6BR better than 6PPC for varminting? Convince Me...

[6ppcvarminter]

Hello Guys,
I have been looking at all the info on this fine web site with interest and am considering either building a 6mmBR or having my 6PPC rechambered, but I can't see any great velocity gains to be had.

My 6PPC which is built on a Nesika J with a 22 inch Heart 1/14 barrel shoots the 65Vmax at 3420 fps with 29.5 grains of N133 and it shoots in the 0.1's. With a 68 Stake RP it makes 3448 fps with the same charge.

Given the velocity figures quoted on this site I see go great gains to be had with bullets of this weight, having said that if I were having my gun built now I would probably go for the BR as it is much less hassel as neck turning & fire forming is not required and I could probably make the same velocity with less pressure.

I'm yet to be convinced that the BR is a better bet for 65 -70 grain bullets - your comments gentlemen please.

 

[jb1000br]

My reasons:

--I hate forming brass--especially MASS QUANTITIES sometimes needed for p-dogs

--I hate fireforming cases

--did i mention i hate fireforming cases

--i also dont like neck turning more than "required"

--better capability with heavier bullets--especially the 87v-max for varmints at e-x-t-e-n-d-e-d ranges. and the VLD's for LR matches.

So i guess specifically with the weight range you mention, it comes down to maintenence/prep required and RESALE on a NON-BR market.

YMMV,
JB

 

[Forum Boss]

My 6PPC which is built on a Nesika J with a 22 inch Hart 1/14 barrel shoots the 65Vmax at 3420 fps with 29.5 grains of N133 and it shoots in the 0.1's. With a 68 Stake RP it makes 3448 fps with the same charge.

Given the velocity figures quoted on this site I see go great gains to be had with bullets of this weight, having said that if I were having my gun built now I would probably go for the BR as it is much less hassel as neck turning & fire forming is not required and I could probably make the same velocity with less pressure.

We pretty much agree with all you've said, with one caveat. In publishing loads for the site, in some cases we backed off velocities that people were actually claiming because they far exceeded,by up to 150 fps) "max" loads found in the print manuals. The Sierra Load Map is particularly conservative in that regard. Point being you may get more fps with the 6BR than you think, particularly with that nice Hart barrel of yours.

Your second paragraph pretty much summed up the advantages. Take 6BR brass out of the box, chamfer the neck-mouth well,there tends to be a ridge or flare at the very end), load and shoot. Heck for varmints, get some of the 2230C powder,use AA2460 data) for $60/jug from Natchez, load with 58gr V-Maxes on a Dillon press, and shoot 'em at 3600 fps+. That's what Dan Dowling does. We doubt your accuracy will match the "1s" you're getting from your 6PPC, but .3 moa is realistic, with ammo that you can pump out at 350 rounds/hour on a progressive. No fire-forming, no neck-turning.

But you clearly know what you're doing. You've got the dies for the 6PPC already, and loads that obviously shoot great. It probably only makes sense to re-chamber to 6BR if you need/want to produce a larger quantity of loaded rounds in less time. If that's the case, go with a .272" neck, std. case, and consider investing in a progressive. We use an RCBS 2000. It's on sale right now at Graf's for $300 delivered--just in time for Christmas. Great press, with a super micrometer equipped powder measure.