6BRA gopher gun

[Alex Wheeler]

I have been shooting 34.5 grains of H322 in this BRA with a 55 blitz .010" in. Need to run it over the chrony and shoot a group with it. All I know is out to 250 I dont hold off. Too easy

 

[Ledd Slinger]

@urbanrifleman heres your 80 grain touching in a zero freebore. If you want to shoot this bullet I would go with a .060 fb. You wont be able to shoot the 55s but you will be able to run 60 grain sierra hp varmint bullets. Or switch to an 80 grain with a boat tail. The tips are both aligned even though from the angle I took the pic it doesnt look like they are.
View attachment 1045374

Is the BRA neck about the same length as the 6mm Remington?

Don't see why he couldn't shoot lighter bullets with a .060" freebore? I've never had trouble getting varmint bullets to shoot really well with a good jump to the lands. Flat base varmint bullets are especially forgiving with big jumps in my experience.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Your experience is different than mine. I cant get the 55s to shoot jumped, I went out one day and kept pushing them in until I was .125" off the lands. .5 moa kind of stuff. Put them in the lands and they shoot in a hole.

 

[AckleymanII]

Hunting partner and I worked up loads in temps from 65*-75*, then shot p. dogs and ground squirrels up to 95*.

I shoot H335 and AA2230 in the std BR, velocity is 3800+ and bug holes abound with 60g Sierra's, tiny, tiny groups. Gene Harwood, NBRSA Director and head Chemist for Shell Motor Oil, sat a NBRSA World REcord in the late 80's with H335 and his own 60g bullets.

H322 fouls MUCH quicker than H335 or AA2230...take that to the bank...proven on p. dog towns and shooting ground squirrels on alfalfa pivots with 250,000 squirrels on a pivot...did not move the truck all day.

We never ran into pressure spikes like you would think with H335 due to the fact that the tune widow was wide, and we loaded on the "tune" on the lower side of the powder charge range, used Rem 7 1/2. Peak tune was in the 3900 fps area on 27" barrels with zero freebore.

Starting off with zero freebore, you will get over 6000 rounds on a barrel.

Alex's comment is dead nuts, these small bullets like to touch the lands, how hard will depend on the Outfit, jumping has lead to more open groups.

I made my own benchrest bullets. When I had quit shooting registered matches, I changed the way I pointed up the bullets. Normally the bullet tip contacts the knock out pin in the point up die. I wanted larger HP, so I did not run the jacket up in the Point up die as far, cut a longer knock out pin where the pin would contact the top of the lead core. The HP was just ever so slightly larger than a Sierra HP, but when you hit a ground squirrel, it simply disappeared, GONE! A piece of gut rug may float down was all that was left!

For a factory made bullet, the 55g Sierra Blitz king is the most explosive. We shot 250 straight of every light bullet made in a 6 br with a velocity of 3850.

FEW would believe how accurate the light bullets are, and barrel life is beyond belief with H335 and AA2230(we bought the powder by the case).

Due to the speed, the 60g Sierra proved adequate to 400 yards in light winds, 3850 makes up for some BC, and p. dogs exploded well. In the Dasher, the speed is 4100 at the best accuracy node with the 55-60g bullets with AA2230.

We also used the H335 and aa2230 up to 70g bullets, but the trajectory seems like a 45/70 after shooting the 55-60g bullets. 65g V max settles in at 3650 shooting low 2's while the 70's are in the 3500-3550 range.

Everybody today has to be politically correct and shoot a non temp sensitive powder, but I don't like leaving accuracy with speed laying on the table, you just have to use some common sense on the load development establishing the tune window with H335 and AA2230.

If you try H335, in a BR outfit with a high power scope, don't be surprised if you shoot some groups in the zero's and low 1's with SD of less than 10 fps. When you are done, take the bolt out of the rifle and look down the bore..get ready for a shock in how clean it burns. If you tried H335 or AA2230 with the light bullets and did not get accuracy, you did not go hot enough or you were shooting in some really crappy wind conditions. Use Rem 7 1/2 primers(thick cups).

Hunting partner and I shot many cases of H335 in the 6 BR over the years with 60g Sierra's in many, many rifles, custom and re chambered cut off factory barrels. Zero freebore to .020 works the very, very best with these light bullets, and 60g Sierra's will shoot jumping a tad while the 55g Noslers do not like to jump.

I did an experiment when I was making bullets. I got to wondering what very light 6mm bullets would do. So, I made cores lighter where I would end up with 45g bullets, same .750 jacket as a 60g Berger. They shot simply fantastic at 4150-4200 in the 6 BR with 335 but would bleed off speed faster. I felt like the 55g bullet on a .750 J4 Jacket was about perfect, and with the boat tail cutting down on the bearing surface, copper fouling was minimal in custom barrels.

In 1990, the jack rabbit population was simply out of control. The hay farmers, and guys running feed lots with up to 40K head of cattle were having the hay stacks fall over from the hoard of jack rabbits eating the bottom rows of hay. We killed upwards of 3000 in a week, sniping them out in the alfalfa fields. We never cleaned our 6 BR's in less than 300 rounds. I got 10,000 rounds on the last Hart 14T barrel and it would agg five, five shot groups in the high 2's with 60g Sierra's when I screwed the barrel off...it had got to be a bear to get the copper out of.

