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6mm BR Norma H-4350

wildcatter

Silver $$ Contributor
We need some chrono readings, but 2900 fps under .3 moa with a 108 Elite Hunter has me think'n this could be a very well kept secret? Top target with 34.5 grains and cci-450 primers blanked 3 out five primers @2852 fps, top target. So back home with a slight scope adjustment as I was aiming bottom of the bull, and a powder adjustment and switch to Fed. 205M's and we are at 2896 and .267" for 5 shots. Only two loads I ever tried with this powder, but it is time to see what ES were working with, and then maybe some tuning?
IMG_8167.JPG 20220411_173132(1).jpg 20220411_171222 (3).jpg
 
How heavy is the compression? If you can fit all that in there without busting a bunch of kernels then it may be a good option.

I am using very light neck tension, .001" to .0016", and if I were compressing heavy my seating depth would be all over the place. even my new unfired brass is holding consistent depth. But you better dump these loads by hand!
 
Not me never used a BR in any competition, but intending to this season, putting a thump on anyone isn't likely, but would hopefully not embarrass myself.
 
So where are all the folks using 4350???? I can't be the only one trying this.

Interesting load, I admit it sure never occurred to me to stray far from Varget burn rates, with 107 grain class bullets.

I could definitely see running 4350 with the 6mm “heavies” if one had the barrel twist for them, given the proportions of the BR case are conducive to fast combustion.

I’m rediscovering .243’s lately as a result of what powders I have and need to use, and general bullet unavailability. In that regard I’m saddened that the original 115 DTAC is off the market, although I do have some on hand.

In that longer columned case, I can run slower power, at higher volumes, but I don’t think I get more speed or accuracy than RE 17, at say 40.0 with 115, coated. That load I put down a decade ago when my .284’s got running, and am only now revisiting it.

I can only say, again, it’s a shame those HBN bullets aren’t available, nor as bare. The 110 ATips are out there, but those are only very slightly less expensive than for example, the 300 .338 A-Tip, which I have difficulty reconciling out of principle.
 
Interesting load, I admit it sure never occurred to me to stray far from Varget burn rates, with 107 grain class bullets.

I could definitely see running 4350 with the 6mm “heavies” if one had the barrel twist for them, given the proportions of the BR case are conducive to fast combustion.

I’m rediscovering .243’s lately as a result of what powders I have and need to use, and general bullet unavailability. In that regard I’m saddened that the original 115 DTAC is off the market, although I do have some on hand.

In that longer columned case, I can run slower power, at higher volumes, but I don’t think I get more speed or accuracy than RE 17, at say 40.0 with 115, coated. That load I put down a decade ago when my .284’s got running, and am only now revisiting it.

I can only say, again, it’s a shame those HBN bullets aren’t available, nor as bare. The 110 ATips are out there, but those are only very slightly less expensive than for example, the 300 .338 A-Tip, which I have difficulty reconciling out of principle.
I would not have ever built a 6BR with the 1-8 twist on purpose, I favre the 1-10 for the reasons you stated. I always thought it was just meant for the 80 grain and lighter bullets, which is hiow I always ran.

But this summer I built a new 6mm Remington Ackley improved to make reliable hit's on small varmint, ground hogs and smaller, to the occasional yote. But after thinking I could drive these big 105 to 108 at 3300 fps and do it with the accuracy these guy's are using them to shoot 600 and 1000 yards breaking records with them, I slipped up on one fact!

After starting the project I called Randy Robinett to order some of his 104's for this project. At that time he imeadiatly said " I really hate to sell you them for that gun"? His next remark was I just assure you they will stay together at those "RPM's"!

This threw me thinking they are proven in a 1-8 twist, and yours are some of the best. Then he explained the extra heat from the speed, as well as how revaluations per minute, are a more meaningful measure of what they will take than the revolutions' per inch!

After a coupkle pounds of H4831sc and IMR 7828 two things became obvious.
1) I had no problem getting these 108 EH out the barrel at 3300 fps with change.
2) They liked right around that 3000 fps mark before groups started opening up!

So, not being a dasher fan,, and my smith not having a BRA reamer,, we cut the 28" .236" 4 grove Krieger that spent the money to have Kathy at 300 Cryo Plus to freeze for me, to a 26" and see what the 6BR would do for accuracy, planning on 2800 fps being doable!

Then after scouring and reading the very limited posts on using H4350 in this case. Seeing how everyone said they had less than stelar results, and not being able to get enough in the case, I had to try myself and fill in the missing why it won't work!

First thing seemed obvious, once UI found a time intensive way of getting 34.5 grains to fill just to the bottom of the neck, I had to be safe, because you can't get enough in the case to hit max??????????????

First shot looked good, a little low of my 95 grain and Varget zero, then the second shot, as soon as I fired it I smelled that odor and said dam you just blancked a primer! Sure enough I did, but on the Custom Axis action the bolt lift was light? so I continued. Then two shots and the hole is just getting a little bigger, with the last two shots blaking and each tearing just a little lower enlarging that hole.

It was late and cloudy, no wind but without the chrony I was like,,, well will this work or not. So next day rain, but very light wind, I couldn't stand it, so Back to the range, and between sprinkles I managed on chono reading without the ERR1 reading, the 2896 fps I said hell ya, but still don't know the spread I will be working with.

