charge and the gun shot sub .5moa.

best of luck

 

[PALarson]

Good shooting, I love my 6XC, I had no problem getting under .2 with mine my load is 38 G of Varget, must add that I coat my bullets with ws2 therefore anyone attempting to try this combo needs to start low and work up. Varget is getting hard to come by and I am going to try some RE17, I think it will work equally as well. I'll keep you posted.
Paul Larson

 

[paperpuncher]

Well as most predicted H 4350 performed very well. N150 didnt do well in my rifle. H4831 SC showed promise but will need more testing. So Ill probably stick with H 4350 I hope I can find some more