6MM BR Load Testing 105 gr Berger 300 yds

[foxguy]

I went to the range this afternoon to test some new loads. 6MM BR, 105 gr Berger's, Laupa Brass, CCI 450 primers, Varget Powder. My Goal was to test for case pressure with loads from 28.5 - 30.6 grs. I was testing @ 300 yds, I used 28.5 for sighters- 5 loads, I chronographed the 5 shots and was very happy to see velocities from 2706-2721. An average of 2715, and a SD of about 6. I'm sure all of the reading I have done on here on brass prep helped me to achieve this. I shot 9 loads in total testing for Pressure ( I didn't see any Pressure signs. My 9 shot Varget load pressure Ladder test which was shot @ 300 yards tightened up @ the 29.7 to 30.0grs ( the velocity spread of these 2 loads was 10 fps)- This was the smallest step in Velocity in fps of all of the loads tested. I will be doing more load testing in this range narrow range shooting 5 shot groups testing in .1 gr increments. I wish I had a Longer range to test on, but 300 yards is it. I am doing this hoping to develop a Load to Shoot a 600 yard F-Open/F-TR shoot later this year. Oh the rifle I am testing this in is a Savage F-Class 6MM BR-looking forward to trying 600 Yards to see what I can do.

Edit to add 3 shot group size.

3-loads - (3 shots) 29.7, 30.0, & 30.2 , Velocities 2799,2809,& 2831. the 3-shot group measured about 1" over all size @ 300 yds . I know that these 3 shots don't tell the whole story, being only three shots, But it looks very promising and that is why I chose to do more testing in the 29.7 - 30.0gr range. Initially 5 shot groups of each load 29.7, 29.8, 29.9 & 30.0, again I will be testing @ 300 hoping that distance will help to identify which load to go with.

 

[JFrank]

I went to the range this afternoon to test some new loads. 6MM BR, 105 gr Berger's, Laupa Brass, CCI 450 primers, Varget Powder. My Goal was to test for case pressure with loads from 28.5 - 30.6 grs. I was testing @ 300 yds, I used 28.5 for sighters- 5 loads, I chronographed the 5 shots and was very happy to see velocities from 2706-2721. An average of 2715, and a SD of about 6. I'm sure all of the reading I have done on here on brass prep helped me to achieve this. I shot 9 loads in total testing for Pressure ( I didn't see any Pressure signs. My 9 shot Varget load pressure Ladder test which was shot @ 300 yards tightened up @ the 29.7 to 30.0grs ( the velocity spread of these 2 loads was 10 fps)- This was the smallest step in Velocity in fps of all of the loads tested. I will be doing more load testing in this range narrow range shooting 5 shot groups testing in .1 gr increments. I wish I had a Longer range to test on, but 300 yards is it. I am doing this hoping to develop a Load to Shoot a 600 yard F-Open/F-TR shoot later this year. Oh the rifle I am testing this in is a Savage F-Class 6MM BR-looking forward to trying 600 Yards to see what I can do.

Edit to add 3 shot group size.

3-loads - (3 shots) 29.7, 30.0, & 30.2 , Velocities 2799,2809,& 2831. the 3-shot group measured about 1" over all size @ 300 yds . I know that these 3 shots don't tell the whole story, being only three shots, But it looks very promising and that is why I chose to do more testing in the 29.7 - 30.0gr range. Initially 5 shot groups of each load 29.7, 29.8, 29.9 & 30.0, again I will be testing @ 300 hoping that distance will help to identify which load to go with.

I for will be interested in your results. On your ladder test did the 30 gr load strike the target above or below the 29.8 load ?
Just curious
J

 

[foxguy]

I for will be interested in your results. On your ladder test did the 30 gr load strike the target above or below the 29.8 load ?
Just curious
J

Morning Jim,

It was a great day for testing, 65 deg, cloudy & a slight breeze on my back.

I had a Load @ 29.7 & 30.0

29.7 fps 2799
30.0 fps 2809

the 30.0 load struck about 1/8" lower on the target.

