6BR for prairie dogs ?

[Cbrown3020]

Hello folks
I just returned from my first prairie dog trip finally got it off my bucket list. My lovely wife booked the trip for next year before we left. So I quickly discovered that I didn’t bring enough horse power with me. My average shot was over 300yds. I was able to kill one at 407yds with my 17 Mach IV
And 388yds with my 20 Killer Bee. So when I got home I tore through my safe and found a 6 Br and a 250-3000AI. Thinking the Br might be the way to go but it’s a 14 twist old bench rest. Anyone have any experience with 70gr bullets I would like to be able to reach out to 500yds. Would this be possible with this setup? I’m trying to make what I have work considering I would only use it once a year. Unfortunately no prairie dogs here in Connecticut. Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Kevin

 

[djporter]

14 twist, get some 65 gr. v-max. & H322 and have a blast

 

[SVT_Tactical]

500s doable with 70gr 6mm projectiles. Wind reading will be a necessary skill at 500 with any weight so just learn the drift before going.

 

[BRGUY]

I just got back a couple of days ago from a prairie dog shoot, and I shot a 6mm Armadillo and a 6mm Bench Rest. Both barrels are a 1-14" twist, and both barrels shot Sierra's 70 gr. B.T.-H.P. Match King.

The furthest kill was 611 yards, with most shots being 300-400 yards. Very few close range shots, but that was why we had a lot more shooting opportunities.

 

[Cbrown3020]

Very encouraging guys thanks I just picked up 8lbs of Varget I haven’t been able to find any H-322 for quite a while. I also got some Nosler 70gr ballistic tips and 70gr Sierra Blitz Kings. Figure they would be a good place to start possibly try something heavier to help with wind?? I also have several pounds of RL-15 I could try. Anyone have any thoughts on these powder choices?
Again your thoughts are much appreciated.

Kevin

 

[Rook 6]

I use 75gr VMAX out to 500 with a 1-8 barrel. 30.2 gr Varget right at 3000 fps. Works very well in 6BR.

 

[Murray Brook]

With 64-70 gr bullets N-135 is a great powder in the 6BR. I believe you may have a stability problem with the bullets you mentioned in a 14 twist Both are longer than the 70 Sierra MK and 500 yds is a long way out. No harm in testing them.

 

[Cbrown3020]

Yes unfortunately I have a 1-14 barrel, I’m hopeful that I can make it work.

 

[Dan V.]

70 gr. ballistic tips and 70 gr. blitz kings both work in my 14 twist 6 br with 2015 powder I haven't used it for awhile. I'll have to get it out again. I have been using my 6 xc. I would try the varget in your 6 br.

 

[Larry Koch]

6 br yes. I used a 243 heavy barrel 75 grain sxsp.

 

[birdog]

14 twist will handle the 70 gr Nosler BT and 65 V-max. I use a 12 twist in a 6 BR and made many 5-600 shots with both the 6 BR and 6 Dasher. 12 twist Dasher and the nosler 70 BT has nailed PD's at 914, 950, and 975 yards for me. With the light bullets, Vit N-135 is the ticket.

 

[voldoc02]

One year Ole VolDoc decided to do a 6PPC PDog Safari
He loaded up 65 VMAXs in Lapua Brass into a
Speedy BAT Action .262 neck gun =N 133- 29.0grs(I think)
one hole accuracy=14 twist Bartlein=
shot most PDogs in the EYEBall= LOL
killed to 800 yds on less windy days=
killed 27 straight 400 yds in=
One of VDoc's
"Best of Times"

 

[Flyshooter]

Just got back from South Dakota a couple of weeks ago. Three guys took seven 6br’s all 14 twist.....Dude, I’ve shot a lot of PDs with about every caliber, BUT a 6br with a 55-70 bullet is our favorite varmint caliber.

I mean shooting a plastic tipped bullet verses a bullet with a large open hollow point, hollow points with smaller openings would be fine.

One guy shoots 65vm only and does remarkably well, I shot 70SBK’s & 55SBK’s both shoot fabulous and turn PDs in flying parts instantly & provide the noted popping sound indicative of an exploded PD.....very therapeutic.

Exploding PDs at 400yds?? Certainly, shot quite a few at that range, good optics, a good range finder and a decent pair of binoculars make quick work of PDs.