I have pictures that I could post, but they would be deleted very fast as the bunny huggers would come unglued.

One rancher told us that we saved his ranch due to the number of rabbits we had killed. At night, he would drive us around the dirt roads that were surrounding the alfalfa fields. The alfalfa would be high right along the ditch beside the road. Rabbits would jump out of the high alfalfa as the truck approached(looked like a Large Mouth Bass jumping out of the water), we shot 4 cases(2000 rounds) of the old 3" mag lead shot duck and goose loads over a period of a week.

My hunting partner and I both carried a 6 Gallon paint bucket of 6 BR's full to the brim, 60g sierra's and H335. 1" groups at 300 is not unusual.

Speed makes up for a lot of BC to a point....I like launch time, and LONG barrel life!

 

[steve123]

I shoot H335 and AA2230 in the std BR, velocity is 3800+ and bug holes abound with 60g Sierra's, tiny, tiny groups. Gene Harwood, NBRSA Director and head Chemist for Shell Motor Oil, sat a NBRSA World REcord in the late 80's with H335 and his own 60g bullets.

H322 fouls MUCH quicker than H335 or AA2230...take that to the bank...proven on p. dog towns and shooting ground squirrels on alfalfa pivots with 250,000 squirrels on a pivot...did not move the truck all day.

We never ran into pressure spikes like you would think with H335 due to the fact that the tune widow was wide, and we loaded on the "tune" on the lower side of the powder charge range, used Rem 7 1/2. Peak tune was in the 3900 fps area on 27" barrels with zero freebore.

Starting off with zero freebore, you will get over 6000 rounds on a barrel.

Alex's comment is dead nuts, these small bullets like to touch the lands, how hard will depend on the Outfit, jumping has lead to more open groups.

I made my own benchrest bullets. When I had quit shooting registered matches, I changed the way I pointed up the bullets. Normally the bullet tip contacts the knock out pin in the point up die. I wanted larger HP, so I did not run the jacket up in the Point up die as far, cut a longer knock out pin where the pin would contact the top of the lead core. The HP was just ever so slightly larger than a Sierra HP, but when you hit a ground squirrel, it simply disappeared, GONE! A piece of gut rug may float down was all that was left!

For a factory made bullet, the 55g Sierra Blitz king is the most explosive. We shot 250 straight of every light bullet made in a 6 br with a velocity of 3850.

FEW would believe how accurate the light bullets are, and barrel life is beyond belief with H335 and AA2230(we bought the powder by the case).

Due to the speed, the 60g Sierra proved adequate to 400 yards in light winds, 3850 makes up for some BC, and p. dogs exploded well. In the Dasher, the speed is 4100 at the best accuracy node with the 55-60g bullets with AA2230.

We also used the H335 and aa2230 up to 70g bullets, but the trajectory seems like a 45/70 after shooting the 55-60g bullets. 65g V max settles in at 3650 shooting low 2's while the 70's are in the 3500-3550 range.

Everybody today has to be politically correct and shoot a non temp sensitive powder, but I don't like leaving accuracy with speed laying on the table, you just have to use some common sense on the load development establishing the tune window with H335 and AA2230.

If you try H335, in a BR outfit with a high power scope, don't be surprised if you shoot some groups in the zero's and low 1's with SD of less than 10 fps. When you are done, take the bolt out of the rifle and look down the bore..get ready for a shock in how clean it burns. If you tried H335 or AA2230 with the light bullets and did not get accuracy, you did not go hot enough or you were shooting in some really crappy wind conditions. Use Rem 7 1/2 primers(thick cups).

Hunting partner and I shot many cases of H335 in the 6 BR over the years with 60g Sierra's in many, many rifles, custom and re chambered cut off factory barrels. Zero freebore to .020 works the very, very best with these light bullets, and 60g Sierra's will shoot jumping a tad while the 55g Noslers do not like to jump.

I did an experiment when I was making bullets. I got to wondering what very light 6mm bullets would do. So, I made cores lighter where I would end up with 45g bullets, same .750 jacket as a 60g Berger. They shot simply fantastic at 4150-4200 in the 6 BR with 335 but would bleed off speed faster. I felt like the 55g bullet on a .750 J4 Jacket was about perfect, and with the boat tail cutting down on the bearing surface, copper fouling was minimal in custom barrels.

In 1990, the jack rabbit population was simply out of control. The hay farmers, and guys running feed lots with up to 40K head of cattle were having the hay stacks fall over from the hoard of jack rabbits eating the bottom rows of hay. We killed upwards of 3000 in a week, sniping them out in the alfalfa fields. We never cleaned our 6 BR's in less than 300 rounds. I got 10,000 rounds on the last Hart 14T barrel and it would agg five, five shot groups in the high 2's with 60g Sierra's when I screwed the barrel off...it had got to be a bear to get the copper out of.