 

[JFrank]

Morning Jim,

It was a great day for testing, 65 deg, cloudy & a slight breeze on my back.

I had a Load @ 29.7 & 30.0

29.7 fps 2799
30.0 fps 2809

the 30.0 load struck about 1/8" lower on the target.

Yep! Mine too- at 300 it was evident that my peak was 29.8
I tested again 29.3 and 29.7 at 600 for seating my final load ended up 29.7 at .016 jump although I'm using 107smk they like a little jump the results blew me away

 

[JFrank]

View attachment 1050175 View attachment 1050174 View attachment 1050173
Yep! Mine too- at 300 it was evident that my peak was 29.8
I tested again 29.3 and 29.7 at 600 for seating my final load ended up 29.7 at .016 jump although I'm using 107smk they like a little jump the results blew me away

I was going to test some Berger 105 but how can I walk away from that 5 shot group ?
I'll be looking forward to your final results.
Regards
J

 

[Link]

Can someone explain why the ladder didn't print as I would think it would? = The more powder the higher the impact. Thanks Don

 

[Cowtownup]

Positive compensation... Here is a thread link just to get you started...

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/positive-compensation.3890281/

 

[JFrank]

Can someone explain why the ladder didn't print as I would think it would? = The more powder the higher the impact. Thanks Don

Can someone explain why the ladder didn't print as I would think it would? = The more powder the higher the impact. Thanks Don

for me 30. Gr was past the harmonics of the barrel if that's the right term- More experienced reloaders on this forum would be a better source of information on that topic. I'm still a novice to this sport.
J

 

[Link]

I read the complete essay, went through a lot of labor for that baby lol.
I do see the 2 sweet spots at 29.3 and 27.7
I see where your impacts don't have to climb the ladder, however there is a node or sweet spot. I usually use .3 gr steps and may have missed that?
thanks Don

 

[JFrank]

I read the complete essay, went through a lot of labor for that baby lol.
I do see the 2 sweet spots at 29.3 and 27.7
I see where your impacts don't have to climb the ladder, however there is a node or sweet spot. I usually use .3 gr steps and may have missed that?
thanks Don

I've also performed ladder tests that are inconclusive for one reason or another like to much wind or me just not getting comfortable also just wrong combination of everything. Go figure
J

 

[foxguy]

I reshot 4 loads this afternoon. I'm perplexed as my velocities are about 75-90 FPS faster. The Humidity was quite a bit higher @ 80%. I believe it was about 55% the other day. Temperatures were within 10 degrees of each other so I'm fairly sure that's not it. The 4 loads I shot reshot were 29.7, 29.8, 29.9 & 30.0 of Varget. It appears that the 29.9 and 30.0 are the 2 loads I will have to test again they look to be very good with the 29.9 possible a little better that the 30.0 load. This is only the 2nd time this brass has been shot, bumping the shoulders back about .0015.

Load info 29.7 7 shots (I threw out the first shot down the Barrel) velocities in fps, low-2868, Hi-2876, AVG-2871.
29.8 5 shots Velocities Low-2887, Hi- 2892, AVG- 2889 SD 2.1
These 2 were the best.....
29.9 5 Shots Velocities Low-2897, Hi- 2901, AVG- 2899 SD 0.0
30.0 5 Shots Velocities Low-2900, Hi- 2906, AVG- 2903 SD 1.9

Consistency of all of these loads was very good. The 29.9 load had the least Vertical Spread, 30.0 was the next with the least spread.
I haven't chronographed a lot of the 6MM BR loads in the past but I'm very happy with these results. Now I just have to work on consistency at the bench in getting the shot off and wind reading ability.

 

[pat fulghum]

My experience with 4 barrels over the last two years can be summed up here...

6mm BR - CCI450, 30.0gr Varget, 105 Hybrid just off the lands
or
6mm BRA - (fireform) CCI450, 30.0 gr Varget, Hybrid just off
6mm BRA - (after formed) CCI450, 31.0 gr H4895, 105 Hybrid, just off

With either a 28 or 30" 1:8 twist from any reputable barrel manufacture.

