6br 107 smk vs 95 vld

[appst2]

hi, i'm looking for some info regarding the berger 95 vlds. currently im shooting 107 smks in a 1:8 twist with .060 freebore (jumped .010). i was thinking of trying the 95 vlds as the base of the 107s sits below the neck in my loads. my question is, how will the OAL (or length to ogive) differ when switching from 107s to 95s. I was hoping that someone who has load data for both in their rifle, could at least give me a rough idea as to what to expect.

im using lapua brass, 271 neck, varget, and cci 450s. so id be interested in load data as well if you use similiar components, but really the difference in seating depths is my primary concern. thanks!

 

[JKLOSTERMAN]

the 95s will fit perfectly . as for the varget it will be good also.

 

[appst2]

thank you. i think i'm going to give them a try.

 

[jhord]

Of course this will vary with your particular chamber, but my data says the 95 VLD cartridge base to ogive measurement (w/bullet @ the lands, Hornady tool) is .013" less than the 107SMK. 1.807" vs. 1.820". The bullet base to ogive is .558" for the 95VLD and .671" for the 107SMK. So obviously the 95's will sit much further up in the neck. And generally I use ~ .5-.7grn more Varget/RL15 with the 95's. I like the 95's a lot. If you jump them, jump them a lot, I didn't see results until I was jumping them at least .040".

 

[queen_stick]

Both of my 6BR's have long throats for the 105gr+ bullets. With a 107SMK, the base of the bullet is about flush with the neck/shoulder junction to get a slight jam (.005"). The 95's stick out really far in the neck if I try to get them to touch the lands. They're barely being held in the case neck... can't be much more than .050", though I've never actually measured it. I can see the slight bulge in the case neck where the back of the bearing surface stops (the boat tail extends beyond that, of course).

edit: I found that 30.0gr of Varget, CCI 450, and the 95gr VLD jumped A LOT... shoots very well. Don't be afraid to try .100" jump, or more if possible.

Edit again: just noticed jhord had the same results with trying to jump the 95's... interesting!

 

[appst2]

thank you everyone for the data. tonight my "modified case" for my stoney point oal gauge showed up, and i was able to take measurements on 107 smk, berger 95 vlds, and berger 80 varmint. i took five readings from each box, just picking bullets at random. the five bullet averages came out as follows on my rifle:

107 SMK: 1.800" base to ogive
95 VLD: 1.787" base to ogive
80 Varmint: 1.791" base to ogive

it was reassuring to see my numbers differed .013" between the 107s and 95s just like jhord's numbers. 6br is new to me, and i've been trying to be more "precise" in my reloading and data logging.

i'm anxious to try the lighter bullets as to date I've only put 90 107 smks through my barrel (mcgowen rem-prefit with .271 neck and .060 freebore). my current "best load" for the 107 smks is 29.8gr varget, jumped .010", with lapua brass, and cci 450 primers. i believe there is another node around 30.8 or 31.0 that i saw in my initial 3 shot tests.

shooting off a bipod is giving me five shot groups in the .5xx" range. and i know there's easily another .1 or .2" in that load, that is just waiting for me to learn to be consistent with my hard hold, and controlling the recoil and bipod bounce.

i'll probably start development on the 80s next as i have a brand new box. the 95s i have are leftovers from my 243 days, and insufficient in number to do proper testing.

 

[WyleWD]

While you're looking at alternative bullets...... If that 107MK is working well for ya.... you might want to try some 95gr MK's as well. And if you really want something that shoots well in the 95gr weight bracket, try some Precision Ballistics 95gr. bullets. Either his 95gr VLD's (hunting) or just the plain ole 95gr boat tails for targets.
In my 6br that has the same barrel twist rate and free bore as yours, the Berger 95gr VLD did not perform as well as the two I just recommended. Lastly, if you have an extra Win small rifle primers laying around you might want to give them a try too. WD

 

[RDavies]

I,m planning on running 95s in my 6BR when it is built as well. Has anyone done comparisons with different primers with the 6BR, 95s, and either varget or H4895? I was thinking CCI 450s might be more than is needed and that milder primers might be better???

 

[appst2]

WyleWD thanks for the recommendations. I don't have any win primers currently, but could certainly give some a try. I've seen wolf sr primers recommended as well. Cr500, I did try substituting some CCI 400s in place of the 450s on one group, no noticeable difference in group size. A chrono may tell another story though. I really need to break down and buy one.

I'll probably test some 80gr three shot groups in .2gr increments this weekend. I'm thinking of starting around 30, and working up to 31gr varget (varget and RL15 are the powders I currently have suitable for 6br). Probably start jammed .010 to .015 and then adjust the depths and shoot five shot groups if and when i find a node thats showing promise.

 

[WyleWD]

Has anyone done comparisons with different primers with the 6BR, 95s, and either varget or H4895?

In my 6br, the R-15 and 4895 was my choice for powder. And, I checked several different brands of primers. In my rifle it was an easy choice......... winchester. WD

 

[appst2]

Here are my results from testing the 80gr Bergers w/ Varget this morning. All were jammed .012". All loads were tested with 3 shot groups @ 100 yds. I had loaded two groups for 30gr so I could foul the barrel with the first three, and come back to it later. No cleaning was done between any of the groups. The barrel was given approx 5 to 10 min between groups to cool. Temp was low 40s, winds were calm. Loads were all fired from a bipod.