6BRX--Varmints Plus Deer?

[Tainos]

I am in the process of building a 6BRX -- this would be a combination gun that might be useful for varments as well as deer. Our lease has a lot of bobcat that always come out during the deer hunt--now that they are legal in Louisiana--I'd like to mount one--thinking of using Sierra's 85 grain HP game bullet, but having an 87 grain Hornady V Max in my pocket when Mr Bob comes along.

I was concerned about enough oomph in the BRX for deer, but the 85 Sierra is used in the 243 with good success. I'd be nice if the two different bullets hit close to the same point of aim--as shots can be up to 250 yards. Here's the question--anyone have experience with loads for the BRX for mid weight bullets? I've used both of these bullets with good success for their intended purpose in other guns--any estimates about what velocity I might expect in the 6BRX? What else should I be considering? What would be the optimun twist for these two bullet weights? Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Forum Boss]

Tainos,
The BRX case should yield about 120 fps more velocity than a standard case. That should put you about 3170fps with the 87gr V-max with a 25-26" barrel, Varget and CCI 450s. Keep in mind that every chamber/rig is different, so let's estimate 3120 fps conservatively. The Hodgon load manual is listing about 3200 fps max with a .243 Winch for the 85-87s with most of the popular powders like H4350, Varget, and H4895, so you're giving up maybe 80-100 fps. With good shot placement, we don't think a deer would notice the difference... A 1:10 twist would be our choice for the 87gr V-max, although we know some folks have shot them successfully with a 1:12. See this article: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek009.html

The author of the article, Fabian Mueller of Germany, is getting 3100 fps with the 87gr V-Max in a 1:12, Shilen barrel, standard case: "I normally use moly-coated bullets only. With the 75 gr V-max I use 31.5gr of N135 for accuracy or 32.5gr,3410 fps) for long-range hunting. Bullets are seating to just touch the lands. With the 87gr V-max, 32.5gr of N140, jammed 0.011" into the lands, gives me 3100 fps with top accuracy."

Caution: please note Fabian's load is for MOLY bullets!!

 

[Tainos]

This is going to turn out to be a great gun--enjoyed reading Fab Muellar's article--very informative--it gives me confidence about using the BRX on deer.

I have used the Nosler Ballistic tips on deer--often they don't punch thru,and leave a nice blood trail if needed), but the deer's insides leave small doubt as to the power then bring--if shot in the sholder--that quarter is almost always lost to jello. I wonder if the NBT will leave me with enough Bobcat to mount???

I guess the vmax bullet is the same--they work with explosive effect. What have you expert hide shooters experienced? What bullet shape/powder combination do you use if you want to knock down the critter and save the mount?

 

[SnakeEye]

Well...I "tested" the 75 gr. VMax in a 6 mm br this year on two deer. Both were hit in the boiler room and both dropped in their tracks. One was shot at 194 yards, the other was at 367 yards. There was a hole going in......nothing comming out.
SnakeEye
Varmints For Fun

 

[germanvarminter]

I shoot roe deer,22 to 33 lbs) here in Germany with 87 gr vmax and 85 gr Sierra with great success. But the roe deer is very soft and not resistent. As you can see on the article gun of the week No 5, I shot a boar with neck shot,87 Vmax). It dissintegrated completely. I dont recommend you to shoot the Vmax on deer. If you dont touch bone, okay. But if not? For bigger deer,up to 90 lbs) I use the 90 gr Nosler Partition with good success and I recommend it to you. It goes straight through the animal, breaking bones and destroying enough inside. Precision is enough for hunting.

 

[1wrightson]

Here in the UK, we have legally binding minimums for deer hunting. In England and Wales, the minimum muzzle energy must be 1700 ftlbs for all deer and at least 2400 fps muzzle velocity. In Scotland there are different rules, but for small deer, such as Roe Deer, their minimum is only 1000 ft lbs with a minimum bullet weight of 50 grains.We have to use expanding bullets anywhere in the UK, but any sensible hunter would anyway.

The Scottish law should be no problem for the Norma BR, but the energy part of the law in England And Wales could be a problem.

Can anyone offer any pet loads for hunting with the 6mm Norma BR which safely meet our muzzle energy requirements?

If not, I'll just have to apply for a permit to own a 6.5x55 Swedish or 260 Remington, just like everyone else who doesn't use a 243 or 308 Winchester.......

 

[6ppcvarminter]

1 wrightstone,
You should have no problems meeting the legal requirements of the Deer act in England with a 6mmBr, here's what i get out of a 22 inch Heart barrel in 6PPC:

Bullet Charge Velocity Energy

68 grain Starke 29 grains N133 3401 fps 1746 ftlbs
68 grain Starke 29.5 grains N133 3448 fps 1795 ftlbs
68 grain Starke 30 grains N133 3532 fps 1883 ftlbs
75 grain V-Max 28.5 grains N133 3251 fps 1760 ftlbs
75 grain V-Max 29 grains N133 3275 fps 1785 ftlbs

NB: These loads are safe in my gun, they may not be in yours!

I shoot everything from crows to Red Deer with this gun, having said that I neck shot the Reds. I believe that it is where you put the bullet that really counts and with a PPC or a BR you have control of that. If I were having my gun built over again I would go with the 6Br as you get more velocity for less pressure and no fire forming. When the Heart barrel wears out I will have it replaced with a 1:8 in 6mmBr.

Steve.

 

[M700]

My son shot his first deer this past season, with a 95 grain Nosler ballistic tip, downloaded to 2750 fps mv. 6mm Rem case, 22" sporter barrel. One shot, through the heart, at a laser-ranged 274 yards. I am pretty proud of him, and we were both impressed at the quick clean kill from the little 6mm, even at such modest velocity. The bullet entered the chest, penetrated the heart, took out a lung, then broke the off-side leg on the way out. Deer was down immediately. If a 95 grain 6mm bullet can do this at a mere 2750 fps, I'd think the 6BRX loaded well and shot well would be up to the job. Regards Guy

 

[1wrightson]

Thanks to all for their input!