If you can't get consistent 1/4 MOA with *ANY* these combinations shooting "free recoil", then it is either brass prep, reloading consistency, bullets not sorted by OAL, gun handling or scope movement.

Once you have that, then you can tweak it to get under 1/4 MOA.

Just my $.02 worth.

- pat

p.s. I will add one more to the list... put the barrel away after 2500 rounds... You might get more, but better to just go get another.

p.s.s. Use the first 100 round of the barrel to fireform your brass, don't try and do load development before 100 rounds.

 

[foxguy]

My experience with 4 barrels over the last two years can be summed up here...

6mm BR - CCI450, 30.0gr Varget, 105 Hybrid just off the lands
or
6mm BRA - (fireform) CCI450, 30.0 gr Varget, Hybrid just off
6mm BRA - (after formed) CCI450, 31.0 gr H4895, 105 Hybrid, just off

With either a 28 or 30" 1:8 twist from any reputable barrel manufacture.

If you can't get consistent 1/4 MOA with *ANY* these combinations shooting "free recoil", then it is either brass prep, reloading consistency, bullets not sorted by OAL, gun handling or scope movement.

Once you have that, then you can tweak it to get under 1/4 MOA.

Just my $.02 worth.

- pat

p.s. I will add one more to the list... put the barrel away after 2500 rounds... You might get more, but better to just go get another.

p.s.s. Use the first 100 round of the barrel to fireform your brass, don't try and do load development before 100 rounds.

Hi Pat, Thanks for sharing. I'm currently .005 into the lands and after finding the load I was going to start moving the bullet into the case starting about .003 off the lands. I really appreciate your sharing your findings with 3 barrels. I am looking all the more forward to trying the .005 off the lands.

 

[foxguy]

A little more info.... 300 yd load test

My 29.9 load had about .750 of vertical and about 1.375 of horizontal (5 Shots). There was a slight cross wind, but this 300 yard range is slightly protected on both sides by woods. I'm looking forward to testing the 29.9 & 30.0 loads again.

 

[JFrank]

I reshot 4 loads this afternoon. I'm perplexed as my velocities are about 75-90 FPS faster. The Humidity was quite a bit higher @ 80%. I believe it was about 55% the other day. Temperatures were within 10 degrees of each other so I'm fairly sure that's not it. The 4 loads I shot reshot were 29.7, 29.8, 29.9 & 30.0 of Varget. It appears that the 29.9 and 30.0 are the 2 loads I will have to test again they look to be very good with the 29.9 possible a little better that the 30.0 load. This is only the 2nd time this brass has been shot, bumping the shoulders back about .0015.

Load info 29.7 7 shots (I threw out the first shot down the Barrel) velocities in fps, low-2868, Hi-2876, AVG-2871.
29.8 5 shots Velocities Low-2887, Hi- 2892, AVG- 2889 SD 2.1
These 2 were the best.....
29.9 5 Shots Velocities Low-2897, Hi- 2901, AVG- 2899 SD 0.0
30.0 5 Shots Velocities Low-2900, Hi- 2906, AVG- 2903 SD 1.9

Consistency of all of these loads was very good. The 29.9 load had the least Vertical Spread, 30.0 was the next with the least spread.
I haven't chronographed a lot of the 6MM BR loads in the past but I'm very happy with these results. Now I just have to work on consistency at the bench in getting the shot off and wind reading ability.

That's great testing and lots of data to work with!
Me without a chronograph I'm limited on data so the target is my guide. However looking at some of your FPS 29. anything is humming right along and plenty for me. How wide do figure you powder charge window is before dropping off? Mines about .1 or so I've learned that vertical is my key piece of information and seating depth can tighten up groups retesting at long range than slight tweaks to further reduce vertical is my path.
Good shooting to ya
J

 

[foxguy]

That's great testing and lots of data to work with!
How wide do figure you powder charge window is before dropping off? Mines about .1 or so I've learned that vertical is my key piece of information and seating depth can tighten up groups retesting at long range than slight tweaks to further reduce vertical is my path.
Good shooting to ya
J

I was thrown Off when the Velocity readings were 70-90 fps faster that the previous testing, But it appears the 29.9 load may be a good one. I will have to retest the 29.9 and 30.0 loads with the chronograph again. I will try to get out next week and retest.
I think I will shoot @ 200 yds and see what the groups look like there.