We do take a couple of 223 ackley improves which work good for 250 and under, although I punched more then a few at 300 with the ackley this past trip.

6BR powder for light bullets, big hole accuracy and highest velocity over the chronograph are noted below.
Reloder 7
LT32
AA2230
H335
I do have good results with other powders (n133 & h322) but trying to fine h322 has become an issue. Still other propellants shoot just as tight with higher velocity - That’s been my experience.......next trip will be 6BR’s again.

 

[bozo699]

14 twist will handle the 70 gr Nosler BT and 65 V-max. I use a 12 twist in a 6 BR and made many 5-600 shots with both the 6 BR and 6 Dasher. 12 twist Dasher and the nosler 70 BT has nailed PD's at 914, 950, and 975 yards for me. With the light bullets, Vit N-135 is the ticket.

One year Ole VolDoc decided to do a 6PPC PDog Safari
He loaded up 65 VMAXs in Lapua Brass into a
Speedy BAT Action .262 neck gun =N 133- 29.0grs(I think)
one hole accuracy=14 twist Bartlein=
shot most PDogs in the EYEBall= LOL
killed to 800 yds on less windy days=
killed 27 straight 400 yds in=
One of VDoc's
"Best of Times"

You two kill me!… it ought to be against the law to have as much fun as you two have together!….
Wayne

 

[SmokinJoe]

TAC powder works very well with 65-70gr bullets also.

 

[urbanrifleman]

If I did a 6mm I would shoot the new 80 eldvt. And skip all the others.

From my 6mm tests, the 70 grain bullets are great for 250 and in, and fall apart after that. The bc is just very low.

 

[Tommie]

I'm in the "lighter bullets are better" camp on this subject. After years of shooting the 87 V-max I'm switching to 58's. Mostly it's a recoil and muzzle jump issue for me. If I can't see hits and misses all bets are off. Yes, yes I realize lots of people swear they're watching impacts on PD's with their Creedmoor/6XC/6.5x284/etc and I take them at their word. Having filmed in slo-mo a 17 pound 6XC shooting an 87 V-Max I know where the eyebox goes during recoil. A 6BR with 58's is certainly capable of regular hits inside of 400 if the driver knows how to read wind. Beyond that distance...oh man I'll get flamed for this one...there are more appropriate cartridge combinations. Again this is within the context of prairie dogs. Paper punching is all together a different dynamic.

 

[Flyshooter]

Tommie - totally agree, BUT of course to each his own. I’m a fan of 70 grain bullets & lighter for prairie dogs. Repetitively, a prairie dog at 300 or less is a dead dog....I mean Dude.

A 55, 58, 65 or 70 grain bullet will easily shoot past 400 with consecutive hits. Done it. Watched it. Measured it. Continuesly expect it. Will do it again and again....

The one factor that changes the hit rate for all PD’s shooters is the wind, which doesn’t care what weight bullet your pounding down range. It can be a challenge for even the best dog/paper shooters with high wind that can change direction quicker then you can react.

In my experience lighter bullets in a heavy rifle with a muzzle brake is the most enjoyable. But some shooters don’t like brakes.

I must say I’ve shot lots and lots of prairie dogs, I used about every varmint cartridge at one time or another....... But, set up a few fellas or gals with tack driving 6BR’s shooting light bullets that know how to shoot them.....you’ll hear popping dogs all day long and yes at 400 and beyond.....never the less I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinion......merely state my experience.

There’s a reason I’ve chambered a pile of slow twist zero freebore 6BR’s.....the guys I shoot with would definitely shoot their fast twist 6BR’s if they they saw an advantage in the dog town.....perhaps the towns we shoot offer more dogs??

 

[JSH]

A fast twist and heavy rig in a 6BR and 65 grain at “Warp speed Scotty” gives dramatic results. Spell splat or lift how ever you prefer. Sounds like you dropped a ripe melon on a concrete floor.

 

[Cbrown3020]

If I did a 6mm I would shoot the new 80 eldvt. And skip all the others.

From my 6mm tests, the 70 grain bullets are great for 250 and in, and fall apart after that. The bc is just very low.

Will they work with a 1-14 twist barrel??