I have pictures that I could post, but they would be deleted very fast as the bunny huggers would come unglued.

One rancher told us that we saved his ranch due to the number of rabbits we had killed. At night, he would drive us around the dirt roads that were surrounding the alfalfa fields. The alfalfa would be high right along the ditch beside the road. Rabbits would jump out of the high alfalfa as the truck approached(looked like a Large Mouth Bass jumping out of the water), we shot 4 cases(2000 rounds) of the old 3" mag lead shot duck and goose loads over a period of a week.

My hunting partner and I both carried a 6 Gallon paint bucket of 6 BR's full to the brim, 60g sierra's and H335. 1" groups at 300 is not unusual.

Speed makes up for a lot of BC to a point....I like launch time, and LONG barrel life!

You've had way too much fun!

Lot's of info to glean, thanks.

Was there ever a rabbit population explosion since then where you live?

 

[AckleymanII]

The rabbit explosion petered out around 1993 or there abouts, and it had been going on for quite a few years.

Squirrel populations are back to where they were in '93, ranchers are having a terrible time.

I wanted to add, that we hammered barrels like you could not imagine. We kept 100 rounds of ammo in two quart zip lock bags, put empties in a separate bag. We would dump out 100 and fire as fast as we could aim and acquire targets with up to 12 targets in the scope at one time. We cooled the barrel with water down the barrel, and poured water in the barrel channel of fiberglass stocks to act as a heat sink. You can easily fire 6 shots in a minute with a RBLP Panda and Hall B. I was worried about my glued in actions coming loose, but they never did.

Shooting hot and heavy teaches you what powders foul a barrel out, and which powders are easier to clean up, along with which powders eat up throats.

Poison has been outlawed for killing squirrels, farmers are going to have a really rough time as populations explode. Squirrels come out in Feb and hibernate by July 1. As water disappears in the dessert, rabbits will travel for miles to get to the alfalfa fields. So, the alfalfa farmers get hit by a double whammy.

 

[steve123]

The rabbit explosion petered out around 1993 or there abouts, and it had been going on for quite a few years.

Squirrel populations are back to where they were in '93, ranchers are having a terrible time.

I wanted to add, that we hammered barrels like you could not imagine. We kept 100 rounds of ammo in two quart zip lock bags, put empties in a separate bag. We would dump out 100 and fire as fast as we could aim and acquire targets with up to 12 targets in the scope at one time. We cooled the barrel with water down the barrel, and poured water in the barrel channel of fiberglass stocks to act as a heat sink. You can easily fire 6 shots in a minute with a RBLP Panda and Hall B. I was worried about my glued in actions coming loose, but they never did.

Shooting hot and heavy teaches you what powders foul a barrel out, and which powders are easier to clean up, along with which powders eat up throats.

Poison has been outlawed for killing squirrels, farmers are going to have a really rough time as populations explode. Squirrels come out in Feb and hibernate by July 1. As water disappears in the dessert, rabbits will travel for miles to get to the alfalfa fields. So, the alfalfa farmers get hit by a double whammy.

Thanks man, great stories!

I'm open to invites, lol. Poor farmers need all the help they can get.

Rabbits around where I live aren't very prolific and the PD's got shot out or got plagued, which seems to coincide with drought. However there are plenty right off the roads so they are safe.

 

[rebel]

This thread has help me make a decision about my new build. I am enamored with the 6 BR since buying one from a friend last summer. It's set up as a single shot hunter, but more for heavy varmint. I started purchases bits and pieces as I got the cash to build a deer rifle chambered in 6 BR. I think it will be the ticket for our southern deer. I had everything but the barrel and my smith suggested a cut down, rechambered Krieger 8 twist. The donor barrel is a shot out 30 " medium palma contour. I was on the fence about a used barrel, but I see Alex's results were great! My smith selected the barrel as the rifling is perfect. Can't wait till it is put together.

 

[urbanrifleman]

@urbanrifleman heres your 80 grain touching in a zero freebore. If you want to shoot this bullet I would go with a .060 fb. You wont be able to shoot the 55s but you will be able to run 60 grain sierra hp varmint bullets. Or switch to an 80 grain with a boat tail. The tips are both aligned even though from the angle I took the pic it doesnt look like they are.
View attachment 1045374

Thank you so much @Alex Wheeler. That was over and above for me

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its for for sale
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/6-bra-varmint-rifle.3950588/

 

[urbanrifleman]

Got my 6BR zero freebore reamer today!!! Woot!!!

 

[AckleymanII]

You will never regret having that reamer!!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

You will never regret having that reamer!!!

I love your posts man.

I just got me a 6BR zero FB reamer. I have a Kreiger 13.5 just waiting.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I always get asked how these light bullets shoot in the 8 twist barrels. The new owner of this rifle sent me this picture. This is fire forming with 65 grain Bergers. You might not go to the Super shoot with 1/8 twist but plenty good for gophers.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I shot that load of 34.5 H322 with the 55 sierra over a labradar. 3820 fps in 25".