It is starting to look like 29.9 gives me the least vertical, based on that I would think my powder window would be 29.9 +/- .1 But, I still need to do more testing. I may find @ long range it's 29.9 +/- .05 gr or something else. I'm still very new to long range and there is always a learning curve.

I haven't done any seating tests yet and from what I understand after finding the Powder / Seating that provides the best group you can still try primers, or tweaking your load a little to see if that improves your group. Long Range Group is the ultimate test.

Thanks, Foxguy

 

[JFrank]

I was thrown Off when the Velocity readings were 70-90 fps faster that the previous testing, But it appears the 29.9 load may be a good one. I will have to retest the 29.9 and 30.0 loads with the chronograph again. I will try to get out next week and retest.
I think I will shoot @ 200 yds and see what the groups look like there.


It is starting to look like 29.9 gives me the least vertical, based on that I would think my powder window would be 29.9 +/- .1 But, I still need to do more testing. I may find @ long range it's 29.9 +/- .05 gr or something else. I'm still very new to long range and there is always a learning curve.

I haven't done any seating tests yet and from what I understand after finding the Powder / Seating that provides the best group you can still try primers, or tweaking your load a little to see if that improves your group. Long Range Group is the ultimate test.

Thanks, Foxguy

Some fellas say that you can get a FPS jump from virgin brass to 1x fired, go figure' also you may have more freebore (more room for powder than I do )
How much vertical are you looking for at 200 ?
Don't forget to let me know your results with those VLD 105 s I may have a need if my 107 smk load falls off or can't find my lot numbers
J

 

[foxguy]

Some fellas say that you can get a FPS jump from virgin brass to 1x fired, go figure' also you may have more freebore (more room for powder than I do )
How much vertical are you looking for at 200 ?
Don't forget to let me know your results with those VLD 105 s I may have a need if my 107 smk load falls off or can't find my lot numbers
J

Seeing I'm zero'ed for 300 yards I would be about 4.5 inches high according to the JBM ballistic calculator at 200 yds. I dialed down 1.5 MOA which should be 3" @ 200 yds, leaving me about 1.5 " above Point of Aim.

Oh, I am shooting the Berger 105 gr Hybrid Target bullet. I understand it's a pretty good bullet for shooting out to 600 yards. The 105 VLD I understand is a better choice for out to 1000 yds.

 

[foxguy]

I went out and shot my loads @ 200 yards. (Monday Morning fairly calm conditions).

105 gr Berger Hybrid Seated +.005 into the lands and then -.005 out of the lands.

5 shots of each load with about 5 mins cooling time between firing next load.

29.9 grs of Varget , +.005 into the lands shot just a little tighter group than the -.005 out of the lands.

30.0 gr of Varget, _again +.005 into the lands shot just a little tighter than the -.005 out of the lands.


In both seating depth cases the 30.0 gr loads seemed to shoot just little tighter group that the 29.9 gr load.

The velocity of the 29.9 gr loads averaged very closely, the +.005 @ 2888 fps and the -.005 @ 2887 fps.

The velocity of the 30.0 gr load also very close, the +.005 @ 2906 fps and the -.005 @ 2903 FPS.

The 30.0 gr load avg'ed 16-18 fps faster and shot about .025 moa @ 200 yds, while the 29.9 also shot well the groups were about .037 moa.

Looks like I'm going to have to reshoot these loads @ 300 yards again, shooting the +.005 into the lands.

 

[Regnar]

That's really not a seating depth trst. with the hybrids you shed try from .010 in to .090 off in .010 increments to find a sweet spot.