6mm rem AI loads and powder

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

I finally have enough brass fire formed to start working up some loads. I started with some win760 and cheap 80 gr rem sp. I worked up to 48 gr no pressure signs I will continue to tinker with different loads but one thing I noticed was that there was still alot of case capacity left. This made me start wondering if I should be using a different powder to get the full potential of the AI case to shine? I would greatly appreciate any advice on this subject or load data? I will be trying everything from 58 gr v max for dogs to 95's for deer.

thanks,

 

[tazzman]

Good day Hack,

Your post got me thinking, (a dangerous thing, my wife says!)

• Is there a correlation on the perfect load for a given rifle/bullet combination between whether the case capacity is at or very near 100% or with a load that has, say 80-85%(meaning there is still space) case capacity?
• How do you obtain 100% case capacity for a given case/bullet and still be safe?

Phil aka tazzman

 

[RJinTexas]

These very questions are why a good ballistic program such as Quick Load is so very helpful, it allow you to look at different powder/bullet combinations at your slected oal. While providing you all the necessary information, chamber psi, fps, percentaage of case filled and percentage of propellant burnt. Sure has saved me a lot of waisted time and components over the last ten years. I've always found that loads that allow for a minimum of 80% - 85% case fill and burn 95% plus of the propellant are most likley to shot tighter groups.
For safety reasons when volume loading on my Dillon where I do not want to be hand weighing every powder charge for such as a prairie dog shoot, I prefer to rely on powders that will not exceed the maximum allowed chamber pressure with a full case of propellant, but still produce the accuracy needed. My Quick Load / Quck Target program is absolutely the most useful reloading tool I own.

Regards
RJ

 

[tiny68]

As stated above, each load must be work up safely for each rifle to get the maximum performance from your gun. I never played with anything smaller than a 75 Vmax in my 6AI and now shoot only the 95 VLDs. For larger bullets (95-105s) RE 19 and RE 22 have performed outstanding with my two 6AIs. Pushing a 58 gr with a 6AI will be a barrel eater but should be fun while it last. I burnt out a couple of regular 6 Rems with 55 gr Noslers shooting crows and it was a blast. I would recommend you take a look at the following link for many loads for the 6AI.

Luck, Tim

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/

 

[40X Guy]

As Tim said the Angelfire link is loaded with data and good reading. In my 8 twist 6AI I am strictly shooting 105 Berger's and Lapua Scenars, I am very mild on my load of 48 grains of RL-22, and the 105's are going 3225, with fantastic accuracy.

Of course your bullet selection may be limited by your barrel twist. If you have a 9 or 10 twist your rifle will love 87-95 grain class bullets.

I had no load development on mine as I selected the powder and bullets after lurking on here and doing a lot of reading and lucked out the first time firing my improved cases. My rifle is more of a long range paper puncher and once you see what your 6AI can do you will love it. Be safe and enjoy!

Frank

 

[Steve Blair]

The 58 V-Max is an accurate bullet and sudden death on crows. Not ravens, we can't shoot them here in California. So, of course, we never do.

As Tim said, light bullets and hot loads are a great way to generate gunsmithing business. I just put the fourth barrel on one of my 6mm Remingtons. This one went 1200 rounds of >4000 fps loads with 58s. They are fun, though.

Whether standard or AI, backing off a little from full loads will buy a little better barrel life, but few people select a 6mm Rem or AI for barrel life.

 

[1000yardstare]

My 6AI barrel was good for one season in F Class. Unfortunately last year, not this year. Shot 107 SMKs at 3250. When the barrel quit, it was like falling off a cliff. Great one day. Couldn`t hit a pie plate at 300 metres the next.

Depends on your philosophy. If barrels are just another component like primers and bullets then have at `er. If you want extended years of service then take `er easy.

 

[bozo699]

I have a 6mm ai w/a 1:12 twist barrel I shoot 65 gr v-max w/39.5 gr of IMR 3031
It shoots one ragged hole @ 100 yds it shoots the same load w/new brass almost as well as the fireformed brass. It still stabelizes them out to 600yds @ least good enough for ground hogs. I plan on building another w/a 1:7.5 or 8 for the 115s. Its a great round
Wayne.

 

[40X Guy]

Indeed it is a great cartridge, and thanks 1000 yard stare, as your posts came up whenever I googled 6MM AI in my planning stages and I am now getting my rifle ready for its first match coming up in 2 weeks.

Frank

 

[tiny68]

Just a suggestion, but I recommend making some 6AI brass out of 7x57mm Norma or RWS brass. When I drove Remmy or Winny brass hard I lose the primer pockets after 3-5 firings. I got a bunch of 7x57 RWS brass on clearance. I have only converted 20 to 6AI. Hard stuff. Some has 15 firings and still looking good. Just a suggestion anyway. Luck with your gun, Tim

 

[CinciJeff]

I'm using the load my gunsmith recommended - 75 gr. V-max, 52 gr. Vit N160, Fed GM Match primers. I bought 200 EXPENSIVE rounds of Lapua 7x57 brass and as many Winchester 6mm. Win shoots just as good IMO, and doesn't require the extra $100 worth of dies needed to size it down. Agree on the primer pockets though, the Win doesn't hold up as well as the Laupa.

Shooting a Richard Franklin 6mm/244 AI, Bartlein 14-twist 30" bbl, BAT 3L action, I'm getting 100-yd groups in the high 1's, best 4-shot group was .168". Speeds were avg. 3822 fps.

I just took this gun groundhog shooting for the first time and hit a 'hog at 1052 yds., so I'm very happy with the gun and the loads.

 

[rwk]

Have any of you folk tried barnes 80gr. ttsx, for deer. Rich

 

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

Well I have been working on some loads and here is what I have come up with so far 58 gr v max w/ 51.5gr of w760. there has been no pressure signs and I like the way they have been shooting .75" groups @ 100 yds with the occasional flyer. As for speed I am not sure I do not have a chronograph, but I would guess that they are right around 4000 fps. That will be a good varmit load. I have started working on other loads. 85 gr sierra hp with w760 started out at 45 gr, 46 gr, 47gr with no pressure signs and I have loaded up some at 47.5gr, 48 gr, 48.5gr. I will post my findings. The other load that I tested was a 95 gr sst w/ w760 but I think I would like to use a different powder for the heavier bullets.

 

[40X Guy]

This past weekend I tried some 87 grain V-Max's with RL-19 that I sorted by bearing length. Results were outstanding, I also shot 105 Scenars over H4831SC at 300 yards and had a spread of 15 with deviation of 6, this load I will pursue more for long range. All shot in my newly formed 7X57 Norma brass that I worked over.

Frank