But wth light bolt lift, and this being a great powder for the 26" barrel, I am thrilled to continue to work with it. I have a few 5 shot loads ready to test when weather permits.

Anyway I think I know why all the glory these bullets get now are between 2800 and 3050 fps. And why use a 6 AI to drive them 3000 when this little BR likes to do it at 2900 fps? I'll have a new 1-10" twist here soon to build the 6x47L on to take the place of the AI, I just think running 65-80 grain bullets is a poor choice for any varmint at over 600 yards, so the 6x47L is appealing and probably see what I can get out of 95 grain Bibbs for my over 600 varmint needs? If nothing else, I'll have a great barrel for my next 6BR Norma when my reincarnated Pence 1-10 barrel sees it end!
 
Varget is still working for me but I will try H4350 just cuz you recommended it

I'm not recommending anything. I am just offering what I am seeing as promising. But I been loading long enough to know, if I can use a new Extreme powder with the burn rate of 4350 over Varget, in a 26" or longer barrel, I will reap some benefit from these burn rates in this length barrel. Trust me I won't be trying this powder in my 23" barreled 6BR Norma, and 1-10 twist barrel, Varget or 4895 will get the nod with the heavier bullets it is capable of using. and anything under 70 grains will turn to a faster powder like N-135.

But I think their is promise with some of these longer barreld, faster twist, heavy bullet slinging barrels with this slower powder?? Time will tell, but with 45 mph wind gust today and 30 mph winds the next couple days, that will remain to be seen till some descent testing conditions!
 
Could be because that load is WAY above published Maximums ???
Enlighten me, I have not found one PUBLISHED load for H4350 in any load manual, Maybe my data is to old? But even Hogdon doesn't show data for H4350 in a 6mm BR Norma.

I also know most won't use it because they can't just dump it with a drop tube and takes some care to use even 33 grains.

But if you think most shooting extreme accuracy disciplines are loading any Benchrest loads inside the suggested parameters in the books made for those that are not of full understanding of reloading, you ain't been to many big matches!!! For 35 years shooting the PPC in competition, I don't think I ever seen one of my loads listed in a PUBLISHED MANUAL,,, or anyone shooting on top consistently.
 
Varget is still working for me but I will try H4350 just cuz you recommended it
I have one pound of varget, found a keg at a local gun shop,,, (which I will never buy from, or go in again),,,, the owner would not sell it, but would sell me as many of the 50 $20.00 dollar raffle tickets as I wanted for it. So in an asinine way thinking people don't understand what he is doing,, selling it for $1000.00 dollars, another case of gun owners bending over gun owners, and I don't take to backdoors, or those doing it!!!

I had decent luck with the Varget, equal accuracy, as well as great S.D.'s But not quite the same speed in the standard 6br. This 8# I have was intended for a 6x47Lapua I am getting ready to build,,, but that project might be on hold?
 
I finally got a brake in the 30 to 50 mph gusty winds we have had for week. So last night after the second attempt at around 34.0 grains shown above, again with the Federal 205M's. I took another load out last night,, 5 shots that you see for Day 3, and 34.2, showed as good, maybe better if I didn't start with a clean barrel. that four shot hole is just .2" center to center, maybe .210" but I know better than to shoot any group starting with a clean barrel, but I am just getting some parameters set, to start testing now that I see what these two loads are doing, I am ready to start tuning.
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I can confidently say this jerked over Savage Axis will shoot! I am also confident that the H-4350, and Federal 205M's are going to be the ticket with this bullet in this gun. Both the bottom two targets, one at 34.0, and 34.2 have produced mid 2900's and S.D.s below 6.7 for 5 shots. I am working with the 34.0 and going to start tuning coming off the lands .005" at a time to see where this get's me.

I also have not seen anything that shows the 405 CCI's were to hot, velocities with both primers seem right there, but am sure with easy one finger extraction, and no craters on the Federal's this is not as high as I can go with this load, and the primer pockets and measuring the webs on the Lapua brass show the same thing. This and the fact that new Extreme powders are so stable I am confident by working up and down a couple tenths this will work from mild to extreme heat late summer.
 
I have to agree, this is a great powder for the standard 6BR Norma. Great SD/s and .250" moa's are normal! I took 2 loads out today with Bibb 95 grain BT's. I ain't quit smiling since I put the Axis back in the case!! Both bullets gave great results first trip to the range with them, literally shooting bug holes right off the bat.

Today 34.5gr of the H-4350 sounded about right, so I loaded 6 with Federal 205M primers just at touch maybe ..5" in. One extra to foul the barrel before I shot the first group, and the same load with CCI 450's Five as well. It was a slightly witchy wind, but not bad around 10 mph.

IMG_8178.jpg

Now I have a dilemma? Which one one do I try and tune? One had 6.9 SD the other 8.11 SD. and there was only 3fps difference in the two five shot group averages. right at 3050 fps. These are only 100 yard results, and I only have 300 yards to stretch it out. But with rain coming and a few days to work on other chores I will be stretching it out and playing with seating depth next, as well as neck tension here shortly.

But even if I can't improve this load, I will use it as well as the 108 Elite Hunter load that started all this! One thing is for sure, H-4350 is proving to be a great powder even in this little case!!
 

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